Bloustein School alumni Qudry Adeyanju MPP ’23 and Jeffrey Young, MCRP ’23 were recently selected as William and Hannah Penn Fellows, a two-year program that enables recent graduates to serve in agencies in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and work on specific policy projects.
“The Shapiro Administration is focused on addressing the real-life challenges faced by Pennsylvanians,” said Neil Weaver, Secretary of Administration in the official announcement. “The William and Hannah Penn Fellows will be at the forefront of developing solutions through policy and program proposals to achieve the Governor’s priorities and contributing to the agencies’ and Governor’s Office policy teams.”
The William and Hannah Penn Fellowship is granted to talented, passionate individuals with a commitment to public service and a drive to help make Pennsylvania a better place to live. Through the fellowship, aspiring professionals with master’s or other advanced degrees have the opportunity to work with the state’s top executive leaders on projects that support the Governor’s policy priorities, including workforce development, broadband access, business opportunity, clean energy, housing, climate change, agriculture, aging, long-term care, and emerging technology.
Qudry will be working at the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). “My project focuses on identifying the current challenges in the behavioral health workforce, particularly in the areas of substance use and problem gambling disorders,” he said. “I will also be assisting DDAP in implementing effective, evidence-based solutions.” In his role, he will also have the opportunity to collaborate with policy offices in sister agencies to coordinate healthcare workforce-related efforts.
Jeffrey will be assigned to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Policy Office, reporting to PennDOT’s Policy Director. His role will be to help shape policy to make transportation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania safer, more equitable, and more sustainable. “I am currently assisting with PennDOT’s Environmental Justice Strategic Plan and the development and implementation of a statewide mural policy,” he said. “Additional responsibilities will include performing research and providing legislative analysis and recommendations.”
Fellowship candidates undergo a rigorous application and screening process. Fourteen fellows were selected this year and include Pennsylvania natives who earned their advanced degrees at Pennsylvania institutions as well as candidates from New Jersey, Minnesota, and Washington states. Their fields of study included public administration, public policy, social work, health policy, city and regional planning, adult education, and ecosystem management.