FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Esten Perez
January 20, 2016
(617) 496-4009

HARVARD’S INSTITUTE OF POLITICS ANNOUNCES SPRING RESIDENT AND VISITING FELLOWS

Republican Strategist and Fall 2013 IOP Fellow Beth Myers to Lead Campaign and Advocacy Workshop

Cambridge, MA – Harvard’s Institute of Politics (IOP), at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, today announced the selection of the 2016 IOP Spring Resident and Visiting Fellows.  The IOP was established in 1966 as a memorial to President Kennedy and aims to inspire undergraduates to enter careers in politics and public service. 

“We welcome the Spring 2016 IOP Fellows class — a dynamic group of leaders reflecting the powerful impact political engagement can have both inside and outside government,” said Harvard Institute of Politics Director Maggie Williams.  “I know our students and the entire Harvard community will be inspired and energized by their presence.”

Over the course of an academic semester, Resident Fellows interact with students, develop and lead weekly study groups and participate in the intellectual life of the Harvard community.  Visiting Fellows join the Institute for a shorter period and maximize their time meeting with students, faculty and Harvard research center staff.  More information is available http://bit.ly/2016SpringFellows

The following Resident Fellows will join the Institute for the spring semester:

• Karin Agness, founder and president, Network of enlightened Women (NeW); Forbes contributor; former attorney, Wiley Rein LLP;

• Anurima Bhargava, chief, Educational Opportunities Section (Civil Rights Division), U.S. Department of Justice (2010-16); director of Education Practice, NAACP Legal Defense Fund (2004-10);

• Anne Hawley, director (1989-2015) and director emerita, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum; executive director, Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities (1977-89);

• Annise Parker, mayor, city of Houston, TX (2010-15); city controller (2004-09) and city council member (1998-2003);

• Christopher Smart, special assistant to the President and senior director for international economics, trade and investment, National Security Council and National Economic Council (2013-15); deputy assistant secretary (Europe and Eurasia), U.S. Department of the Treasury (2009-13);

• Sir Peter Westmacott, British ambassador to the United States (2012-16); British ambassador to France (2007-12); British ambassador to Turkey (2002-06)            * Westmacott will jointly serve as an Institute of Politics Resident Fellow and Senior Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs *

The Institute is also pleased to host Gary Locke, United States ambassador to China (2011-2014); United States secretary of commerce (2009-11) and governor of Washington (1997-2005) and Gerald S. McGowan, United States ambassador to Portugal (1998-2001) and Of counsel, Lukas, Nace, Guitterez and Sachs, as Visiting Fellows.  Visiting Fellows traditionally meet with student groups; lead discussion groups on topical issues and their experiences in public and political service; and participate in public policy classes with students and Harvard University faculty.     

Fall 2013 IOP Fellow Beth Myers, partner at Esplanade Strategies and former advisor, Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign; campaign manager, Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign; and chief of staff, Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (2002-06) will lead the Institute’s "Campaign and Advocacy” workshop this spring.  The initiative offers undergraduates a hands-on look at campaign mechanics, aiming to improve students’ working knowledge of campaign management and help them build a portfolio of experience for use on political and advocacy efforts‎. 

The Fellows program is central to the Institute’s dual commitment to encourage student interest in public life and to increase interaction between the academic and political communities. 

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Harvard University’s Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, was established in 1966 as a memorial to President Kennedy.  The IOP’s mission is to create the future of politics and public service every day, inspiring undergraduates to lead lives of purpose by committing themselves to the practice of politics, governing, public service and the countless opportunities to make a difference in the world. More information is available online at www.iop.harvard.edu.