GU Politics Welcomes Spring 2026 Fellows Class 

The Georgetown University Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) at the McCourt School of Public Policy is pleased to announce its 22nd fellows cohort. This semester’s class hails from across the political spectrum and brings decades of experience in politics, public policy, technology, national security and journalism to the McCourt School and Georgetown community. 

Throughout the semester, members of the McCourt School and Georgetown University community at large will have the opportunity to connect with the fellows through discussion groups, case studies, one-on-one conversations and site visits — gaining unique insights on how Washington, DC operates and engaging with some of the most pressing political and societal challenges of today.

Over the past decade, GU Politics has brought over 117 of the biggest names in politics and journalism to campus as fellows. While fellows hold diverse perspectives and experiences, they are united in the common goal of working directly with McCourt School and Georgetown University students to advance the common good and spark thoughtful dialogue across campus.

Meet the Spring 2026 Fellows

This spring, the spring cohort also includes two visiting fellows. GU Politics’ Visiting Fellows are leading public servants, political practitioners or journalists who will spend a shorter, but still impactful period of time engaging with the Georgetown community.

Mehdi Hasan

Founder, CEO & editor-in-chief, Zeteo
Former host, MNSBC

Mehdi Hasan is an award-winning British-American journalist, broadcaster and author. He is the founder, CEO and editor-in-chief of the new media company, Zeteo. Hasan is also a columnist at The Guardian, host of Head to Head on Al Jazeera English and the best-selling author of Win Every Argument: The Art of Debating, Persuading and Public Speaking. He previously worked as an anchor at MSNBC and a columnist for The Intercept.

Stephen Martinko

Global Head of Product Public Policy, TikTok

Stephen Martinko is the global head of Product Public Policy at TikTok, where since 2020, he has helped steer the company through high-stakes challenges — shaping international debates on technology, security and digital governance. Previously, Martinko co-chaired the transportation and infrastructure policy practice at the global law firm K&L Gates and served as executive director of the Port of Pittsburgh Commission, one of the nation’s busiest inland ports. He spent more than a decade on Capitol Hill in senior leadership roles, including as deputy staff director of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and chief of staff to former chairman Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA). Martinko earned his B.A. with honors from Brown University and his M.A. from the National Defense University.

Julia Nesheiwat (MA’08)

10th White House Homeland Security advisor (1st Trump Administration)
Distinguished fellow and board member, Atlantic Council
Former deputy campaign manager, Harris for President

Julia Nesheiwat brings over 20 years of leadership and expertise in international energy, national security and environmental diplomacy as a former U.S. diplomat, White House official and U.S. Army veteran. Nesheiwat is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Global Energy Center and serves on multiple corporate advisory boards. She previously served as commissioner on the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, reporting to the White House and Congress on domestic and international Arctic issues. Before serving as Homeland Security advisor in the White House, Nesheiwat was the first chief resilience officer for the state of Florida. Previously, she was appointed as deputy assistant secretary of state responsible for building the State Department’s first Energy Resources Bureau and implementing energy policies worldwide. She also served as chief of staff to the U.S. Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy and senior advisor to the Under Secretary for Energy.

Monica Popp

Former chief of staff, Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
Co-president, Marshall & Popp
Former U.S. ambassador to Tanzania

Monica Popp, a founding partner of Marshall & Popp, is a prominent strategist with over two decades of policy experience across the legislative and executive branches at both the state and federal levels of government. Popp has served in numerous roles, including chief of staff to Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-TX), professional policy staff to the House Energy & Commerce Committee, health and tax policy advisor for Senator DeMint (R-SC) and as a political appointee within the Bush Administration at the US Department of Health & Human Services. She began her career in public service as the lead federal health advisor to Governor Jeb Bush (R-FL). She holds an MPH in public health from Johns Hopkins University and a B.A. from Texas A&M University.

Jon Tester

Former U.S. senator (D-MT)

Jon Tester served as a Democratic U.S. senator from Montana from 2007 to 2025. A third-generation organic farmer near Big Sandy. He previously served in the Montana State Senate from 1999 to 2007, serving as whip, minority leader and senate president during his Montana senate tenure. First elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006 by defeating incumbent Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), he won reelection in 2012 and 2018 before losing to Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT) in 2024. Known as a political moderate, Tester was most proud of his work for veterans, agriculture, a strong military and solid infrastructure investment. He currently works as an MSNBC political analyst, the podcast host of Grounded with Jon Tester and Maritsa Georgiou and a policy consultant.

Richard Walters

Former RNC chief of staff and senior advisor
Executive director, Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee

Richard Walters is a partner at FGS Global. Most recently, he served as the executive director of the Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, board member of the Trump-Vance Transition and senior advisor to the Chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Prior to those roles, he served as one of the senior executives in charge of the 2024 Republican National Convention, overseeing the planning and execution of the convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and as the chief of staff for the RNC, where he was responsible for building and managing a national political operation.

Want to get involved with the spring 2026 fellows?

The GU Politics Fellows offer students a rare peek behind the curtain into the way politics and public service actually work. Students will be challenged, informed and inspired through weekly discussion groups, office hours and small group conversations.