PAIA launches two new fellowship opportunities for MPA and MAIR students

The $10,000 awards will be made in partnership with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute  and the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Students admitted to the 2016 MPA and/or MAIR classes who are current or former interns of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) and Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will now qualify for a tuition scholarship valued at $10,000. The new program, starting next year and continuing beyond, represents at partnership between Maxwell’s Department of Public Administration and International Affairs (PAIA), CHCI, and CBCF.  

CHCI or CBCF interns will also be considered for additional funding through the department’s traditional awards process. The CHCI Maxwell Fellowship Awards and CBCF Maxwell Fellowship Awards will be provided to eligible students admitted into the MPA, MAIR, or any other PA/IR joint degree, with the exception of dual JD degree candidates.  A letter of support attesting to the successful completion of their internship will be required for the official administration of these awards. 

Creation of the fellowships builds on more than 10 years of successful collaboration between Maxwell and the two caucus organizations, according to Christine Omolino, director of admission and financial for PAIA. “These fellowships serve as testament to our commitment to a diverse public service and in recognition of the talented individuals that CHCI and CBCF mentor throughout the year,” Omolino says. “We have appreciated the opportunity to showcase the versatility of graduate degrees in the fields of public policy, administration, and international affairs to talented and promising young professionals that these organizations bring to Washington, D.C., each semester for their internship programs.  We expect these new Fellowships to strengthen these already well-established partnerships.” 

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute is a Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan leadership development organization, which educates, empowers, and connects Latino youth by providing leadership development programs and educational services. CHCI directly impacts the lives of more than 1,700 students and young professionals each year through its fellowships, congressional internships, scholarships, Ready to Lead (R2L®) college readiness program, and R2L NextGen program. CHCI NextOpp is its latest resource allowing young Latinos to save, search, and share life-changing opportunities for Latinos across the United States. CHCI brings nearly 80 college undergraduates each year to Washington, D.C., for its Congressional Internship Program, exposing young Latinos to the legislative process and strengthening their leadership skills, thereby promoting the presence of Latinos on Capitol Hill and in public policy positions. (www.chci.org)

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation advances the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. CBCF works to facilitate the exchange of ideas and information to address critical issues affecting our communities; provide leadership development and scholarship opportunities to educate the next generation of leaders; promote public health and financial empowerment for all communities through innovative programs; and develop strategic research and historical resources for the public, academics, educators, and students. (www.cbcfinc.org) 11/23/15