When the second leg of the 151st Delaware General Assembly began on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, the Legislative Fellows Program proudly launched its 41st class of Legislative Fellows. During their six-month placement with the state legislature, 14 newly selected Fellows will have a front-row seat to observe the political decision-making process and contribute their research and writing skills to assist legislators in addressing critical public policy issues facing the state.
Of the 14 students selected as 2022 Legislative Fellows, 13 are representing the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration. As indicated below, the fellows serve with caucuses in the Senate and House of Representatives as well as in the Division of Research:
Senate Majority Caucus
- William Lescas – M.P.A. student specializing in Public Management and Finance
- Alexis Wrease – B.A. student majoring in Communication and Public Policy
Senate Minority Caucus
- Madison Matera – M.P.A. student specializing in Policy Analysis
House Majority Caucus
- Valeria Coverdale – M.P.A. student
- Areeba Khan – B.A. student majoring in International Relations
- Alex Makowski – M.P.A. student
- Devonna Marshall – M.P.P. student specializing in Social and Education Policy
- Wyatt Patterson – Honors B.A. student majoring in Public Policy
- Hannah Rigoglioso – 4+1 Honors B.A./M.P.A. student majoring in Public Policy
- Rachel Widom – 4+1 B.A./M.P.A. student majoring in Public Policy
House Minority Caucus
- Chase Barnes – M.P.A. student specializing in Health Policy
- John Drummond – M.P.P. student
Division of Research
- Elliot Gray – M.P.P. student
- Hafsah Mansoori – B.A. student majoring in Public Policy
Speaker of the House Peter C. Schwartzkopf said the program is a “win-win" for everyone. “The Fellows are Delaware's best and brightest, and they are an invaluable asset to have on board," he said. “At the same time, we are able to help the Fellows by involving them in the inner workings of our government and by opening doors for their future."
“In Dover, Legislative Fellows act as encyclopedias for lawmakers and our staffs. They have the answers before we even ask the questions. The research, data and policy points they bring to the table are invaluable as we craft bills and meet with the public," said House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf. “It's so encouraging to see such bright talent get involved with the political process at an early age. I always look forward to meeting the new Fellows each year and hearing about their aspirations to make an impact on our great state."
Valeria Coverdale first served as a Legislative Fellow in 2021, while completing her B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy. Valeria grew up in Milford, Del., and is returning for her second year as a Legislative Fellow while pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree.
During last year's legislative session, Valeria wrote a policy memo that researched healthcare options for undocumented immigrants. Watching the process of a bill becoming law, “has made the entire process more realistic to me," Valeria reflected. “In the future I hope to use these skills as either a legislative aid or lobbyist in one of the policy issues I am passionate about."
Jerome Lewis, director of the Institute for Public Administration and founder of the program, said the experience is beneficial to both the Legislative Fellows and the Delaware General Assembly. “It's a transformative experience for the students. They are exposed to things they haven't seen before—in politics and in life," he said. “The program provides the legislature with fresh talent every year, ideas and research capabilities that otherwise might not be so readily available."
Another second-year Legislative Fellow is William Lescas, an MPA student from Churchville, Penn., who continued his work with the General Assembly after the close of session last June by serving as the Aging-in-Place Working Group Coordinator under the guidance of Senator Spiros Mantzavinos (D), who is also a former Legislative Fellow (class of 1993).
“For me, the most meaningful experience was my ongoing research with aging-in-place for Senator Mantzavinos," said Will. “After working with the topic for a few weeks, I became incredibly interested, wrote two memos, and provided the research that formed the basis for the resolution that created a working group to address aging-in-place in Delaware. I have been fortunate to see other research influence the creation of legislation, but I think that this specific experience was the most meaningful. It really shows the impact that Legislative Fellows can have on the policy process."
Will contributed research to the development of Senate Concurrent Resolution 44, which created the Aging-in-Place Working Group. According to the resolution, the working group is tasked to “develop a plan to guide policies designed to promote successful aging-in-place for seniors in Delaware. The group will deliver preliminary recommendations to the General Assembly by March 30, 2022."
Reflecting on his first year as a Legislative Fellow, Will added, “The most significant change from my personal outlook has been my awareness of the importance of state and local government."
Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred, a former Fellow herself, believes the program provides unequaled exposure to very real challenges facing Delaware. “Our students get to observe how the law-making process works. It's not something you can learn from a textbook," she said. “There are so many people who play vital roles, and you have to immerse yourself in the day-to-day of Legislative Hall to see how it really works."
About the Legislative Fellows Program
Begun as a partnership between the University of Delaware and the Delaware General Assembly in 1982, the Legislative Fellows Program is now sponsored in cooperation with Delaware State University. The program began with placements in the House of Representatives, expanded in 1988 to include the Senate, and expanded again in 2014 to include the Division of Research. The Institute for Public Administration's Lisa Moreland Allred (MPA '98) manages the program.
According to Allred, “During their tenure, the Fellows will be assisting legislators to respond to constituent concerns, conducting nonpartisan research on cutting-edge public policy issues, and staffing committees. Staffing committees is a task that, in larger states, is conducted by full-time employees. Our Legislative Fellows count themselves lucky to be given such a prestigious and challenging responsibility."
Profiles of the selected students can be found on the 2022 Legislative Fellows page. Students interested in applying to become 2023 Legislative Fellows should contact Program Manager Lisa Moreland Allred.
About the Institute for Public Administration
The University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA) addresses the policy, planning, and management needs of its partners through the integration of applied research, professional development, and the education of tomorrow's leaders. Dr. Jerome Lewis is the director of IPA.
