Engaged Alumni
Alumni are invited to volunteer as mentors, ambassadors, and Summit speakers. Alumni engagement helps Schaeffer Fellows bridge the fellowship experience and post-graduate pathways.
Supervising Interns
Several program alumni have begun full-time roles in government and some have become current Schaeffer Fellow supervisors. Pictured: Rediet Retta (USC) with supervisor Destyni Freese, a 2019 Fellow, in the office of CA Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer.
Speaking at the Summit
Alumni provide crucial support at the Summit as guest speakers. This year, a panel of alumni hosted a breakout session to field candid questions from Fellows. Pictured (left to right): Matthew Slagley (UVA, 2019), Amy Chong (USC, 2018), Jaren McKinnie (Princeton, 2019) and Laila Issa (Berkeley, 2019).
One-on-one Mentoring
University Partners assign each Fellow an alumni mentor. This year, 36% of mentors were both university and Schaeffer Fellows program alumni. Pictured: Daniel Bui (Berkeley) with assigned mentor Naz Balkam, a 2021 Schaeffer Fellow, meeting up during the Summit in D.C.
Attending Events
Alumni are invited to attend program events including the Summit Closing Dinner, regional or virtual alumni lounges, and other partner events. Fellows report benefiting greatly from interactions with a diverse range of alumni who provide valuable advice for the internship and future opportunities. Pictured: Yoav Gillath (USC, 2022) and Erin Barr (USC, 2018) at the Summit Closing Dinner.
Alumni Ambassadors
In 2023, the program selected one Alumni Ambassador to support Fellows from their university. Each Ambassador offered regular outreach to their university’s ten Schaeffer Fellows throughout the summer and hosted an event focused on their area of expertise to share with Fellows and other alumni.
Amy Chong
2018 Schaeffer Fellow
University of Southern California
Senior Associate,
Centre for Public Impact
Carlos Garcia Perez
2020 Schaeffer Fellow
Harvard University
Freight Dispatcher,
Carlos 17 Hauling LLC
Skylar Jackman
2021 Schaeffer Fellow
University of Virginia
Student at UVA & Clean Transportation Analyst, ICF (part-time)
Cameron McKenzie
2018 Schaeffer Fellow
Princeton University
MFS Graduate,
Yale University
Arianna Rubalcava
2021 Schaeffer Fellow
U.C. Berkeley
Digital Equity Policy Fellow,
National Hispanic Media Coalition
Alumni Lounges
In 2023, the program selected one Alumni Ambassador to support Fellows from their university. Each Ambassador offered regular outreach to their university’s ten Schaeffer Fellows throughout the summer and hosted an event focused on their area of expertise to share with Fellows and other alumni.
Navigating Graduate School
Cameron McKenzie spoke on how to select a graduate program, offered tips for the application process, and discussed how graduate study connects to long-term goals planning.
Skills for Job Searching
Skylar Jackman and Arianna Rubalcava answered questions on how to prepare for interviews, how to network with organizations, how to stand out as an applicant, who to contact if interested in a position, and identifying roles based on previous experience.
Alumni Social in D.C.
Amy Chong hosted a small group of Fellows for food and conversation in Washington, D.C. Fellows spoke about the benefits of spending the summer in D.C. and interest in gaining more experience in government.
Princeton & UVA Fellows attend Alumni Lounge in D.C. with Amy Chong, USC Ambassador