Eligibility and Selection

​Eligibility

All full-time graduate students and especially qualified undergraduate students of the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, and Wesley College are eligible to apply for the Legislative Fellows Program. Applicants should possess a strong background in degree programs including public administration, political science, sociology, urban affairs, public policy, communications, international relations, criminal justice, history, economics, or business administration.

Legislative Fellows are competitively selected each May and December for the next legislative session. All candidates are interviewed and must complete a timed-writing exercise on a current public policy issue. Applicants with an interest in the legislative process, government, or public policy analysis are preferred. Strong writing skills are required.

1. Application and Supporting Documents

• Legislative Fellows Application Guide
• Legislative Fellows Program Application - Online Form
• Faculty Recommendation Online Form
• Faculty Recommendation Printable Form
• Permission Form for Research Assistants

2. Writing Exercise

This one-hour timed-writing exercise is held in a computer lab on the University of Delaware's Newark campus on the same day that applications are due and simulates a duty Fellows might have at Legislative Hall. Applicants will be given material to read and asked to write a sample memorandum to a Delaware state legislator. Please RSVP to Program Manager Lisa Moreland prior to the day of the exercise.

3. Initial Interview

This is an informal 10-15 minute interview with Institute for Public Administration director Dr. Jerome Lewis and program co-managers Bernie Dworsky and Lisa Moreland. It is a way for the co-managers to get to know the applicant’s academic and professional backgrounds, as well as their interest in the program. Upon application receipt, program co-managers will provide further details.

4. Panel Interview

In this formal 20-minute panel interview, applicants will again see Dr. Jerome Lewis, Bernie Dworsky, and Lisa Moreland, but they will also meet five administrative assistants from Legislative Hall, who serve as Fellows’ supervisors in Dover. Panel members will ask applicants about academics, professional experiences, knowledge of Delaware state government, and other interview-relevant information. Applicants are encouraged to ask questions of the panel. Upon initial interview completion, program co-managers will provide further details.

Contact Us

For more information about the Legislative Fellows Program, please contact Program Manager Lisa Moreland.