2024 Legislative Fellows
Legislative Fellows Program
Go Inside the Political Decision-Making Process
Begun in 1982, the Legislative Fellows Program links the research capacity of the University of Delaware and Delaware State University with the research needs of the Delaware General Assembly. The experience offers students a valuable opportunity to observe and contribute to the governmental decision-making process.
Through their nonpartisan, in-depth research, Fellows assist legislators in addressing critical issues facing the state. In recent years, Fellows have worked on areas as diverse as land-use planning, education reform, and juvenile justice.
The Legislative Fellows Program is managed by the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration. Dr. Jerome Lewis is the director of the IPA; Lisa Moreland Allred is the program manager for the Legislative Fellows Program.
Opportunity of a Lifetime
The Legislative Fellows Program offers students a remarkable range of opportunities to gain professional skills and experience. While not all Fellows may plan on careers in government, most expect to benefit from an insider's awareness of how the public sector functions.
Fellows will have the opportunity to:
Affect current legislation by providing timely, nonpartisan, in-depth information on critical issues
Become acquainted with many important state leaders in both the General Assembly and the executive branch
Develop an understanding of the legislative process that will be useful in a wide variety of careers in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION
program Details
- Legislative Fellows travel to Legislative Hall Dover three days a week (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays) from January through June. Travel to Dover is by university carpool (subject to program funding)
- Legislative Fellows receive a competitive stipend/scholarship
- Legislative Fellows take a three-credit graduate seminar, State and Local Government Management and Policy, as an integral part of the program
Eligibility
All full-time graduate students and especially qualified junior or senior-level students of the University of Delaware and Delaware State University are eligible to apply for the Legislative Fellows Program. Applicants should possess a strong background in degree programs such as public administration, public policy, political science, sociology, urban affairs, communications, international relations, criminal justice, history, economics, or business administration.
Legislative Fellows are competitively selected each spring and fall for the next legislative session. All candidates are interviewed and must complete a timed-writing exercise on a current public policy issue. Applicants with an interest in the legislative process, government, or public policy analysis are preferred. Strong writing skills are required.
2025 APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline for submitting applications for the 2025 Legislative Fellows Program is November 1. View the 2025 Legislative Fellows Program flyer for more detailed information about the application process.
Four-Step Application Process
This one-hour timed-writing exercise is held virtually on the University of Delaware's Newark campus on the same day that applications are due and simulates a duty Fellows might have at Legislative Hall. Applicants will be given material to read and asked to write a sample memorandum to a Delaware state legislator. Please RSVP to Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred prior to the day of the exercise.
This is an informal 30-minute interview with Institute for Public Administration director Dr. Jerome Lewis and program manager Lisa Moreland Allred. It is a way for the manager to get to know the applicants’ academic and professional backgrounds, as well as their interest in the program. Upon application receipt, the program manager will provide further details.
In this formal 15-minute panel interview, applicants will again see Dr. Jerome Lewis and Lisa Moreland Allred, but they will also meet a panel of legislative staff members who serve as the Fellows’ supervisors in Dover. Panel members will ask applicants about academics, professional experiences, knowledge of Delaware state government, and other interview-relevant information. Applicants are encouraged to ask questions of the panel. Upon initial interview completion, the program manager will provide further details.
Do you have more questions about the Legislative Fellows program?
Contact Lisa
Lisa Moreland Allred
Program Manager, Legislative Fellows Program
Program Manager, Legislative Fellows Program
302-831-4955
In Their Own Words...
