Georgetown alumni philanthropy supports GU Politics Fellows Program

Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) at the McCourt School of Public Policy named its newly renovated meeting and convening space for GU Politics Fellows the Charlie (L’98) and Lisa Spies Fellows Lounge in honor of the couple’s generous gift. Mo Elleithee , founding executive director of GU Politics, says the Fellows Lounge is central to the Institute’s mission of bringing people together to talk across differences. 

“Over the years, students and GU Politics Fellows have come together in the lounge to further explore discussion group topics, to talk about the news of the day, to get career advice and so much more,” he said. “Charlie and Lisa have been steadfast supporters and partners of the Institute since Day 1, and we are grateful to them for helping to ensure that we continue to have this permanent space for students and Fellows to bond.”

“In a time of extreme polarization in society and on many campuses, we support GU Politics because it has an established track record of bringing experienced political leaders with diverse viewpoints to campus,” said Charlie Spies , a Georgetown alumnus and a member of the inaugural class of GU Politics Fellows in the fall of 2015. “Political participation is a good thing, and GU Politics is providing practical education and experiences to a new generation of leaders,” he said.

Charlie Spies is an election law attorney in Dickinson Wright PLLC’s Political Law Practice and a member of GU Politics’ Advisory Board. In his quarter century of political law work at the highest levels nationally, he has served as counsel to presidential campaigns, the largest Conservative Super PACs, the Republican National Committee and the Federal Election Commission.

Lisa Spies has raised high-dollar and PAC contributions for national campaigns and organizations for more than 20 years. She is the president of The LS Group, Inc., a political and nonprofit fundraising and development firm. Lisa has also participated in career programming at GU Politics, serving on a panel and participating in the Institute’s annual Women in Politics and Public Service Networking event.

Since 2015, GU Politics’ Fellows Program has connected Georgetown students with dozens of leading political, government and media practitioners. The Institute’s Spring 2024 Fellows bring decades of experience to the Hilltop and come from across the political spectrum. 

Over eight weeks, each Fellow will lead a weekly 90-minute discussion group with students on a current political topic and offer one-on-one conversations through regular office hours, sharing their experiences with students, challenging their beliefs and opening doors into the world of politics.