CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – The Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School today announced the appointment of six Resident Fellows and two Visiting Fellows who will join the IOP for the Spring 2023 semester. The fellows bring diverse experience in politics, elected office, global affairs and journalism to address the changes facing our country and world today.

“At this pivotal moment for our politics in the United States and democracy around the world, we are excited to welcome an incredible group of Fellows to Harvard to engage and inspire our students,” said IOP Interim Director Setti Warren. “Our Fellows’ experience at the highest levels of government, politics, foreign affairs, and journalism will help our next generation of leaders understand the endless possibilities in front of them.” 

Spring 2023 Resident Fellows:

• Kristin Amerling: Chief Counsel and Deputy Staff Director, House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (2021-2022) 
• Negah Angha: Associate Vice President, The Cohen Group; former Director for Multilateral Initiatives, National Security Council
• Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler: U.S. Representative (R, WA-3) (2011-2023)
• Quentin Fulks: Political Strategist and Campaign Manager, Warnock for Georgia (2022)
• Matthew Raymer: Chief Counsel, Republican National Committee
• Jason Rezaian: Washington Post Opinions Columnist 

Spring 2023 Visiting Fellows:

• Governor Kate Brown: Governor of Oregon (2015-2023)
• Rep. Cheri Bustos: U.S. Representative (D, IL-17) (2013-2023) 

"We warmly welcome our diverse 2023 Spring Fellows Cohort, who will have the opportunity to inspire students from across campus through profound and edifying discussions on politics, social issues, and community service," said Sebastian Ramirez Feune ‘25 and Liz Benecchi ‘25, Co-Chairs of the Fellows and Study Groups program at the Institute of Politics. "Throughout this semester, we hope to continue supporting FSG as the home to diversity of thought and identity, which is imperative to our nation’s political discourse. As we enter 2023, we come out of a year of great political intensity, from global struggles with democracy and territorial integrity to the increased divisiveness of a new Congress. This incoming Fellows Cohort will bring much-needed conversations to the table to help inspire and enrich the perspectives of students not only at the IOP, but also in the greater Harvard community."

IOP Resident Fellows immerse themselves in the Harvard community by residing on campus, mentoring a cohort of undergraduate students, holding weekly office hours, and leading an eight-week, not-for-credit study group based on their experience and expertise. Fellows will hold study groups on topics including government ethics and oversight, diplomacy and statecraft, governing in a divided America, modern campaigns, national political parties, and Iran and freedom of the press. Visiting Fellows will come to the IOP several times throughout the semester for a variety of discussions, events, and programming.

"I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with students and fellow public servants to promote understanding of the role of congressional investigations in our constitution-based system, and to engage with them about the challenge of ensuring constructive congressional oversight," said Kristin Amerling.

"I'm thrilled to be joining the Harvard IOP community – a community that embodies democratic values, collective wisdom, and aligns with my personal values," said Negah Angha. "As an American woman of Iranian heritage, I'm honored to be selected for this fellowship and to work with a new generation of grand strategists and public servants shaping our world’s future."

"When asked to help lead curious and passionate minds in candid conversations about the state of American politics, I said count me in! Today we desperately need transformational leaders to meet our nation’s challenges head-on and there is no better place to have these deliberative discussions than at Harvard’s IOP, where tomorrow’s leaders are preparing to take their place in history," said Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler.

"I look forward to following in the footsteps of those practitioners in politics and public service whose work I’ve studied and admired since entering the industry," said Quentin Fulks. "I’m excited to engage and learn from the other distinguished fellows, Harvard students and faculty to push our understanding of the most pressing public issues facing our democracy with both shared and unique perspectives."

"I am thrilled to be joining the IOP Community as part of this incredible group of Resident Fellows," said Matt Raymer. "Harvard's students are nothing less than extraordinary, and it is truly an honor to help teach this next generation of world leaders. I can't wait to get started."

"I can’t imagine a more appropriate time to be returning to Harvard," said Jason Rezaian. "Momentous events are gripping Iran, the U.S. and its allies are all struggling to combat a new kind of hostage taking, and the very notion of press freedom is under greater threat today than ever before. Engaging with the university community as an IOP Fellow on these issues and others is a unique and incredible opportunity I feel extremely fortunate to have."

Study groups will begin the week of February 13. For more information, you can view the complete bios of our Spring 2023 Fellows at iop.harvard.edu/fellows and stay up to date on IOP programming at iop.harvard.edu/calendar.

About the Institute of Politics

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, policymakers, and journalists on a non-partisan basis to inspire them to pursue pathways in politics and public service. The Institute and its 16 programs blend the academy with practical politics and offer students the opportunity to engage in current events and to acquire skills and perspectives that will assist in their postgraduate pathways.

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