past legislative fellows
Justin Abreu
Senate Majority Caucus
B.A. student double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy and minoring in Legal Studies
Intern, Office of U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester
Intern, Biden Institute
Kate Bowman
House Majority Caucus
M.P.P. student with an area of interest in Social Policy
B.A. in Sociology, Christopher Newport University
Teaching Fellow, AmeriCorps
Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellow, Christopher Newport University Center for Education Research and Policy
Destiny Carmona
Senate Minority Caucus
4+1 M.P.A. and B.A. student double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy
Undergraduate Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
Administrative Intern, Town of Milton
Emma Crowell
House Majority Caucus
Honors B.A. student double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy and minoring in Philosophy
Legislative Intern, Office of U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester
Summer Undergraduate Biden School Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
Grace Donohue
Senate Majority Caucus
4+1 M.P.A. student
Honors B.A. in Public Policy, Political Science, and English, University of Delaware
Graduate Public Administration Fellow, Delaware Center for Civic Education, Institute for Public Administration
Justin Duca
House Majority Caucus
4+1 M.E.E.P. student
Honors B.A. in Political Science with an American Politics Concentration and B.S. in Energy and Environmental Policy, University of Delaware
Intern, Office of U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester
Former Daily Visit Coordinator for the Blue Hen Ambassador Tour Guide Program, University of Delaware Admissions Office
Rachel Gaebel
House Minority Caucus
Honors B.A. student majoring in History and minoring in Public Policy
IPA City Management Fellow with the City of Milford
Undergraduate Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
Community Engagement Scholar
Tyron Herring
House Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student
B.A. in Government, Dartmouth College
Intern, Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
Alumnus, Tuck Business Bridge Program, Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College
Angela Hoyle
House Minority Caucus
4+1 M.P.A. student
B.A. in Public Policy, English, and Women & Gender Studies, University of Delaware
Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons
Intern, Office of Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long
Shubreet Kaur
Division of Research
M.P.A. student
B.A. in Psychology and B.S. in Statistics, University of Delaware
2023 Legislative Fellow
IPA Graduate Public Administration Fellow with the Delaware Division of Research
Mary Ladely
Senate Majority Caucus
B.A. student double majoring in History and Political Science and minoring in Legal Studies and Philosophy
Intern, Office of U.S. Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester
Campaign Manager, Vic Leonard, Sr. for Red Clay Consolidated School Board
Gabrielle Lane
Division of Research
Honors B.A. student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Legal Studies and History
2023 IPA Legislative Researcher, Office of Government and Community Relations, University of Delaware
2022 Intern, Office of Governor John Carney
Wyatt Patterson
House Majority Caucus
4+1 M.P.A. student specializing in Policy Analysis
Honors B.A. in Public Policy and Women & Gender Studies, University of Delaware
Former State Organizing Director, March For Our Lives
2022 & 2023 Legislative Fellow
Hannah Rigoglioso
House Majority Caucus
4+1 M.P.A. student
Honors B.A. in Public Policy, University of Delaware
Graduate Public Administration Fellow for the Senior Center Grant-in-Aid Funding Formula Project, Institute for Public Administration
Anna Squiers
House Majority Caucus
4+1 M.P.P. and Honors B.A. student double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy
Intern, Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
2023 Summer Scholar, University of Delaware
Meliha Tokay
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in International Relations and minoring in History
President, Panhellenic Council, University of Delaware
Peer Mentor, Study of the U.S. Institutes’ Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders Program
Falah Al-Falahi
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student double majoring in Public Policy and Political Science and minoring in Arabic
Intern, Biden Institute
Intern, Leo T. McCarthy Center
Abdulrasheed Dawodu
Senate Majority Caucus
M.A. student in Urban Affairs and Public Policy
M.B.A. with a specialization in Marketing, Bayero University Kano
B.A. in English Literature, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria
Part-time Lab Supervisor, Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research
Justin Dougherty
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Public Policy and History
Behavioral Health Crisis Care Task Force Staff and Legislative Page, Delaware General Assembly
Fiona Eramo
Senate Majority Caucus
4+1 M.P.A. student specializing in Policy Analysis
Honors B.A. in Public Policy and Women & Gender Studies, University of Delaware
Women’s Leadership Initiative Gender Equity Award Winner 2022
Wilgen Award Winner 2022
Khazra Fatima
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in International Relations and minoring in Political Science and Social Justice
President, March For Our Lives, UD Chapter
