UMD Fellows Program

Today, our Fellows had an insightful site visit at Cornerstone! They connected with professionals, learned about exciting internship opportunities, and asked thoughtful questions—all while enjoying lunch together. It was a great experience to engage with the team and explore the impactful work happening at Cornerstone!

Another fantastic resume workshop hosted by our Graduate Assistant Isaiah Griffith! Remember, Fellows, we’re here to help and guide you every step of the way. These resume workshops are designed to sharpen your skills and get you ready for the opportunities ahead. Don’t hesitate to reach out for support!

Our first resume workshop of the semester, led by graduate assistant Daniela Nemi was a success!! Don’t miss the next one!

Highlights from our UMD Fellows Program Kickoff! We’re thrilled to kick off the year with such enthusiasm and are looking forward to all that’s ahead.

What a fantastic start to the year! Our UMD Fellows Program Kickoff event was a huge success, bringing together new students, alumni, and staff for an inspiring and engaging afternoon. We had a wonderful time connecting with everyone and are excited for the opportunities ahead. A big thank you to all who made the day memorable. Here’s to a year full of growth and success! 

Welcome back Fellows! We’re so excited to see campus buzzing with energy as the new semester begins. Wishing everyone a fantastic start to their classes! Remember, the Fellows Program office is always here for you—whether you need assistance or just want to chat, feel free to stop by. Let’s make this semester amazing together!

Dr. Joan Burton, our amazing founder and Director, has announced her retirement this summer. We wish our most heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Burton! We will miss the vision and heart that she brought to the UMD Fellows Program. Read Dr. Burton's Message to our alums: I have a bit of news to share: I am retiring from UMD as of August 1st this year. It has been an amazing adventure. When I arrived at UMD in July of 2008, I was given a pilot program to direct, called Federal Semester, consisting of one concentration, with 4 students enrolled. Today the program has three branches, Federal, Global, and Maryland Fellows, offers thirteen concentrations, and serves over 260 students. Incrementally, we transformed the program, building internship collaborations across DC, providing a supportive and empowering home for public-spirited students, and recruiting brilliant expert practitioners to teach our students and show them the way to impactful careers. Expanding this innovative and impactful program, supporting all of you, has been a phenomenal honor and privilege. We really grew this program together, all of us, learning together, mentoring one another, talking about the program, sharing jobs and opportunities with one another, brainstorming about the future. This program represents such a splendid student- and alumni-centered collaboration, and it will continue to be powerful and thrive with extraordinary, dedicated staff and amazing student workers!  I am deeply grateful to all of you—generations of wonderful students and amazing alumni. It has been the honor of a lifetime to watch you grow and learn and take your passion and commitment into the world. So many generous-minded, public-spirited human beings, full of promise, talent, skills, and sharing a common belief in promoting the public good. I love seeing all the amazing, various ways you are putting your talents and passions to work in the world. Sharing opportunities, serving on panels, helping others, you’ve inspired me every day. Working with all of you—expanding the program to serve more and more of UMD students, bringing together people of all disciplines to learn together, tackle challenges of the world together, across ideology, across cultural difference, across geographical boundaries, to speak civilly with one another, to appreciate difference—has been a joy beyond words. I have loved getting to know you, learning about your dreams and ambitions, and helping you toward your life goals. I feel such hope and joy, thinking of all of you! You are changing the world, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, applying your talents and skills, doing good, helping others. Please continue to support one another, to think of the program, and give back to the students who follow in your footsteps. There are so many ways to do good in the world! You have made my life at UMD such a joy. It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve you. Warmest wishes, Joan Burton

Are you looking to work in a supportive, innovative, and collaborative environment? The UMD Fellows Program: Maryland, Federal, and Global is hiring a Communications and Outreach Manager! We are searching for a highly motivated individual (including recent graduates) with a passion for innovation and making a difference. This position calls for a dynamic and talented communicator who wants to leave their mark on the communications and outreach strategy of a growing university program. This is a great position for people with stellar interpersonal and communications skills, creativity and drive, a passion for public service and/or internationalism, and a desire to empower students! Skills needed include writing, website content management, social media, Adobe Creative suite, and an eagerness to learn and grow! For more information (and how to apply) for the Communications and Outreach Manager position, view the position description on ejobs: https://lnkd.in/eWarhKeb

A closer look at our outstanding student speakers from last week's Showcase. Autumn K. Ballard (Public Health Policy concentration '24), Hayden Renaghan (Critical Regions and International Relations concentration '24), Alexandra Kreis (Energy and Environmental Policy concentration '24), Clayton Steiner (Energy and Environmental Policy concentration '24), and Mariama Cham (US Diplomacy concentration '23) all spoke about their experiences in #umdfellows. Thank you for representing the program!

Clayton's been an outstanding Fellow! It was wonderful hearing him speak about his experience and growth in the program.