By Taubman Center for State and Local Government
Hundreds of students and alumni have participated in state and local programs hosted by the Taubman Center for State and Local Government and other research centers at Harvard Kennedy School. How do these programs affect students and the communities they serve? We spoke with three current students who have taken part in multiple state and local experiential learning programs and courses. Here's what they shared.
Juan Bibiloni MPP 2026
Programs
Taubman Center Transition Term 2025, Mayor Christina Fugazi, City of Stockton, California
State and Local Economic Development Course, Spring 2025
Michael S. Dukakis Governors’ Summer Fellow 2025, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
How did you learn about Transition Term (T-Term) and the State and Local Economic Development course?
I learned about T-Term before I came to HKS—it was one of the opportunities that motivated me to pursue an MPP here as I sought to delve deeper into the intersection of politics and policy. My experience through T-Term then sparked an interest in pursuing more Taubman opportunities, which led me to take the State and Local Economic Development (SUP-683M) course offered in the spring. Continuing this path, I spent my summer as a Dukakis Fellow in the policy office of Governor Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan where I combined my passion for transportation with the highly dynamic needs of a state governor’s office.
What about your experiences were most meaningful to you?
In trying to tackle one of Mayor Fugazi's primary priorities—reducing vacancies in city jobs—my T-Term partner and I met with several organizations, ranging from the Green Economy Lab (a workforce development nonprofit) to San Joaquin County WorkNet. All these stakeholders outside of the city government structure had this commitment to Stockton that was infectious, and was only matched by their excitement of having a new mayor in city hall who was eager to seek their input and support within a week of being sworn in. During a time when the national news was uncertain and discouraging, these conversations lifted me up and clued me in to the positive impact state and local government can still have in nationally fraught times.
What advice do you have for students interested in state and local government?
Engage with Taubman! From participating in the programs above to just simply going to events, Taubman has provided a venue for me to engage with students, staff, and fellows that have similar or intersecting interests within domestic policy. Taubman has been my found home for testing assumptions, reinvesting in my career path, and exploring new areas of interest.
Alex Goth MPP 2026
Programs
Taubman Center Transition Term 2025, Mayor Patrick Farrell, Huntington, West Virginia
Michael S. Dukakis Governors’ Summer Fellow 2025, New York Governor Kathy Hochul
How did you learn about T-Term?
I learned about T-term when I was applying to the Kennedy School as part of my research into the MPP Program. The Taubman Center’s website was filled with exciting stories of impact, and I knew I wanted to try it for myself.
What experiences were most meaningful to you during T-Term?
One of the priorities we worked on during our T-Term placement was helping the City of Huntington achieve "functional zero." Huntington has a significant unhoused population, and the newly elected mayor wanted to change Huntington's processes and policies so that the functional level of long-term unhoused residents was zero. In January, we mapped what the provider landscape looked like and documented the user journeys for enrollment and case management. This let us recommend changes for streamlining the system, including working from a client-centric "by name" list. A few months after we left, the city, providers, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs launched the first pilot to reach functional zero for unhoused veterans. Being able to see how my work directly led to new policy and services is very gratifying.
What advice do you have for students interested in state and local government?
Tell somebody! We have an incredibly close-knit state and local government community at HKS, especially with faculty and alumni. I would encourage everyone to engage with the community—attending State + Local PIC events, enrolling in programming and courses, or just grabbing coffees—as soon as you develop an interest, because you unlock something really powerful.
Hannah San Sebastian MPP 2026
Programs
Taubman Center Transition Term 2025, Mayor Janet Cowell, City of Raleigh, North Carolina
Rappaport Public Policy Summer Fellowship 2025, Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development (EOED)
Taubman Center Economic Development Seminar 2025-2026
How did you learn about T-Term and the Rappaport Summer Fellowship?
I first learned about T-Term during a student panel featuring former Transition Term fellows from Durham, North Carolina. I was so inspired by the impact of their work and felt motivated to create similar change myself. It felt serendipitous when I was ultimately placed in nearby Raleigh! Later, I heard about the Rappaport Fellowship through conversations with other students passionate about local government.
What about your experiences were most meaningful to you?
During the Rappaport Fellowship, we participated in weekly networking and speaker events. Through these opportunities, I had the chance to meet and listen to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Massachusetts Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. I truly valued the small group interactions with such accomplished public leaders, especially as both are women serving in powerful roles. I left these conversations feeling deeply inspired.
What advice do you have for students interested in state and local government?
Get involved and don't be afraid to connect! Events at the Kennedy School, such as talks with mayors and Taubman Center Visiting Fellows' office hours, sparked my interest in local government. However, it was through my hands-on fellowship experiences that I really discovered my passion. Don't hesitate to seek out real-world opportunities and conversations; they make all the difference.
This story originally appeared on the Taubman Center for State and Local Government website.