Rachel Gaebel
House Minority Caucus
Honors B.A. student majoring in History
Community Engagement Scholar
World Scholar
Delaware Diplomat
Study Abroad in Greece
Margaret Karpinski
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student double majoring in Political Science and Public Policy and minoring in Legal Studies
Legal Intern, WMNSB Law Firm
Vice President of Standards, UD Panhellenic Council
Shubreet Kaur
Division of Research
B.A./B.S. student double majoring in Psychology and Statistics and minoring in Computer Science
Band Manager, UD Marching Band
Research Assistant, Educational Psychology Lab
Sana Nangia
House Majority Caucus
Honors B.A. student double majoring in International Relations and Economics
Summer Intern, Biden Institute
Americorps Alumna
Social Justice Peer Educator
Abbey Negin
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student double majoring in International Relations and Public Policy and minoring in History and Jewish Studies
World Scholars Study Abroad in Greece
Intern, Foreign Service Institute, U.S. Department of State
Nicole Neri
Division of Research
Honors B.A. student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
Communications Intern, Majority Caucus, Delaware State Senate
Wyatt Patterson
House Majority Caucus
Honors 4+1 B.A./M.P.A. student double majoring in Public Policy and Women & Gender Studies
Former State Director, March For Our Lives
2022 Legislative Fellow
Browyn Sherman
Senate Minority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Nonprofit Management
B.A. in Theatre, Loyola University Chicago
Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
Development Operations Manager, B Street Theatre, Sacramento, CA
Elijah Simmons
House Minority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Communications and minoring in Political Communications
Intern, Office of Governor John Carney
Chase Barnes
House Minority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Health Policy
B.A. in Political Science, Columbia College
2021 Local Government Management Fellow
Building Coordinator, Tower at STAR, University of Delaware
Valeria Coverdale
House Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student
B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy, University of Delaware
2021 Legislative Fellow
Governmental Relations Fellow, Hamilton Goodman Partners
John Drummond
House Minority Caucus
M.P.P. student
Dual B.S. in Accounting and Finance, Post University
2021 Legislative Fellow
Intern, RM Law, Colorado
Elliot Gray
Division of Research
M.P.P. student
B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Economics, Temple University
2021 Legislative Fellow
Communication Intern, Pennsylvania Innocence Project
Areeba Khan
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student in International Relations
President, Muslim Student Association
Senator, Student Government Association
Summer Fellowship, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce
William Lescas
Senate Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Public Management and Finance
M.S. in Political Science, Aarhus Universitet
Honors B.A. in International Relations with minors in Economics and English, University of Delaware
2021 Legislative Fellow
Alexander Makowski
House Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student
B.S. in Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Delaware
Hafsah Mansoori
Division of Research
B.A. student majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Public Health and Women and Gender Studies
2021 Legislative Fellow
Intern, Office of Governor John Carney
Devonna Marshall
House Majority Caucus
M.P.P. student specializing in Social and Education Policy
B.S. in Psychology, East Stroudsburg University
AmeriCorps Alumna
Madison Matera
Senate Minority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Policy Analysis
B.A. in Public Policy and Political Science, University of Delaware
2021 Local Government Management Fellow
Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
Wyatt Patterson
House Majority Caucus
Honors B.A. student majoring in Public Policy and Women and Gender Studies and minoring in Journalism
State Director, March For Our Lives Delaware
Hannah Rigoglioso
House Majority Caucus
4+1 B.A./M.P.A. student majoring in Public Policy and minoring in History and Political Science
Development and Events Intern, Cancer Support Community
Undergraduate Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
Rachel Widom
House Majority Caucus
4+1 B.A./M.P.A. student majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Business Administration
Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
2021 Local Government Management Fellow
Alexis Wrease
Senate Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Communication and Public Policy, with a minor in Spanish
Undergraduate Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Organizing Authority Citizenship Research Project
Abigail Armstrong
Senate Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Public Policy
B.A. in Sociocultural Anthropology, Mercyhurst University
2020 Local Government Management Fellow, Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Chelsea Chatterton
House Majority Caucus
Honors Bachelor of Science (B.S.) student majoring in Exercise Science and minoring in Public Health and Strength and Conditioning
Undergraduate Research Summer Scholar
President, UD Student Alumni Ambassadors
Communications Coordinator, Blue Hen Ambassadors
Valeria Coverdale
