We hope you enjoy this vlog featuring a series of interviews conducted with a few of the Foundation’s Graduate Fellows as they attended our most recent Graduate Fellowship Conference held last September in Washington D.C. In these conversations, we asked them to share some top takeaways on the Fellowship Program’s impact, to reflect on what it means to be a part of the Fellowship Network and to highlight what they enjoy most about the annual conference which brings together current and former Fellows from across the country. Hear their inside perspectives below!

“Networking with current and former Fellows is the highlight of coming to the Conference every year. I don’t think I’ve met another group of people that are as deeply connected to the mission of public service.” - Luke, Fellow 2016-17, University of Texas at Austin

Luke is Assistant Professor at Arizona State University’s School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership where he teaches courses in Civic Education and American Grand Strategy. He received a Graduate Fellowship during his Ph.D. studies in Government at The University of Texas at Austin.

“The Fellowship has really given me the opportunity to carry out research that I may not have been able to do otherwise…the network and the opportunity to talk to people has opened doors I had not anticipated.” - Kimberly, Fellow 2018-20, Indiana University

Kimberly is a Legislative Fiscal Analyst for the State of Utah Legislature where she works with elected officials to ensure the long-term viability of state finances, helps to balance the state budget and to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of state programs. She is also a Board Member at the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy where she helps foster diplomatic relations between Utah and other nations. She received a Graduate Fellowship during her Ph.D. studies in Public Affairs and Policy Analysis at Indiana University.

“The Rumsfeld Fellowship is way more than a scholarship. Developing friendships, acquaintances, working relationships year after year is extraordinarily valuable.” - John, Fellow 2014-15, University of Virginia

John is a Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Personnel Management. He received a Graduate Fellowship during his Ph.D. studies in American Politics at the University of Virginia.

“For me the most important part of the Rumsfeld Fellowship is the wonderful people I come into contact with each year - it is fascinating to see so many perspectives on public service. It is the notion that this network exists that is so important because public servants touch on so many important aspects of our lives that we don't even think about.” - Bill, Fellow 2015-16, Hillsdale College

Bill is an Editor at RealClearPolicy, a website curating articles, research and publications that analyze U.S. domestic policy with a special focus on the output of think tanks, associations and foundations. He received a Graduate Fellowship in support of his Ph.D. studies in Politics at Hillsdale College.

The Graduate Fellowship Program’s network members continue to demonstrate their commitment to service with more than 75% of the network’s graduated alumni serving in the public sector or policy-relevant fields in a wide variety of capacities including in the Departments of Defense, Energy, Justice, State and Treasury, the U.S. military, U.S. Congress, state and local government, policy and research centers, academia and more.

Entering its twelfth academic year this fall, the Graduate Fellowship Program currently includes an impressive network of 146 current and former Fellows, as well as 23 distinguished Program Advisers located at universities nationwide. Over the years the Foundation has awarded over $3 million in Fellowships to scholars across the country and hosted more than two dozen network events including the program's annual conference, retreats, panel discussions, speaker sessions and more.

A special thank you to these featured Fellows for sharing their personal insights and to all the members of our Fellowship Network who continue to make valuable contributions in public service. The Foundation looks forward to continuing to follow the impressive paths and achievements of its alumni in the years ahead. To learn more about the program and the talented leaders that comprise its growing network, please visit the Foundation’s Graduate Fellowship page.