Institutional Partners
Institutional partnerships play a crucial role in enhancing the program through valuable learning and networking opportunities. These collaborations foster meaningful dialogue between Fellows, alumni, researchers, and government leaders, helping to bridge the gap between academia, governance, and policy-making.
Through these partnerships, Fellows gain deeper insights into the complexities of research and policy development, while strengthening their ability to navigate the intersection of these fields. They leave the program with a deeper understanding of how research informs legislative decisions and public administration.
Partnership for Public Service Helps Establish the Professional Development Model
Brookings Institution and RAND Corporation Support Summit and Alumni Programming
In 2017, the Partnership for Public Service was instrumental in developing a training model for undergraduate interns. That year, the organization hosted a Development Series for Schaeffer Fellows focusing on values, cross-sector collaborations, and leadership. From there, the Partnership helped scale up the model for the Summit implemented in 2018 and 2019.
Partnerships with the Brookings Institution and the RAND Corporation provide access to respected experts in public policy research who serve as speakers for the Summit and collaborate on alumni events. Exposure to these organizations helps Fellows learn how an evidence-based and data-driven approach to policymaking can be used to address complex societal challenges.
USC Schaeffer Institute for Public Policy and Government Service houses Schaeffer Fellows program
The USC Schaeffer Institute, established in 2024, brings together the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service program under one organization to produce research that informs evidence-based policymaking and support students in becoming involved citizens of a healthy democracy.
Alumni at RAND Corporation policy briefing in Santa Monica
The Partnership for Public Service hosts sessions for the 2019 Schaeffer Fellows Summit in Washington, D.C., including a panel of public service leaders
Featured Alumni in Policy & Research Positions
Schaeffer Fellow alumni go forward from their summer internship encouraged to continue exploring public service. As alumni progress in their careers, many have pursued opportunities at public interest organizations, including our institutional partners. Through research and policy positions, these alumni leverage the skills and insights gained during their internships to contribute to data-driven decision-making. Their work in identifying innovative solutions to complex issues highlights the program’s success in cultivating the next generation of civic leaders.
Vani Agarwal
2021 Schaeffer Fellow, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
University of Virginia
Senior Research Assistant, Center on Health Policy at Brookings
D. Jun Lee
2016 Schaeffer Fellow, Central Intelligence Agency
University of Southern California
Political Scientist, RAND Corporation
Alex Hubbard
2022 Schaeffer Fellow, Smithsonian Institution
University of Virginia
Research Intern, Brown Center on Education Policy at Brookings
Camille Reeves
2021 Schaeffer Fellow, Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
Princeton University
Research Assistant, RAND Corporation
Nina Nguyen
2023 Schaeffer Fellow, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Healthcare Consumer Protection
University of Southern California
Research Assistant, Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics
Jeremy Odrich
2022 Schaeffer Fellow, Virginia State Police - Fusion Center
University of Virginia
Social Policy Fellow, Third Way
Policy Consequences Simulation
Seamus Gorman (2022 UVA Schaeffer Fellow) attends “Ripple: A.I. - A Game of Policy Paths and Consequences” at RAND in Washington, D.C. Seamus is currently an analyst at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
National Security Certification
Kate Krolicki (2019 Harvard Schaeffer Fellow) attends RAND Policy Intensive on National Security in Washington, D.C. Kate is currently a captain in the U.S. Air Force.