Schaeffer Fellows Summit
The Schaeffer Fellows Summit is a signature event of the Schaeffer Fellows program, bringing together current Fellows, alumni, and public service leaders for three days of enriching learning and professional development.
Held each June, the Summit offers a unique platform for Fellows to engage in thought-provoking discussions, gain insights from accomplished professionals, and deepen their understanding of public service careers. Through interactive workshops, networking opportunities, and panel discussions, the Summit fosters a sense of community and prepares Fellows with the tools and motivation to excel in their internships and future endeavors.
This flagship event underscores the program’s commitment to cultivating a vibrant and supportive network of emerging leaders dedicated to public service.
Examining Engaged Citizenship
The 2024 Summit focused on participating in democracy through engaged citizenship. Fellows reflected on and shared with their peers about the work being done in their internship offices and the impact on constituents. They discussed how a broader understanding of government operations can inform their own engaged citizenship after the summer. Fellows also had the opportunity to practice networking, discuss professional development, and explore ways to apply skills gained during the internship to future academic and career goals.
A Cohort
Experience
Schaeffer Fellows benefit from the unique program experience of attending a three-day Summit in Washington, D.C. during their internship summer to meet and build camaraderie with other government interns in the program. Fellows come from all over the U.S. to participate together in interactive sessions on values and motivation, networking, professional development, and transferable skills. In addition to their stipend, each Fellow’s attendance at the Summit is fully covered by the Schaeffer Fellows program.
Visiting the U.S. Capitol
Schaeffer Fellows spent a morning touring the U.S. Capitol as a group. With Fellows interning at various levels of government across the U.S., the Summit provides a unique opportunity for each Fellow to explore the nation’s capital and gain a broader understanding of how different levels of government operate. For many, this is their first visit to D.C., which serves as a powerful backdrop for the Summit. During their time together, Fellows engage in discussions about current events and compare the similarities and differences in their experiences across various levels of government.
Panel of Public Service Leaders
At each Summit, the program convenes a panel of public service professionals who can impart career advice to the Schaeffer Fellows. This year, the panel emphasized nonlinear career pathways and encouraged Fellows to remain open to new ideas or unexpected opportunities.
The panel was facilitated by Dr. Pamela McCann, Associate Professor at the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy and included:
- Ryan S. Uyehara - Deputy Chief of Staff for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under the Biden-Harris Administration
- Kristen Gunness - Senior policy researcher at the RAND Corporation with a background in military, security, and foreign policy issues in the Indo Pacific region with a focus on China, and deterrence and escalation management
- Sherese Bonner - UVA Schaeffer Fellow alumna and current Presidential Management Fellow then on rotation in the Office of Management and Budget, now at the National Institutes of Health
Schaeffer Alumni Advice
The Summit offers a valuable opportunity to invite alumni back as speakers. Many alumni are in D.C. for internships, graduate school, or full-time work across various sectors, including government. They lead engaging discussions, where Fellows can ask questions about managing day-to-day tasks, networking, and exploring future career paths.
The 2024 alumni panelists were (pictured left to right):
- Leah Erwin – 2020 Fellow, University of Virginia
- Shafaq Khan – 2020 Fellow, Princeton University
- Christian Meloni – 2023 Fellow, University of Virginia
- Amy Chong – 2018 Fellow, University of Southern California
- Kylan Benson – 2023 Fellow, Harvard University
Alumni Ambassador, Erin Barr (2018 Schaeffer Fellow), spent the weekend on-site supporting event implementation and serving as an additional resource for Schaeffer Fellows.
Transferable Career Skills
Program Partners Elizabeth Wall (pictured), from the University of Virginia Career Center, and Sadie Polen, from Democracy House, led dynamic breakout sessions for the Fellows. These sessions provided valuable insights into essential skills for advancing career goals. They also offered space for reflection on how personal values align with professional responsibilities, fostering an ongoing commitment to democratic engagement.
The Cosmos Club & Keynote Speaker
Keynote speaker Anthony Vassalo addressed Fellows, program partners, and alumni at the historic Cosmos Club, an institution that recognizes individuals distinguished in science, literature, the arts, learned professions, and public service.
Mr. Vassalo is Director of the RAND Forecasting Initiative (RFI) and a Senior International/Defense Policy Researcher. His research areas include forecasting and foresight, international security, U.S. national security strategy, risk, deterrence, counter terrorism, and the intelligence community. In his remarks, he spoke about “expecting the unexpected” throughout one’s career and putting earnest effort into doing good work.
One takeaway from the Summit is that civic responsibility and public service can be practiced among all walks of life or professional careers. Hearing about Mr. Schaeffer’s life story from his own words has been one of the most inspiring moments of my own life.”