Media Contact: lauren_miller@hks.harvard.edu

CAMBRIDGE, MA – The Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School today announced the appointment of six Resident Fellows who will join the IOP for the Spring 2022 semester. The Fellows bring diverse expertise and experiences in elected office, politics, policymaking, public service and journalism for the challenges facing our democracy today.

“This is a critical time for our country and our democracy, and we are grateful to have an extraordinary group of Fellows from the highest levels of public service to engage our students on these important issues,” said IOP Director Mark D. Gearan ’78. “Their expertise in local and federal policymaking, campaigns, civic engagement, global affairs and journalism will help our students imagine their pathways forward and inspire them to lead lives of consequence.” 

Spring 2022 Resident Fellows:

• Brendan Buck (@BrendanBuck) – Partner, Seven Letter; former Counselor to House Speaker Paul Ryan; and former Press Secretary to House Speaker John Boehner

• Christine Chen (@ChristineChenDC) – Executive Director, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote

• Mayor Kim Janey (@Kim_Janey) – Former Mayor, City of Boston

• Jody Olsen – Former Director of the Peace Corps (2018-2021); former Peace Corps Acting Director, Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, Regional Director, and Country Director, Togo (2002-2009, 1989-1992, 1979-1984)

• Maya Rupert (@MayaRupert) – Distinguished Fellow, Community Change; Former Campaign Manager, Julián Castro for President and Maya Wiley for New York Mayor; former Senior Advisor for Elizabeth Warren for President

• Gerald Seib (@GeraldFSeib) – Executive Washington Editor, The Wall Street Journal

“Our nation is at a perilous and divisive time in its history. Through the Fellows Program, our goal is to start discussions and build skills to equip future leaders of our nation to address these challenges,” said Alexa Jordan and Jessica Alexander, Student Co-Chairs of the Fellows and Study Groups program at the Institute of Politics. “This semester, we are pleased to welcome a Fellows cohort of diverse ideology and experience to engage with students in discussions about the ever-changing meanings of politics, public service, activism, and advocacy today. We hope that we can learn together and from one another. Your teams are eager to welcome you.” 

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. This Spring, Fellows will lead discussions on topics such as the state of the House of Representatives, the role of political parties in this age of disruption, racial justice and recovery, reshaping the political industry, building political power in the AAPI community, and international relations and global partnerships in the age of COVID.

“Now more than ever we need good, smart, decent young people to enter public service, and I hope I can inspire students to see that working in Congress can still be a noble pursuit,” said Brendan Buck.

“Being an IOP Resident Fellow is first, recognition of the dedication and impact that my APIAVote team and our partner network has made over the past 25 years! This fellowship at Harvard is an incredible platform to uplift the voices and experiences of Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and continue to fully inject ourselves into the mainstream political narrative,” said Christine Chen. “As the AAPI population in the US continues to grow, get elected and appointed to more leadership roles to govern our country, it is critical that we are included and represented in influential forums such as this.”

“I had the honor of leading my city during a time of unprecedented challenges,” said former Boston Mayor Kim Janey. “As an IOP Spring 2022 Resident Fellow, I am excited to join the Harvard community in discussions on how we move US cities forward as we tackle the twin pandemic of COVID and systemic racism.”

"I look forward to discussing US international relationships in a post-pandemic global environment with the next generation of leaders,” said Jody Olsen.

"I am incredibly honored to be a part of this program and to have a chance to learn from and with some incredible students," said Maya Rupert. "I never saw electoral politics as part of my career path, and now I'm so grateful for the experiences that I have had. I think there are a lot of people who don't see themselves and their values reflected in our politics and, as a result, don't think there is a career path here for them. I'm really hoping to help change that."

“I very much look forward to the chance to work with the faculty and students at the Kennedy School to jointly think through some of the questions facing the American political system in a difficult period,” said Gerald Seib. “I hope my four decades covering Washington will allow me to give something back to today's students, who will be tomorrow's leaders, and I am sure they will enlighten me as well.”

Study groups will begin the week of February 14. For more information, you can view the complete bios of our Spring 2022 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 perspectives 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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