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science and Public Policy and minoring in Legal Studies and Latin and Iberian Studies
Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons
Justyn Cox
House Minority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Policy Analysis
B.A. in Political Science, Wesley College
2020 Legislative Fellow
Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper
John Drummond
House Minority Caucus
M.P.P. student
Dual B.S. in Accounting and Finance, Post University
Intern, RM Law, Colorado
Cara Gannon
Office of the Controller General
M.P.A. student
B.A. in Political Science
Paralegal Certificate
2020 Legislative Fellow
Intern, Senate Majority Caucus
Val Gould
House Majority Caucus
M.E.E.P student
Master of Education, Educational Leadership and Administration, Cabrini University
Bachelor of Music, University of Delaware
18-year veteran educator
Drew Higgins
Senate Minority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science with a concentration in Global Politics and minoring in International Business and Environmental and Energy Policy
Intern, Office of U.S. Representative Bill Keating
Elliot Gray
Division of Research
M.P.P. student
B.A. in Communication Studies with a minor in Economics, Temple University
Communication Intern, Pennsylvania Innocence Project
Chelsea Jones
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science and Communications
Legislative Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Chris Coons
William Lescas
Senate Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student
M.S. in Political Science, Aarhus Universitet
Honors B.A. in International Relations with minors in Economics and English, University of Delaware
Fulbright Scholar to Denmark
Danish State Scholar
Hafsah Mansoori
Division of Research
B.A. student majoring in Public Policy and minoring in Public Health and Disability Studies
Intern, Office of Governor John Carney
A’lece Moore
House Majority Caucus
M.E.E.P. student specializing in Environmental Justice
B.S. in Biology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies, Iowa State University
Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Myra Ray-Howett
House Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Public Policy Analysis
B.A. in Anthropology with a minor in History, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Alexandra Southerst
House Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Public Policy Analysis
B.A. in Public Policy and French Studies, University of Delaware
Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Steven Mirsen
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Public Policy and History
Student Intern, South Jersey Legal Services
Data Analysis and Entry Intern, Education Law Center
English/Linguistics Italy Study Abroad Program
Nicholas Schrieber
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science and Public Policy
Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper
Anna Shields
Senate Majority Caucus
4+1 B.A./M.P.A. student majoring in Political Science and Public Policy and specializing in Public Policy Analysis
Legislative Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper
Reidel Vichot
House Majority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Nonprofit Management
Engineer in Telecommunications and Electronics, CUJAE (Cuba)
Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Jason Wardrup
Senate Minority Caucus
M.P.A. student specializing in Public Management
B.S. in Energy and Environmental Policy, University of Delaware
2019 Local Government Management Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
President, Blue Hen Veterans and Friends, Inc.
Simone Adkins
House Majority Caucus
4+1 B.A./M.P.A. student majoring in Public Policy, minoring in Political Science, and specializing in Nonprofit Management
Legal Intern, Wanda Akin & Associates, Newark, N.J.
Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Paul Ayala
House Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science and minoring in Economics
Policy Intern, Office of Governor John C. Carney
Intern, Diaspora Law: Immigration Lawyers
Pepper Chesser
House Majority Caucus
4+1 B.A. (Honors)/M.P.A. student majoring in Biological Sciences and Public Policy and specializing in Public Health
MPA Representative, Student Association of Public Administration
Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Jeff Chubbs
Division of Research
M.S. student in Energy and Environmental Policy
B.S. in Natural Resource Management, University of Delaware
Research Intern, U.N., Copenhagen, Denmark
Justyn Cox
House Minority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science, Wesley College
Intern, Office of U.S. Senator Tom Carper
Cara Gannon
House Minority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science
Intern, Federal District Court for the District of Delaware
Jorge E. Hernandez-Limon
House Majority Caucus
Dual B.S./B.A. student majoring in Civil Engineering and Political Science
National Science Foundation—Funded Civil Engineering Research Assistant
Study Abroad in Australia
Danielle Littmann
Division of Research
M.P.A. student specializing in Quantitative Analysis
B.A. in Legal Studies, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Public Administration Fellow, UD Institute for Public Administration
Alexa Adams
Senate Majority Caucus
B.A. student majoring in Political Science and Public Policy and minoring in Legal Studies
Intern, Office of Governor John C. Carney