Fogel Scholars apply data analysis and military experience to pressing policy questions

Two graduate students in the McCourt School of Public Policy have been selected for the 2024–2025 Fogel Scholarship , which provides recipients with financial support and a semester-long internship with select scholars, economists, political scientists and foreign policy specialists at the American Enterprise Institute, one of the nation’s leading think tanks. Together, Fogel Scholars and AEI research faculty will conduct rigorous policy research on various topics, including economics, health care, poverty studies, foreign and defense policy, education, politics and public opinion, and society and culture.

The scholarship, made possible by generous support from triple Hoya and McCourt School Advisory Board member David Fogel (F’93, L’97, MBA’97), expands opportunities for students to engage across the political spectrum and deepens our commitment to foster diversity of thought at the McCourt School. 

Madeline Martinez (MPP’26), who studied politics and data science as an undergraduate, hopes to contribute to evidence-based research and advocacy efforts in national security and defense, technology and energy policy. With a McCourt education, she aspires to develop innovative solutions for entrenched societal challenges.

Gabriel McKern (MPP/MSFS’27), who is also a Newmark Scholar , seeks to pair his experience as an officer and later platoon leader in Afghanistan with courses on how successful counter-terrorism, irregular warfare and resistance movements are fought. His wider interest is in exploring how military campaigns can be merged more effectively with political goals. 

Learn more about the Fogel Scholarship here.