Samuel Vilchez Santiago (2016) was elected to represent District 43 in the Florida House of Representatives, where he will serve East and Central Orange County. Since his time as a Schaeffer Fellow and congressional intern, he has built a career in public service and community organizing.

Benson was excited to share that he has been awarded a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to pursue his Master’s in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, where he will be hosted by the Esk Valley Rotary Club. He looks forward to returning to Birmingham after the year-long program in Scotland. “Long term, I want to come back to Birmingham …

2024 Schaeffer Fellow Janet Mendoza-Partida was selected for the 2025-2026 Executive Fellowship and was placed at the California Office of Tax Appeals. From the Executive Fellows program: “Janet’s love for her community in the Central Coast guides her work towards positive systemic changes to uplift underserved communities throughout the state. A daughter of Mexican migrant agricultural workers, Janet was born …

From the 2025 Schaeffer Fellows Annual Report: Sport has the power to unite people across cultures and continents. Schaeffer Fellow alumni are helping showcase its spirit of collaboration, inclusivity, and innovation. By drawing on their public service experience, alumni are helping to ensure that their organizations leave a lasting positive impact on local communities and fans alike. Their work embodies …

From the 2025 Schaeffer Fellows Annual Report: Schaeffer Fellow alumni are shaping how stories are told and information is shared across sectors. Many have built careers in communications, media, and writing, applying their public service experience to foster understanding, transparency, and engagement. From producing journalism to publishing books, these alumni demonstrate the power of storytelling in strengthening trust and community. …

From the 2025 Schaeffer Fellows Annual Report: Schaeffer Fellow alumni continue to make an impact in local, state, and federal government long after their internship summer. Many have begun to build their careers in public service. Whether developing policy, managing programs, communicating with constituents, or leading new initiatives, Schaeffer Fellow alumni are helping to make government more responsive, inclusive, and …

From the 2025 Schaeffer Fellows Annual Report: Schaeffer Fellow alumni extend their commitment to public service beyond U.S. borders through international fellowships, advanced academic study and research, and global careers — applying their skills and experiences to address complex global issues. Their work spans fields including public health, diplomacy, education, and business, contributing to initiatives that strengthen communities and promote …

From the 2025 Schaeffer Fellows Annual Report: Schaeffer Fellow alumni extend their commitment to public service into the nonprofit sector, applying their skills and experiences to advance mission-driven work that strengthens communities and promotes equity. Many have built careers in areas such as sustainability, health, education, and civic engagement. Through program management, advocacy, research, and leadership, these alumni continue to …

Anahi Ruvalcaba was a 2023 Leonard D. Schaeffer Fellow from UC Berkeley who interned with U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) in Washington, DC. She has since served as a staff assistant for former Senator Laphonza Butler (D-CA) and staff assistant supporting constituent services and tours for Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). This year, Ruvalcaba began a position as a legislative correspondent …

Alexander (Sandy) Keonig was selected for the highly competitive Schwarzman Scholarship. He will complete a one-year master’s in global affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.