UAlbany Fellowship Prepares Women for Leadership Roles in Government, Public Policy

ALBANY, N.Y. (January 25, 2016) -- Fifteen women, each sharing a passion for public service and a commitment to bettering society have been recognized as the 2016 Fellows on Women and Public Policy at the University at Albany.

Fifteen future leaders in public policy and civic service have been named as the 2016 Fellows on Women and Public Policy at UAlbany.

The program, part of UAlbany’s Center for Women in Government & Civil Society (CWGCS) at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, provides the fellows with a rigorous six-month leadership development program that will position them for public service leadership.

"We are excited about the 2016 class of Fellows, and the diversity of backgrounds and experiences that they bring to the program," said Sue Faerman, Ph.D., Chair of the Women’s Leadership Academy at CWGCS. "Fellows have been carefully selected for their passion and commitment to making the world a better place, and for taking on the toughest challenges of the 21st Century. These are the next generation of progressive, ethical and visionary public service leaders."

The 2016 class of fellows includes Katrina England, Caroline Verner, Sarah Twarog, Elizabeth Aritonang, Nicole Conant, Michelle Caminos, Aisha Minhas, Amanda Tinaphong, Chantelle Wilkinson, Neelima Kanakamedala, Samantha Veach, Rashida Tyler, Rose Avellino, Charlene Bradt and Nelia Quezada.

The 2016 Fellows come from different disciplines including public administration, educational administration, social welfare, urban planning, philosophy, information systems and technology, and public health. They come from several institutions including Binghamton, Walden, the Sage Colleges and the University at Albany.

The Fellowship is considered to be a pipeline of leadership for women in public policy. Fellows receive a $10,000 stipend and tuition assistance for course work. Those accepted to the Fellowship program are placed in one of three policy arenas: a state agency, a statewide advocacy organization, or the office of a New York State Senate or Assembly member. Fellows receive applied field training at their placement offices, complete nine credits of course work, and participate in a rigorous, co-curricular program that consists of professional development workshops, community service, Fellowship group sessions, and mentoring. They also meet with elected and appointed leaders as well as civil society activists to learn tools of the trade.

"During the next six months, they will not only enhance their knowledge about the public policy process, and about how to influence the outcome of this process from the inside and outside of government; they will also strengthen their leadership skills, and work on areas that they need to improve to become effective public service leaders," added Faerman.

The Fellows on Women & Public Policy will host a welcome reception on Thursday, February 18th, 2016 at Milne Hall, downtown campus of the University at Albany at 6:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public.

The Vision of the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society is a world where women and men of all backgrounds participate equally in shaping the future. CWGCS seeks to deepen and broaden political access and economic opportunities for women by strengthening the capacity of government, nonprofit and business sectors to implement gender-responsive, inclusive and equitable policies, practices and services.

For more news, subscribe to UAlbany's RSS headline feeds