Mentorship program provides policy-making experience for students

By Chris Goodmacher
Daily Bruin Contributor

A former U.S. Senator, a former Congressman and the head of one
of the world’s largest private relief and development
organizations are among this year’s class of Senior Fellows
at the School of Public Policy and Social Research.

Students in the school are given the unique opportunity to meet
with a fellow on a regular, one-to-one basis as part of the
school’s mentorship program.

The fellows are involved with holding policy briefings on
current issues, serving as guest lecturers in classrooms, and
acting as mentors to one or more students in the school.

“The students’ learning is enhanced by learning from
key policy leaders. Basically, these are the kinds of people we
want the students to be,” said VC Powe, coordinator of the
program.

The program is in its fourth year and was initiated by the Dean
of the School of Public Policy and Social Research, Barbara
Nelson.

Its purpose is to bring together the worlds of academia, policy
making, analysis and action, Nelson said.

“Being in the White House was such a special experience
and I was pleased to share it with some of the graduate
students,” Former Deputy Assistant to President Clinton, John
Emerson said.

Last year, Emerson was a fellow and although not one this year,
is continuing on as a mentor. There are 13 fellows from past years
who are continuing as mentors.

Emerson was able to help the student he mentored secure an
internship with the White House Office of Management and
Budget.

“He was trying to get an internship with the Office of
Management and Budget and I strongly encouraged him,” Emerson
said. “The OMB puts you everywhere; they are very involved
with policies. So I called Jack Lou, the director and recommended
him.

“He had good interviews and he got the job with the
National Security Division,” he continued.

The program is unique to the School of Public Policy and Social
Research. It has a competitive application and selection process
and priority is given to second-year graduate students.

Interested students attend an hour-long orientation explaining
the mentorship program and read bios of the fellows for the coming
year. From that, they list their choices for mentorship.

“You also have to write about why you are interested in
the senior fellows program, what you expect to get out it, and why
you are interested in each of your top three choices for a
mentor,” said Tolani Adeboye, a graduate student and current
participant in the program.

Adeboye’s mentor is Management Editor for The Economist,
Frances Cairncross.

Cairncross works in London so most of their contact will be by
phone and e-mail, but Cairncross will come to the campus in January
to deliver a policy briefing. Adeboye said she is considering going
to London to see her in action at her job.

The ratio of mentors to students this year is about two students
to one mentor. This year, 45 to 50 students have mentors.

Once they are paired, mentors and students communicate regularly
by

e-mail or telephone, punctuated by personal visits.

“I want to challenge them and guide their decision making
with regard to their academic work and their career
planning,” said Bob Carr, former Congressman and current
fellow.

Fellows also hold policy briefings, which are scheduled
throughout the year and are usually open by invitation only,
depending on the event.

The briefings are an opportunity for the fellows to share their
expertise on a particular issue with the faculty and graduate
students in the school.

“They allow the faculty and other students to benefit from
their presence as well,”Adeboye said.