McCourt School elevates its Leadership Fellows program
Select graduate student leaders at Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy will benefit from expanded professional development, enhanced networking resources and advanced training in equity-centered leadership, coaching and community-building.
Since 2020, the McCourt School of Public Policy’s Leadership Fellows program has offered a small cohort of returning graduate students unique professional development opportunities and advanced leadership training. More than 125 students have participated in the program, which has also begun hosting Leadership Fellow Alumni networking events to further prepare students for careers after graduation.
This year, Leadership Fellows have participated in several workshops to help build their capacity as coaches and mentors and facilitated engagement activities for first-year students and their peers.
“We are excited to provide Fellows with enhanced opportunities to develop critical skills to lead with empathy, tackle difficult conversations and build stronger, more inclusive teams,” said Jennifer Tobin, co-director of the Leadership Fellows program and associate professor of public policy at the McCourt School.
The Leadership Fellows, led by Jaclyn Clevenger, McCourt School director of student engagement, and Jennifer Tobin, associate professor of public policy, help administer McCourt Foundations.
McCourt Foundations , an intensive course designed to help new students transition into graduate school, is at the core of the Leadership Fellows’ role. McCourt faculty, staff and the Leadership Fellows lead McCourt Foundations programming to equip incoming students with essential leadership, communication and equity-focused decision-making skills.
“We built a strong community during Foundations, and our cohort is committed to maintaining that throughout our time at McCourt,” said Duana Blach De Macedo Miranda (MIDP’25), head Leadership Fellow in the 2024-2025 cohort.
Leadership Fellows participate in a team-building exercise during McCourt Foundations.
In March 2025, all returning McCourt School students enrolled in the 2025-2026 academic year who completed McCourt Foundations are invited to apply for the Leadership Fellows program. Selected Fellows will undergo rigorous training and play an essential role in facilitating orientation, McCourt Foundations programming and other activities throughout the academic year.
“The Leadership Fellows program has become such an integral part of the McCourt community, and we look forward to welcoming our next cohort of Fellows in the coming months,” said Jaclyn Clevenger, co-director of the Leadership Fellows program and director of student engagement at the McCourt School.