Harvard’s Institute of Politics Announces Fall Fellows

Cambridge, MA – Harvard’s Institute of Politics, located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, today announced the selection of an experienced group of individuals for Resident and Visiting Fellowships this fall. Over the course of an academic semester, Resident Fellows interact with students, participate in the intellectual life of the Harvard community and pursue individual studies or projects. Visiting Fellows join the Institute for a shorter period and maximize their time meeting with students, faculty and Harvard research center staff.

“Young Americans today are looking forward to improving our country through public service, a goal all of our fall Fellows have worked to achieve,” said Institute of Politics Director Bill Purcell. “These accomplished practitioners will be able to effectively illustrate for our students the critical role public servants can play and the difference we can all make in such challenging times.”

The following Resident Fellows will join the Institute for the fall semester and lead weekly study groups on a range of topics:

• Stephanie Cutter, former adviser, President Barack Obama; former counselor to U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, chief spokesperson for the Obama-Biden Transition, chief of staff to Michelle Obama (Obama for America Campaign) and senior adviser to U.S. Senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Harry Reid (D-NV)
• Rev. Leah Daughtry, CEO, 2008 Democratic National Convention Committee and former chief of staff, Democratic National Committee; pastor, The House of the Lord Church in Washington, D.C.
• Kim Gandy, attorney; former president, National Organization for Women (2001-July 2009)
• Gina Glantz, former senior adviser to Service Employees International Union (SEIU) President Andrew Stern and national campaign manager, Bill Bradley for President
• Brett McGurk, special adviser to President Barack Obama’s National Security Council (NSC) staff and senior adviser to two U.S. Ambassadors to Iraq; special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for Iraq and Afghanistan (July 2007–Jan. 2009); NSC director for Iraq (2005-2007); and former U.S. Supreme Court law clerk (2001-2002)
• Peggy Noonan, columnist, the Wall Street Journal; author of eight books on American politics and culture and former special assistant to President Ronald Reagan

Institute fall Visiting Fellows include Norm Coleman, former U.S. Senator (R-MN; 2003-2009), Terry McAuliffe, former Democratic National Committee Chairman and recent Democratic candidate for Governor of Virginia, and Ursula Plassnik, Member of the Austrian Parliament, Special Envoy for the International Women's network of the Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs and former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Austria and former President of the Council of the European Union. Coleman’s fellowship will take place in November while McAuliffe’s and Plassnik’s fellowships will occur during October. Visiting Fellows traditionally meet with student groups; lead discussion groups on topical issues and their experiences in public and political service; and participate in public policy classes with students and Harvard Kennedy School faculty.

The Fellows program is central to the Institute’s dual commitment to encourage student interest in public life and to increase interaction between the academic and political communities.

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