New program introduces graduate-level professionals to public service careers.
HARRISBURG – The Shapiro Administration today welcomed 14 candidates selected for the William and Hannah Penn Fellows, a two-year program that brings fresh ideas from the best and brightest minds to serve in Commonwealth agencies and work on specific policy projects. The fellows gathered at the Governor's Residence today to meet with Shapiro Administration cabinet secretaries.
"The Shapiro Administration is focused on addressing the real-life challenges faced by Pennsylvanians," said Neil Weaver, Secretary of Administration. "The William and Hannah Penn Fellows will be at the forefront of developing solutions through policy and program proposals to achieve the Governor's priorities and contributing to the agencies' and Governor's Office policy teams."
The William and Hannah Penn Fellowship is granted to talented, passionate individuals with a commitment to public service and a drive to help make Pennsylvania a better place to live. Through the fellowship, aspiring professionals with master's or other advanced degrees have the opportunity to work with the state's top executive leaders on projects that support the Governor's policy priorities, including workforce development, broadband access, business opportunity, clean energy, housing, climate change, agriculture, aging, long-term care, and emerging technology.
Governor Shapiro is leading the way on opening the doors of opportunity to work in public service and developing work-based learning opportunities across Pennsylvania. That's why he signed an executive order emphasizing skills and experience in hiring for state government jobs, appointed a chief diversity officer to work across Commonwealth agencies, and expanded internships to expose more students to public service. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was recently ranked among the top employers in the nation by recent college graduates in a new survey conducted by Forbes Magazine and Statista.
Fellowship candidates undergo a rigorous application and screening process. Many of the fellows are Pennsylvania natives who earned their advanced degrees at Pennsylvania institutions of higher education, including University of Pennsylvania, University of Pittsburgh, Penn State, Shippensburg, Millersville, Eastern University, and York College. The program also attracted candidates from New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington state. Their fields of study include, public administration, public policy, social work, health policy, city and regional planning, adult education, and ecosystem management.
The 2023 William and Hannah Penn fellows are assigned to the Departments of Aging, Agriculture, Community and Economic Development, Corrections, Drug and Alcohol Programs, Environmental Protection, General Services, Human Services, Health, Labor and Industry, State, and Transportation, and the Office of Administration.
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