McCourt School launches new visiting fellowship for Congressional Tri-Caucus members

Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy will further its commitment to provide more frequent and meaningful collaboration with the policy community through a new, unique initiative. Current and former members of the Congressional Tri-Caucus — a diverse coalition of legislative leaders representing the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, the Congressional Black Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus — will be invited to participate in the McCourt Tri-Caucus Visiting Congressional Fellows program.

Visiting Congressional Fellows will draw on their congressional experience and professional expertise to help introduce students to new perspectives on contemporary policy issues affecting underrepresented communities. During their tenure at the McCourt School, the Fellows will conduct guest lectures and host seminars, convene dialogues and debates, and serve as guides and mentors for McCourt School students as they prepare for careers in policy and advocacy. 

The McCourt Tri-Caucus Visiting Congressional Fellows program, sponsored in part by T-Mobile, will welcome Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) as the inaugural fellowship recipient in January 2025. Congresswoman Beatty has represented Ohio’s Third Congressional District since 2013 and was chair of the Congressional Black Caucus from 2021 to 2023.

“As Chair Emerita of the Congressional Black Caucus, I am truly honored to be the first McCourt Tri-Caucus Visiting Congressional Fellow,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “From my early career at The Ohio State University to my most recent advocacy for diversity, equity and inclusion in medical education, I’ve understood academia’s power to shape how we think, work and live. The McCourt School’s commitment to embracing the voices of those traditionally excluded from policy development exemplifies the inclusive leadership we need in higher education and government.”

Clint Odom, founding member of the McCourt Advisory Board , said the McCourt Tri-Caucus Visiting Congressional Fellows program will also help bring more diverse voices into public policy. 

“This new initiative will create a pathway for McCourt students who aspire to be a changemaker. I am honored that Congresswoman Beatty, who has been a vocal leader and advocate for the issues affecting her constituents for more than a decade, is leading the way for other policy community members to be a part of this important work,” said Odom.

A new opportunity for students to engage with policymakers

Beginning in the fall of 2025, the McCourt School will welcome its first cohort of Congressional Scholars. Selected students with undergraduate degrees from Minority Serving Institutions will be awarded a partial scholarship for their McCourt School education and offered a paid assistantship working alongside the McCourt Tri-Caucus Visiting Congressional Fellows. 

“The McCourt School is dedicated to educating hundreds of rigorously trained and ethically grounded leaders from various backgrounds to become public service leaders. We aspire to build a student body that more accurately reflects our country and the world, especially by including students from backgrounds currently underrepresented in leadership positions across sectors,” said Leslie Evertz, director of strategic initiatives at the McCourt School.

By pairing scholarship funds with a valuable professional opportunity, the McCourt School Congressional Scholars program will significantly reduce the financial barriers to a McCourt education, providing students with a unique chance to gain hands-on experience working with distinguished public officials and the wider McCourt community.

“I look forward to inspiring and guiding these emerging leaders as they take on the urgent and transformative work ahead for our nation,” said Congresswoman Beatty. 

Applications for the McCourt School Congressional Scholars program will open in February 2025.