Policy Fellows: 2008-2009 Policy Fellows Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

(download program brochure)

The Policy Fellows program offers practical training in public affairs leadership for emerging leaders seeking new experiences and skills. The program equips participants with three core leadership competencies to inspire, organize, and work effectively with others to advance the public good:

Mindfulness:
Assessing personal leadership style, understanding others, and taking informed risks

Strategic effectiveness in context:
Diagnosing opportunities and constraints, influencing the legislative and political process, and working effectively across public, private, and nonprofit sectors

Persuasion and collective action:
Negotiation and conflict management, building collaborative relationships with allies, and communicating persuasively and effectively

Over the past 18 years, the Policy Fellows program has trained over 500 Minnesotans, many of whom are now influential figures in their communities. Begun in 1990 by Vice President Walter Mondale and Ambassador Geri Joseph, the program was directed for a dozen years by former congressmen Tim Penny and Vin Weber. Today, nationally prominent political science professor Lawrence Jacobs directs the program, continuing the tradition of training the best and brightest emerging leaders in Minnesota. Program activities are conducted by recognized leaders from business, government, and nonprofit organizations, as well as experts from the University of Minnesota and academic institutions around the country.

PROGRAM FEATURES

A next step in leadership:
Policy Fellows challenge themselves. They demonstrate leadership in their work and community activities, and exhibit initiative, curiosity, openness to new ideas and concepts, and problem-solving skills. Each year, up to 40 leaders from government, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations from around the state are selected through a competitive application process.

Focus on practical leadership skill development:
Monthly sessions explore fundamental aspects of leadership, with presentations by local and nationally recognized experts followed by discussion and skill-building activities. Over the course of the program, participants integrate their new skills into their professional lives.

A diverse cohort:
The opportunity to interact and form relationships with others from a variety of professional, personal, cultural, and political backgrounds is a defining feature of the program and exposes Policy Fellows to a remarkable opportunity. Candidates from Greater Minnesota are especially encouraged to apply. (Policy Fellows from Greater Minnesota are reimbursed for program-related travel expenses.)

A nine-month commitment:
The Policy Fellows program requires participants to make a commitment to reflection, study, and the development of skills and new relationships. Fellows meet once a month as a group between September and early June, and travel to Washington, D.C., for a multi-day study trip with prominent elected officials and national leaders in public affairs. Fellows also engage in a group project of their own design, working with community partners to address a public policy issue. Policy Fellows can expect to spend 10 to 15 hours per month on activities related to the program.

Connection to a statewide peer network:
An important benefit of the program is continued interaction with over 500 past program participants statewide. Through this network, Policy Fellows are connected to a wide array of public affairs programming, professional opportunities, and a larger public affairs community.

Policy Fellows alumni hold notable positions across sectors. Examples include:

• U.S. senator
• Small business owner
• Political reporter
• Cultural relations liaison
• Judge
• State legislator
• Corporate government relations specialist
• Food co-op manager
• Executive director of a nonprofit
• Physician
• Leader of a religious organization
• County administrator in Greater Minnesota
• Attorney
• Owner of a dairy farm operation
• Minnesota National Guard officer

Program fee:
The fee for participation in the Policy Fellows program is $5,000. Some employers pay this fee in part or in whole from professional development funds. Scholarships are available. All Fellows are expected to make some contribution to their program fee.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application | Recommendation letter coversheet

Candidates must submit two letters of recommendation along with their application. The application deadline for the 2008-2009 program is June 16, 2008; the deadline for the 2009-2010 program is June 15, 2009.

The Center for the Study of Politics and Governance works to develop practical solutions to pressing political and policy challenges. The center provides non-partisan research and forums to foster more effective and efficient governance, increase the transparency of government processes, and rebuild public trust in order to counteract negative influences that threaten our democracy.

The Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs ranks among the top 15 professional schools of public affairs at public universities in the country. The Institute is widely recognized for its role in examining public issues and shaping public policy at the local, state, national, and international levels.

For more information, please contact the Center at 612-625-8330 or cspg@umn.edu