Washington Fellowship in Education Policy

Program
The Vanderbilt/Peabody Fellowship in National Education Policy is a four-month program in Washington, D.C., designed for doctoral students at Vanderbilt University.

Purpose
The program is intended to give participants an unparalleled opportunity to engage policymakers in Washington, D.C., about significant national education issues and higher education policy. Participants will have substantial exposure to federal legislative and regulatory processes, and learn how public opinion, special-interest groups, and the media influence these processes. In addition, by giving focus to a specific issue of his or her choosing, each participant will gain expertise regarding that topic, perhaps influencing national policy.

Setting
Participants will be based in Vanderbilt's Office of Federal Relations on Capitol Hill. The office is located within walking distance of the Congress and most executive branch agencies. By being physically located in Washington over a number of months, participants will be able to establish personal relationships with the people who influence such policies, make regular visits to governmental and non-governmental institutions, and attend a wide range of policymaking forums.

Content
Fellows will be essential members of the University's Federal Relations team, and will assist in a wide range of activities. Specifically, Washington Fellows will do the following: (1) Assist the professional staff of the Office of Federal Relations in their daily responsibilities, with special emphasis on monitoring, researching, interpreting, and synthesizing developments in national education policy, and (2) Undertake a special project on an important and timely issue in national education policy. The project, to be approved in advance by the Fellow's faculty adviser, should require substantial interaction with officials in Congress, the executive branch, and non-governmental organizations.

Supervision
Participants report to the fellowship faculty adviser in Peabody College, Professor Michael McLendon, who will review the outcomes of the special project. The Director of the Office of Federal Relations, Mr. Geoffrey Vincent, will provide day-to-day direction, and will provide the academic adviser with evaluations of the participant's overall activities.

Eligibility and Application
Eligible students include Vanderbilt University graduate students who have completed: (1) at least 30 hours of doctoral course work, and (2) at least three hours of course work in the politics or public policy of education/higher education. To apply, students should submit a vita and brief personal statement to the address below. The statement should describe how the Fellowship would further the applicant's research and/or professional interests. Deadline for applications will be announced.

Dr. Michael K. McLendon
Department of Leadership and Organizations
Vanderbilt University
GPC 414
230 Appleton Place
Nashville, TN 37203-5721
615-322-2355