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Schar School Master’s in Public Administration student Dymon Bailey has been awarded a 2021 Governor’s Fellows Program fellowship from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam.
The Virginia Beach native is one of 25 students selected from Virginia public universities who is spending the summer working in an office in Virginia’s executive branch. In addition to working in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, Bailey will receive a $3,600 stipend.
“This experience with the Governor’s Fellows Program has given me an opportunity to see what the inside of our state government looks like,” she said. “As I grow into my career field of choice, it is important that I build a network of like-minded peers and mentors within this program, and I have the opportunity to do just that.”
Through a variety of projects, fellows will sharpen their leadership skills and gain a deeper understanding of the work and decision-making at the highest level of Virginia’s executive branch. The fellows also learn from special guest speakers from the Northam administration and take field trips across the Commonwealth.
“We are thrilled to welcome this new class of fellows to the governor’s office and the unique perspectives, energy, and experiences that each one of them brings to our administration,” Northam said in a statement. “Our Commonwealth is fortunate to have these talented young Virginians serving in state government, and I look forward to their contributions as we continue working to build a stronger, fairer and more inclusive Virginia.”
Former governor and Schar School distinguished visiting professor Chuck Robb established the prestigious program in 1982, giving rising college seniors, graduating seniors, and graduate students an opportunity to gain firsthand experience working under Cabinet secretaries and alongside staff in the Office of the Governor.
Bailey, it would seem, is in it for the long haul.
“I hope to one day work in state or local government and become an influential politician,” Bailey said. “Black people remain underrepresented in politics and this program will better equip me to help support the movement to end racial injustice.”