The Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program provides a meaningful experience in government for undergraduates and encourages them to remain engaged citizens over their lifetimes. In 2023, 50 Schaeffer Fellows completed high-level government internships at the federal, state, and local levels. They wrote position papers, helped draft legislation, responded to constituent questions, observed court proceedings, visited prisons, and developed programs for children and local communities. They learned the intricacies of government work and operations, observing first-hand the dedication of countless public servants who support our democracy every day.

In late June, the Schaeffer Fellows came together in Washington, D.C. for our annual three-day Schaeffer Fellows Summit where they reflected on core values and motivation, learned lessons of leadership from public servants, networked with one another, and discovered opportunities to apply their experiences at their college campuses and in planning their future careers.

Last October, we were able to resume in-person Fall Recognition events, which gather the Fellows together once more after the conclusion of their internships. Our program staff visited each university to reconnect with Fellows and hear their reflections on their summer internship experiences. Each Fellow shared powerful testimonies about lessons learned, what challenged them about the work, and how they plan to remain engaged citizens.

Since 2015, the program has supported 368 Schaeffer Fellow interns at more than 190 government offices and agencies. I remember my own experience as an intern in government service. The internship introduced me to government work and showed me the positive impact an individual can have on government and their community. With close mentorship, I developed skills in networking and professional communications that aided me throughout my career in both the public and private sectors. It is my hope that our program helps Schaeffer Fellows better understand government operations the way my internship did and leads them to remain engaged in supporting our democracy in whatever career they pursue.

As you will see in the pages that follow, this year’s Schaeffer Fellows achieved a meaningful impact in their ten weeks of government service. I am proud to welcome them to the Schaeffer Fellow alumni community.