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The University of Maryland is delighted to launch the Maryland Fellows Program in fall 2023. The aim is to prepare talented and diverse undergraduates to excel at their spring internships and pursue careers in public service, especially at the state and local levels. The centerpiece of the program is the Maryland General Assembly as well as other state and local organizations including NGOs and non-profits.

Maryland Fellows is launching as a collaboration between the Federal and Global Fellows Programs, the English Department's existing Maryland General Assembly Writing internship, and the Department of Government and Politics.

Many diverse new Fellows standing in a ballroom and listening to Jonathan Lee speak on a stage in fron of the UMD Fellows Program Logo

Fall 2023 Kickoff!

The UMD Fellows Program welcomed new students on Friday, Sep. 8, at its annual Kickoff. Students gathered to learn about the program, meet their cohort, chat with program staff, and connect with alums of the program. Director Joan Burton shared introductory remarks and three alums, Jessica (Preusch) Weinberg, (Te-hsuan) Jonathan Lee, and Ashwin Suryavanshi, spoke about their experience in the program. Energetic networking swept the ballroom after the talks concluded. The Kickoff marked the beginning of a promising year for students.

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The Maryland Fellows Program

The Maryland Fellows Program bridges the gap between academics and the practical world, and empowers students for future careers in government and policy, especially at the state and local levels. The program will deepen the State of Maryland flagship university’s pipeline for high-achieving undergraduate students of all majors to engage in the Maryland General Assembly Legislative Internships and in public service.

Maryland General Assembly

Maryland Internships

In the spring, the students will participate in internships of their choice in the public and non-profit sectors, especially in relation to local and state policy and practice. A centerpiece will be the Maryland General Assembly’s Legislative Internship Program and all students in the program will be encouraged to apply.

The Maryland Fellows Experience

Maryland Fellows students participate in an integrated combination of classroom and direct professional experience designed to provide a deep understanding of local and state policy and practice.


Fall Seminars

Learn about local and state policy in a fall seminar course taught by expert practitioners and leaders in their field.


Spring Internships

Engage in a spring internship for college credit, in the public and non-profit sectors, especially in relation to state and local policy.


Professional Opportunities

Attend workshops, roundtable discussions, and on or off-campus lectures about real-world issues.


Alumni Fellows Spotlights

Jane Lyons-Raeder Jane Lyons-Raeder works at the intersection of planning, organizing, and policy, with a focus on housing, land use, and transportation issues. She is currently a Principal Planner with the City of Rockville and was previously at the Coalition for Smarter Growth as Maryland Advocacy Manager. She serves on the Montgomery for All steering committee and the Claggett Center Board of Trustees. Her professional experience also includes EPA’s Smart Growth Program, the Maryland General Assembly, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and Montgomery County Council. Jane holds a Master of Public Policy with a specialization in City Management and Public Finance and BA in Economics, both from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is an alumna of the Federal Fellows program (Energy and Environmental Policy) and the Global Communities program.

Image of Selena Raj Rawlley Selena Raj Rawlley is a strategic political, government, and public affairs advisor with a focus on feminist and environmental policy. She currently serves as the Special Advisor to Comptroller Brooke Lierman, the first woman to be elected as Comptroller and to be independently elected to a statewide constitutional office in Maryland. Previously, Selena spent three years at the Maryland General Assembly, working her way up from being an intern, to a Legislative Director, to the Chief of Staff for Delegate Sara Love. Additionally, as the Campaign Manager for Delegate Love, Selena created, organized, and led StandUp MD, a pro-choice mobilization fellowship program designed to help elect pro-choice candidates across the state. Her previous internship experiences include the United Nations Foundation, AARP, and Banyan Global Consulting. Selena holds both a Master of Public Policy and a BA in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland. She is a two-time alumna of the Global Fellows program (Responses to Global Challenges and Science Diplomacy).