Policy Fellows:

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.

Current Policy Fellows

2008-2009 Program Overview

Current Fellows

Program Schedule

Past Policy Fellows

Alumni Events

Alumni News

2007-2008 Policy Fellows

2007-2008 Project Group Work

Study trip to Washington, D.C.

2006-2007 Policy Fellows

2006-2007 Project Group Work