Kimiko Kelly (MPP ’01) was paired with Senior Fellow Michael Woo, a former member of the Los Angeles City Council, who now heads the Los Angeles office of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the U.S. Through the Senior Fellows program Kelly had the opportunity to attend a housing task force meeting and a retreat that focused on affordable housing issues in Los Angeles.

“It was great to learn that there is a place for me in this world, where people actually care and are working very hard to provide affordable housing in this city.”

David Bortnick (MPP ’01) was inspired by Senior Fellow John Emerson, a former deputy assistant to President Clinton, to take an internship with the Office of Management and Budget in Washington D.C., where he helped coordinate the Administration’s position on the FY 2001 Defense Authorization Bill.

“The Senior Fellows have opened doors to excellent networking opportunities. But the program is also a way to expand our minds and find out what it’s like out there – and how to get there.”

Veronica Melvin (MPP ’01) said her Senior Fellow, former Congressman Esteban Torres, reinforced what she learned in class with personal experiences from the field, a field where people are still needed.

“I think most of us want to someday become the people who are the Senior Fellows. So it’s a great source of motivation.”

Marcus Lam (MPP ’02) was matched with Senior Fellow Matt Fong. former California State Treasurer.

“The Senior Fellows program was great experience. My Senior Fellow met with us once a month for breakfast and every time we met, he always made an effort to make sure we got something out of the meeting. He really took time out for us and wanted to get to know us and shared a lot of his experiences with us. In fact, after the year was over, he continued to stay in touch.”