As a college sophomore, I was offered an opportunity to intern in government. At the time, I was unsure about what I hoped to gain from the experience and unclear about my post-graduate plans. The internship introduced me to real government work and showed me the impact one could have on their community and public policy more broadly. Through the guidance of an alumni mentor, I developed skills in networking and professional communications that aided me throughout my career in the public and private sectors. The Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program was established to provide a meaningful experience in government for undergraduates and encourage their engaged citizenship the way my internship did all those years ago. Since 2015, we have placed 318 Schaeffer Fellows at more than 160 different internship sites, and each has been paired with an alumni mentor from their university.

In the summer of 2022, 50 Schaeffer Fellows interned in high-level government internships at the federal, state, and local levels. They contributed to policy research, investigated cold cases, advocated for resources to support community programs, and responded to constituent concerns. Irrespective of placement, they learned the intricacies of government work and operations and saw first-hand the dedication of countless public servants who play a role in supporting our democracy every day.

While many internships returned to the office setting, a number remained hybrid or remote and I expect this trend to continue. This has had a direct impact on the Fellows and our program, making it all the more important to bring everyone together for the Schaeffer Fellows Summit in Washington, D.C. Over three days, the Fellows debriefed their internship experiences, learned lessons in leadership from public service professionals and program alumni, visited the National Mall, and established relationships with one another that will grow as they become Schaeffer Fellow Alumni.

As you will see in the pages that follow, our Schaeffer Fellows had a remarkable impact on the offices they supported and the communities they served. Each year our Fellows reaffirm that if they are the future of public service then our country will be able to successfully address its challenges.

University Partners each selected and placed ten Schaeffer Fellows:

• Harvard University
• Princeton University
• UC Berkeley
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Virginia (UVA)

The percent of Schaeffer Fellows considering work in public service as a result of their summer experience

The Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program exposes undergraduate students to government work and its impact through 10-week, full-time, high-level internship placements with elected officials and agencies at the federal, state, and local levels. While not all Schaeffer Fellows pursue a career in government, the program creates the opportunity for participants to become engaged citizens and develop an informed view of government service and operations.

The Schaeffer Fellows program is grounded in four key themes. These themes are explored through interactive sessions over the summer and in the Schaeffer Fellows Resource Guide:

• Reflecting on Core Values
• Exploring Leadership Lessons
• Collaborating & Networking
• Developing Transferable Skills

This year, the program included a variety of professional development benefits:

• Fellowship stipend and accessories
• Virtual Orientation
• Resource Guide
• Online Community
• Alumni Ambassador support
• Alumni Mentor
• Supportive Supervisor
• Schaeffer Fellows Summit in D.C.
• Fall Recognition Event

Dr. Erica Lovano McCann has been with the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program since its inaugural year at USC where she serves as Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. Erica works closely on developing strategic partnerships, liaising with participating universities, and overseeing the implementation of programming and events. As the program grows, Erica works closely with Leonard Schaeffer and the Schaeffer Fellows Advisory Board furthering the mission and vision of the program.

Willa Erickson began working with the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows program in January 2019 to assist with planning program events, communicating with the national cohort of Schaeffer Fellows and alumni, and continuing to build a strong program identity. She facilitates the Alumni Ambassador program and maintains the Online Community. Willa also plays a dual role at USC coordinating the University’s cohort selection and internship matching process.

In 2022, Leonard Schaeffer established the Schaeffer Fellows Advisory Board. Members serve a three year term during which they participate in biannual meetings, assist in identifying high-level internship opportunities and qualified mentors for Schaeffer Fellows, and engage in strategic planning for the future of the program.

The Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows program partnered with five U.S. universities to select and place 50 talented undergraduate students as full-time summer interns at all levels of government. Fellows had the opportunity to build relationships with their peers as a national cohort at the Schaeffer Fellows Summit, which was hosted in-person for the first time since 2019.

Schaeffer Fellows who exemplify the range of projects and diversity of government experiences of the larger cohort.

The program recruited a third class of Alumni Ambassadors to help support the 2022 Schaeffer Fellows and continue to grow relationships among the alumni community. Ambassadors remain in touch with their university’s cohort throughout the summer, attend Orientation and parts of the Summit, and host informal events. This group of peer experts serves a critical role in helping to shape and develop the Fellows’ experience and expand alumni offerings.

At the conclusion of its eighth year, the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program has 318 ambitious alumni pursuing a diversity of academic and professional experiences as illustrated below. The Schaeffer Fellows Online Community serves as a private hub for alumni to engage in  networking, share resources, and participate in events.

2021 alum Katherine Dailey (Princeton) speaks with 2022 Fellows Kimani Panthier (Harvard) and Ava Milberg (Princeton) at the Summit closing dinner.