Introducing the Class of 2027 First-Year Fellows

The First-Year Fellows program is uniquely designed to be much more than an internship. Prior to their placement, Fellows take two academic courses—one on public policy and one on statistical methods—and participate in the Dartmouth Leadership Attitudes and Behaviors program. 

During the spring term, Fellows are selected through a competitive application and interview process and then matched with an alumni mentor and placement organization best suited to their academic and career interests.

At the end of the spring term, the students begin Civic Skills Training (CST) which provides them with additional instruction in public speaking, networking, workplace writing, project management, and professionalism. In June, Fellows reconvene in Washington, D.C. for an additional five days of training the week before their 8-week fellowship begins.

Mentors and fellowship placement organizations commit to providing the student meaningful work, first-hand experiences in the policymaking process, and advice about potential career paths.

The Rockefeller Center congratulates the following members of the Class on 2027 on their selection into the First-Year Fellow program, and acknowledges the First-Year Fellow mentors, whose dedication and support make this program possible.

• Reva Gandhi, Committee for a Responsible Budget (CRFB) with mentor Cathy Solomon '82
• Annabelle Zhang, Health Affairs with mentor George Linzer '83
• Ben Stevenson, League of Conservation Voters with mentor Tiernan Sittenfeld '96
• Ajayda Griffith, Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand with mentor Kirsten Gillibrand '88
• Alan Cui, Brookings Institution with mentor Aaron Klein '98
• Grace Moore, Office of U.S. Congressman Sean Casten with mentor Sean Casten '98
• Samay Sahu, Office of U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan with mentor Tanner Bielefeld Pruitt '22
• Gracie Bartos, Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Select USA with mentor Ruth Hupart '08   
• Harper Kucik, Human Rights Campaign with mentor Nikolas Nartowicz '07
• Harper Richardson, Government Accountability Office with mentor Allison Bawden '99
• Miller Goldsmith, Penta Group with mentor Matt McDonald '00
• Eli Moyse, Brooks, Bawden, Moore, LLC with mentor Ben Bawden '99
• Dainie Neely, Office of Representative Annie Kuster with mentor Annie Kuster '78
• Joanie Wood, TAG Strategies with mentor Sally Portman '17
• Mackenzie Wilson, Office of U.S. Congressman Thomas Kean with mentor Thomas Kean '90
• Margaret de la Fuente, Department of Education with mentor Lauren Kennedy '02
• Margaret Edmonds, Health Affairs with mentor Mike Heslin '08  
• Michael Dicostanzo, Office of U.S. Congressman Alex Mooney with mentor Alex Mooney '93
• Will Nelson, U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce with mentor Christian Haines '01  
• Yasmine Marrero, Globally with mentor Josh Marcuse '04