jenna mayhew

jenna mayhew

Degree: 2023, MPP

Job Title: Legislative Correspondent on Energy, Environmental, and Agricultural Policy, Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE)

Jenna Mayhew is a legislative correspondent on Energy, Environmental, and Agricultural Policy in the Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE). As a legislative correspondent, Jenna tracks pending legislation in Congress and forms legislative proposals while providing advice and recommendations to Senator Coons on energy and environmental policy matters. She also responds to constituent inquiries and represents the senator in meetings with constituents and external stakeholders. 

During her time at the University of Delaware, Jenna earned a B.S. in Energy and Environmental Policy (2022), a B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science with a minor in Environmental Humanities (2022), and completed a 4+1 Master's in Public Policy (2023) at the Biden School of Public Policy. While at the Biden School, Jenna was offered the opportunity to work as a graduate research assistant under the Grant Assistance Program (GAP) at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). Jenna credits her experience at IPA with providing the essential career skills needed for her role in Senator Coons’ office. Through GAP, she developed research, writing, communication, and collaboration skills that have been invaluable as a legislative correspondent. 

Additionally, she gained in-depth knowledge about Delaware’s municipalities, which has been pivotal in her engagements with constituents and local governments. This experience also provided Jenna with a solid understanding of the broader policy implications of current federal legislative proposals. Her familiarity with Delaware’s local government representatives and community leaders has proven useful in her current role. She is very thankful for the guidance of Troy Mix, Chase Barnes, Matthew Harris, Lori Spagnolo, and Collin Willard of the GAP team for all they have taught her.