Liberty Fellowship seeks next class of leaders

Liberty Fellowship is quietly shaping a different kind of leadership in South Carolina,
leadership built on curiosity, reflection, and a willingness to engage across differences.
This mission, according to CEO Tycely Williams, is more important now than ever as the organization opens nominations for its next class of fellows, with a deadline of Jan. 31.
“The purpose is to bring community leaders together to learn from people they probably would not meet otherwise,” said Williams. “It’s important to us that people from rural communities are in the same session with people from metropolitan areas, that a farmer can learn from a doctor, and a doctor can learn from a farmer.”
Each fellowship class has no more than 22 participants selected from across South Carolina. Fellows commit to a 14- to 16-month experience that includes structured learning days in cities such as Spartanburg, Columbia, and Fort Mill, providing participants with exposure to different regions and perspectives across the state.
The program centers on shared readings and guided discussions that span history, philosophy, and contemporary works.
Fellows come prepared not just to discuss what they’ve read, Williams said, but to connect those ideas to real challenges unfolding in their own communities.
“We talk about what people felt as a result of the reading and how it’s relevant to problems they’re trying to solve locally,” she said. “There’s value in what people have learned through their careers and through meaningful volunteer experiences, and we want to create space for that.”
Beyond South Carolina, fellows also participate in a global learning experience that connects them with leaders from around the world.
“You realize pretty quickly that you have a lot in common with people you thought were very different,” said Williams. “Once you start talking about human experiences, the distance doesn’t matter as much.”
When selecting fellows, Liberty Fellowship looks less at job titles and more at mindset.
Williams said the strongest candidates are lifelong learners who are open to having their ideas challenged and who are willing to engage in thoughtful dialogue without needing to “win” an argument.
“We’re looking for people who are curious, not judgmental, and comfortable talking about social and economic issues,” she said. “It’s about understanding difference and being willing to work toward compromise for the good of your community or the state.”
Fellows must also demonstrate a strong sense of civic responsibility. As part of the program, each participant designs a community-based project that leverages their skills to meet a local need.
Past projects have ranged from after-school programs to health clinics and support services for farmers dealing with stress and economic uncertainty.
“We encourage people to think about what their community could really benefit from and how they can help bring that to life,” said Williams.
Ultimately, Williams hopes the next class of fellows will leave a lasting legacy of trust and civility across South Carolina.
“There’s a lot of division right now, and that division hurts us,” she said. “We want people to see that difference adds value. Add we’re stronger when we’re not polarized and when we treat one another with respect.”
For Williams, partnerships with local media and community organizations are key to ensuring the opportunity reaches every corner of the state, particularly in rural counties where leadership development programs are often less visible.
“We want people to know this is for them, too,” she said. “Liberty Fellowship exists to help people connect, reflect, and lead in ways that benefit all of South Carolina.”
More information, including the nomination form, selection criteria, and process overview, is available at libertyfellowshipsc.org/nominate.