Get to know Scott Smith, former mayor of Mesa, AZ, former president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and fourth-generation Arizonan. Mayor Smith is an IOP Fall 2015 Resident Fellow whose study group will focus on cities as a hub for innovation- in politics and beyond!

Meet the IOP Fall 2015 Resident Fellows! We sat down with Candy Crowley, former anchor and chief political correspondent at CNN, to talk about politics, media, and her burning questions for the 2016 presidential contenders.

President Barack Obama calls the Iran nuclear deal the most important foreign policy debate since the Iraq War.

​As students, we often make tough choices as we decide where to spend our summers and start our careers. We consider different industries. We debate the merits of startups and established organizations. We choose between pursuing profit and social good.

My first day working at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea was not one of making coffee and filing papers. In fact, not even two hours into my internship, I was able to witness a historic moment for the country: a presidential veto.

America is facing a civic engagement crisis as political apathy soars and trust in government falls, particularly among my fellow Millennials. I have been one of these disillusioned Millennials. Being from a solidly red district in a decidedly blue state, I know what it is like to feel as if my vote does not really matter. One thing that I have learned, though, is that my voice is still relevant, particularly in my local community.

Applying to college is complicated. Every college has its own set of forms and deadlines, and each student who applies must comb through different websites to figure out his or her specific requirements. It is too easy for students to miss important deadlines, especially for students in schools with over-worked counselors and limited resources. 

​As I reflect over the past 2 months of my quickly concluding 10 week internship, I can say with confidence that yes, I do have a clearer understanding of what a career in IR could be and no, I still don’t have any idea what my career will be – but that’s okay.

Harvard’s Institute of Politics (IOP), at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, today announced the selection of the 2015 IOP Fall Resident Fellows. The 2015 Fellows roster reflects expertise in foreign policy, political communications, campaign and digital strategy, journalism and political leadership in state, local and federal government.

I had to read it a few times over and even emailed my supervisor back to clarify what I had read. Nope, no discrepancies; I was being invited to present to current interns and staff at the EPA about the Pathways Programs with the aim of persuading them to consider pursuing a career path in the federal government.

I am now more than halfway through my internship researching abortion at el Instituto de Investigación en Ciencias Sociales at la Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago, Chile. I have been working with Lidia Casas, an expert on abortion at the university's law faculty, and also with Alejandra Ramm, a professor and sociologist at the Observatorio de Desigualdades.

​Perhaps it was looking down the rope line at the President, realizing his inevitable approach and the handshake that would follow. Perhaps it was when I stepped off the bus and walked the red carpet into San Francisco City Hall, decked to the nines to greet the nation’s mayors. Or perhaps it was on the bus back, when I texted my LA-native friend, the only person I knew who would be awake to hear my story...