A new fellowship honoring Benjamin Franklin aims to empower future inventor-diplomats
The Franklin Fellowship will prepare select McCourt School of Public Policy students to tackle global challenges through innovation and diplomacy and navigate the complexities of technology and policy in today’s world.
The McCourt School of Public Policy’s new Franklin Fellowship , a unique interdisciplinary program created and supported by Hannah Hummelberg, Miles Taylor and Georgetown University alums Rachel Braun Schoenfelder (SFS’12) and Luke Braun Schoenfelder (C’12 and founding member of the McCourt School Advisory Board ), honors the legacy of visionary inventor-diplomat Benjamin Franklin.
The two couples have worked at the intersection of policy and technology across their careers, and the fellowship reflects their shared commitment to empowering McCourt School students to tackle some of society’s most complex challenges, from cybersecurity and global resilience to artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
(Left to right) Luke Schoenfelder (C’12), Rachel Braun Schoenfelder (SFS’12), Miles Taylor and Hannah Hummelberg
The Franklin Fellowship allows first-year McCourt students to engage in hands-on research, mentorship and internships to hone the skills necessary to navigate the intricacies of emerging technologies and the nuances of global policy, much as Franklin did in his time. Fellows are matched to internships depending on their interests and experience and receive an $8,500 stipend.
“Benjamin Franklin was among the most influential intellectuals of his time, and we hope his many contributions to our nation will inspire a new generation of leaders at the intersection of technology and global policy,” said Schoenfelder.
Introducing the inaugural Franklin Fellow
Christian Hale (MPP/MBA’27)
Christian Hale (MPP/MBA’27), a first-year graduate student in the McCourt School’s dual Master of Public Policy and Master of Business Administration degree program, was named the inaugural Franklin Fellow.
After earning a degree in electrical and computer engineering from Harding University, Hale joined the Air Force as an acquisitions officer and space sensors engineer and, later, worked with the National Security Agency as a malware researcher. These experiences provided him with a solid foundation in programming, networking and government acquisitions and sparked an interest in supporting the growth of emerging economies.
“What many people don’t get to see is how much the military leverages its capabilities and manpower to aid and assist globally, whether through disaster relief, military advising or humanitarian technology transfer,” said Hale. “This less publicized part of our military’s service exposed me to the opportunities and innovations happening in developing economies and ultimately led me to Georgetown and McCourt.”
As a member of AfriKa, the student-led African Policy Student Association at the McCourt School, Hale (front row, right) has deepened his passion for policy and economic transformation issues across the continent.
Through research and collaboration, Hale seeks to explore how policies like tax incentives for investors, government-supported tech incubators and regulations surrounding acquisitions can boost the success of large projects domestically. He also aims to examine how America’s effective use of venture capital in the tech sector can be exported and tailored to support the growth of emerging economies.
“The Franklin Fellowship will provide unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities, equipping me with the skills necessary to be an effective leader in transforming technology policy. I am thrilled to prepare for my future at a supportive institution like McCourt,” he said.