By Amy Carlson Gustafson
Turn on any TV news station, read the front page of your local newspaper, or listen to conversations at your local café, and it’s clear the partisan divide remains a pressing issue. Political polarization has led to disengagement and lack of communication in communities across Minnesota and the United States.
The Policy Fellows Program at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, one of the nation’s most respected leadership initiatives for emerging and mid-career professionals, has been bridging these divides for 35 years.
Founded by former Vice President Walter Mondale and former U.S. Ambassador Geri Joseph, the program is deeply rooted in Minnesota’s civic landscape, built on core values of bipartisanship, inclusiveness, and finding common good solutions to public challenges.
The Policy Fellows Program intentionally recruits participants from diverse backgrounds; political perspectives from across the spectrum, people from greater Minnesota, new Americans, people of color, those working in government, nonprofits, the private sector, and the Minnesota National Guard.
Professor Larry Jacobs, faculty director of the program, emphasizes the importance of recruiting Fellows from diverse backgrounds. “My big hope is that we are contributing to a culture that engages with difference respectfully and constructively,” he says.
Alumni such as U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, and numerous nonprofit and business leaders continue to make a difference in Minnesota and beyond, applying the skills and connections they gained in the Policy Fellows program.
Alumni and fellows work across differences
The Policy Fellows tackle challenging issues throughout Minnesota. During their 10-month fellowship, they are given tools to better engage with and understand viewpoints different from their own, fostering a community of civically minded leaders.
“Fellows are talented professionals from all walks of life who work together on projects that benefit the broader community,” says Sara Benzkofer, the program’s executive director. "Effective group policy projects don't just solve immediate challenges—they ignite collaboration, pave the way for long-term change, and amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard."
One group in last year’s cohort explored Minnesota’s growing political polarization and identified strategies to bridge divides. Group members included Tabatha Barrett, Leslie Pendergast, Latonya Reeves, and Lauren Servick, who each brought unique perspectives shaped by their backgrounds.
Reeves, a career probation officer in Hennepin County, and Servick, a policy strategist for the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, connected over their shared concerns about the challenges of today’s divisive political climate.
“When people don't talk, you start to see the fringes take over, which can lead to an unhealthy community atmosphere,” says Servick. “Our project helped us explore how to create spaces for understanding. This work was important, and we learned so much from each other.”
Another team focused on pay equity. Despite Minnesota passing the first pay equity law more than 40 years ago, gaps persist along lines of gender, race, and disability. Fellows in this group—Cindy Devonish, Sommer Green, Peter Ingraham, Jason Jackson, Jamie Lindman, Bishara Mohamed, and Dominique Murray—researched Minnesota’s pay equity laws, engaged with stakeholders on both sides of the political aisle, and advocated for more inclusive policies.
“Our group came together to support each other’s unique perspectives,” says Ingraham. “I could not believe there was a program that would make this experience possible.”
Gaining leadership skills
Policy Fellows report that the program helps them build skills like agility, confidence, and a deeper understanding of public policy. Murray, who is now an inclusion and workforce development coordinator at the Minnesota Department of Administration, says the program has expanded her sense of agency and belonging in the public policy space.
“We have the right to participate in our government,” says Murray, who often advocates in spaces where her background as a Black woman provides a critical perspective. “I’m using my unique voice and explaining the adversity I’ve experienced. This program has given me the skills to make an impact.”
Shaping future leaders for Minnesota
Throughout their time as Policy Fellows, they learn to listen, understand, and engage with different perspectives, gaining the tools needed to bring humanity back into policy conversations.
They also return to their organizations with enhanced perspectives, stronger communication abilities, and practical tools to drive innovation and build inclusive workplace cultures. This investment not only benefits the individual, but also strengthens the organization’s capacity to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.
Fellows across cohorts share that the program creates a supportive, collaborative environment where they feel comfortable taking risks and sharing diverse viewpoints.
“The space was safe because we had a common goal,” explains Ingraham, a team member in the pay equity project. “The growth I saw in myself and my peers was profound, and we all came away knowing we can have a positive impact on Minnesota.”
Fellows also gain national insight during a study trip to Washington, DC, where they meet with public officials and visit key institutions.
“Many people are put off by hearing ideas that they aren’t accustomed to hearing,” says Jacobs. “I’m so impressed by the growth I see with each cohort. They’re a microcosm of what’s happening across Minnesota, and they bring that energy back into their communities with new ideas and a shared vision for the future.”
With each new cohort, the Policy Fellows program continues to produce engaged leaders who are prepared to tackle the pressing issues facing their communities and to strengthen Minnesota’s civic fabric.
Are you ready to work across differences, build stronger communities, and be a part of a growing number of leaders choosing to tackle our thorniest issues head on? Visit the Humphrey Policy Fellows to learn more.
