CAMBRIDGE, MA — The Institute of Politics (IOP) at Harvard Kennedy School today announced the appointment of six Fellows who will join the Institute virtually this Spring semester. The incoming Fellows bring diverse experiences in public service, activism, and journalism with expertise on contemporary issues and challenges.

“Our six Fellows join us at an important moment in our civic life. Their experiences as a governor and presidential candidate, diplomat, journalist, thought leader, mayor, and activist provide unique perspectives to share. Harvard students will be able to engage with them on critical topics – from COVID to voter participation, the first 100 days of the Biden presidency to the future of the Republican Party,” said IOP Director Mark D. Gearan ‘78. “The IOP is grateful they will spend a semester with us and enhance dialogue across the Institute. Our mission has never been more relevant or important for our democracy.”

For over fifty years the Institute’s Fellows Program has provided Harvard students with the opportunity to learn from prominent public servants, engage in civil discourse, and acquire a more holistic and pragmatic view of our political world. 

Spring 2021 Fellows: 

• Steve Bullock - Governor of Montana (2013 – 2021)
• Bonnie Glick - Deputy Administrator and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Agency for International Development (2019 – 2020)
• Janet Hook - National Political Reporter, Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau
• Bill Kristol - Director, Defending Democracy Together; Editor-At-Large, The Bulwark
• Michael Tubbs - Mayor of Stockton, California (2017 – 2021)
• Nsé Ufot - CEO, New Georgia Project and New Georgia Project Action Fund 

“The world is watching the United States, waiting to see how our newly elected leaders will address the global pandemic, economic crisis, and domestic polarization,” said Nadia Douglas ‘23 and Victor Flores ‘23, Student Co-Chairs of the Fellows and Study Groups program at the Institute of Politics. “This cohort will help our community make sense of this inflection point and where we go from here, while continuing to inspire students’ passion for public service. We look forward to welcoming this class of Fellows to the Institute virtually this Spring.” 

Over the course of their appointment, Fellows will continue traditional cornerstones of the fellowship virtually. The Institute will convene study groups, led by Fellows, three times a week on pressing topics including the future of conservatism, city leadership, sustaining voter engagement, and foreign policy in post-COVID outbreak world. In addition, Fellows will immerse themselves in the Harvard community by mentoring IOP student leaders, holding virtual office hours for all students, serving as guest lecturers for faculty, and leading co-curricular programming. 

Study groups will begin the week of February 8th, 2021. For more information, you can view the complete bios of our Spring 2021 Fellows at iop.harvard.edu/fellows and stay up to date on IOP programming at iop.harvard.edu/calendar.

About the Institute of Politics Fellows Program

The Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School was established in 1966 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. The Institute’s mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists, and policymakers on a non-partisan basis to inspire them to pursue pathways in politics and public service. The Institute blends the academy with practical politics and offers students the opportunity to engage in current events and to acquire skills and perspective that will assist in their postgraduate pathways.

The Fellows Program has stood as the cornerstone of the IOP, encouraging student interest in public service and increasing the interaction between the academic and political communities. Through the Fellows Program, the Institute aims to provide students with the opportunity to learn from experienced public servants, the space to engage in civil discourse, and the chance to acquire a more holistic and pragmatic view of our political world. 

For more information on the fellowship program, including a full list of former fellows, visit: iop.harvard.edu. 

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