2025 Schaeffer Fellows
Annual Report
Below are key highlights from the 2025 Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program.
The full annual report is available as a downloadable PDF below.
Letter From the Founder
The Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program continues to demonstrate the value of engaging young people in public service early in their professional journeys. In 2025, Fellows served across federal, state, and local government offices and agencies, applying their skills, analytical abilities, and dedication to initiatives addressing the complex challenges facing communities nationwide.
Through full-time summer internships, Fellows gained firsthand experience in government, conducted policy research on issues ranging from consumer protection to transportation expansion, advanced public health and environmental initiatives, and supported essential constituent services.
This year also brought significant growth for the program. In April, we celebrated the opening of the Schaeffer Institute’s offices at the USC Capital Campus, now a dedicated home for programming, convenings, and the annual Schaeffer Fellows Summit in Washington, D.C. Based on alumni feedback, the 2025 Summit was expanded to four days, providing Fellows additional time for professional development, networking, and exploring the nation’s capital. The gathering’s focus on personal reflection helped Fellows process their internship experiences and identify ways to maximize their learning and impact throughout the summer. To support ongoing professional development, program staff also launched weekly virtual Fellows Forums that offered structured space for ongoing reflection, skill-building, and connection across the cohort.
The foundation of the Fellow’s program is grounded in the strong partnerships that shape the fellowship experience. Internship supervisors and alumni mentors provide guidance that transforms day-to-day responsibilities into meaningful learning. Our Advisory Board, University Partners, and program staff work together to ensure the fellowship remains rigorous, distinctive, and impactful. Their dedication, and that of our growing alumni community, strengthens our shared mission of preparing the next generation of civic leaders.
As we reflect on the accomplishments of the 2025 cohort, I am encouraged by their curiosity, integrity, and commitment to public service. This annual report highlights examples of their important work and the growing impact of our alumni across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Collectively, their experiences demonstrate a deep understanding of how government operates and the potential impact that these Fellows can have in the future.
Leonard D. Schaeffer
Founder
By the Numbers
Since its launch in 2015, the Schaeffer Fellows program has continued to expand in scale, reach, and impact. The data that follows provides a snapshot of how the program has grown over its first eleven years.
Schaeffer Fellows supported since 2015
Internship offices over the lifetime of the program
Alumni reported pursing internships, fellowships, or jobs in public service after the program
Weeks of public service provided across the country
The Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program is a flagship program of the USC Leonard D. Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy and Government Service. The Institute develops evidence-based solutions to address the nation’s most pressing policy issues and supports students in becoming involved citizens. Learn More
Erica Lovano McCann, Leonard Schaeffer, and Willa Erickson
About the Program
Mission
The Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program funds government internships, provides professional development, and fosters mentorship for undergraduate students with exceptional potential. Schaeffer Fellows gain experience-based knowledge of government operations, a deeper understanding of the impact of public service, and the skills and motivation to join the next generation of civic leaders.
Program Partners
Advisory Board
The Advisory Board helps advance the program's mission and amplify its impact. They provide strategic guidance to align the program’s priorities with those of current Fellows and a growing alumni community.
Universities
Universities select and place undergraduate Fellows and pair each with an alumni mentor. They strengthen Fellows’ ties to the program, encourage alumni involvement, and expand public service pathways.
Institutions
Through vital institutional partnerships, Schaeffer Fellows and alumni gain access to exclusive events, professional guidance, and conversations with distinguished leaders across government and related fields.
Alumni Mentors
Each Schaeffer Fellow is paired with an alumni mentor who provides individualized support as they adjust to the workplace, build professional networks, and clarify career goals. Through regular conversations and shared experience, mentors help Fellows build confidence and make the most of their summer in public service.
Intern Supervisors
Schaeffer Fellows are guided and supported by experienced supervisors in government offices and agencies, whose mentorship is central to the Fellows’ professional growth. Supervisors provide hands-on learning opportunities, offer constructive feedback on projects, and model the skills and values essential to effective public service.
2025 Schaeffer Fellows
2025 Schaeffer Fellows gained meaningful internship experiences through full-time, ten-week positions at all levels of government. Their experiences spanned the breadth of public service in policy areas such as infrastructure, congressional constituent services, and civic education.
Schaeffer Fellows Summit
Fall Recognition Events
Fellows attended the 2025 Summit from June 18-22 in Washington, D.C. Following recommendations from earlier cohorts, the Summit was expanded to offer more time for cohort building, professional development, and exploring the nation’s capital.
Alumni Spotlights
Schaeffer Fellow alumni take the lessons of their fellowship into careers that reach across industries, continents, and causes. Their collective impact illustrates the power of early public service experience to shape leaders who innovate and elevate communities. This year, the alumni featured illustrate impact in nonprofit organizations, international work, government, communications, and professional sports.