The Virginia Governor’s Fellows program places participants in different positions throughout the administration.
‘Ms. Madison’ goes to Richmond
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Emily Baker (’21) learned firsthand the inner workings of Virginia’s executive branch as a Governor’s Fellow By Amy Crockett (’10) t was in her political science and english classes at JMU when Emily Baker (’21) first felt compelled to leave her footprint in state government. With extra encouragement from her professors, she applied to the Virginia Governor’s Fellows Program in Spring 2021 and was selected. The fellowship, from June 1–July 30, places participants in different positions in the Governor’s Office and in various agencies throughout the administration. The program attempts
Madison magazine: How did you hear about the fellowship opportunity? Emily Baker: I heard about the Virginia Governor’s Fellows Program during my sophomore year through older JMU students who had participated. [Last] year, I heard about the program and application because two of my wonderful professors, Dr. Carah Ong Whaley and Dr. Allison Fagan, directly emailed me and told me that they thought I would love this opportunity. They were completely right, and I feel so lucky to have [had] such wonderful professors and mentors at JMU.
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to match Fellows with compatible assignments according to their backgrounds, interests and goals. Shortly after the fellowship wrapped up, Baker, who earned President’s List distinction at JMU, began pursuing a law degree from the College of William & Mary, where she plans to earn a J.D. in 2024. Madison connected with Baker to hear her ref lections on the very selective fellowship, highlights from her time in Richmond and much more.
“I was very inspired by my colleagues, empowered by the work I saw happening in Virginia, and overall felt incredibly lucky to be there.” – Emily Baker (’21)
Madison: How long has the fellowship been around? Baker: Former Gov. Chuck Robb established the program in 1982 to give rising college seniors, graduating seniors and graduate
students an opportunity to gain firsthand experience working in an administration alongside staff and under cabinet secretaries. Madison: Talk about the application process. Was it arduous or highly selective? Baker: Every year, there are hundreds of applications, and [last] year they selected 25 of us to be Fellows. To be eligible, you have to be a rising college senior, graduating senior or graduate student enrolled in a Virginia college, or a Virginia resident enrolled in an out-of-state college. They are looking for people who are committed to excellence PH OTO G R A PH S CO U RT E SY O F E M I LY BA K E R ( ’ 2 1 )
