Five from W&M selected as 2021 Governor’s Fellows
Governor's Fellows: The fellows will be placed in a division of the governor’s office for the summer and will work on a variety of projects while also hearing from special guest speakers and taking field trips across the state. Creative Commons photo
Five William & Mary alumni have been selected to participate in the 2021 Governor’s Fellows Program June 1-July 31, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced recently.
Nadiah Cooper ’21, Michael Jerakis ’21, Grace Poreda ’21, Mary Olivia Rentner ’21 and Randall Joseph Riffle ’21 are among 25 rising college seniors, graduating seniors and graduate students from across Virginia be selected for the program. William & Mary has more students participating in this year’s program than any other institution.
“We are thrilled to welcome this new class of fellows to the governor’s office and the unique perspectives, energy, and experiences that each one of them brings to our Administration,” said Northam in a press release.
The fellows will be placed in a division of the governor’s office for the summer and will work on a variety of projects while also hearing from special guest speakers and taking field trips across the state.
According to the release, the program aims to give participants firsthand experience working under cabinet secretaries and alongside staff in the governor’s office. For the first time this year, the fellows will receive a stipend of $3,600.
“Our Commonwealth is fortunate to have these talented young Virginians serving in state government, and I look forward to their contributions as we continue working to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive Virginia,” said Northam.
The annual program is open to students at Virginia colleges and universities as well as Virginians studying at out-of-state institutions.