EBEN TISDALE PUBLIC POLICY FELLOWSHIP

About      History      Housing      FAQs      Apply
Program Components      Woodard Fellowship      Alumni Testimonials     
Advisory Board and Sponsors      Mentor Program

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

(Left to Right) ’09 Fellow Danielle Liffman, ’04 Fellow Erin Krampetz and Gwen Brown of Hewlett-Packard

The first of its kind, the Eben Tisdale Fellowship brings eligible students to Washington, D.C. for internships that explore current public policy issues of critical importance to the high technology sector of the economy. The Fellowship has two main elements:

Internships
One principal feature of is an eight-week internship from June 17-August 9 in the government relations office of a leading high technology company or association.  Fellows will be notified in mid to late April of their placement. The sponsors make contributions to the Tisdale Fellowship in return for the opportunity to host a summer intern.  Intern sponsors provide mentoring, hands-on experience and valuable high-tech public policy training.  Fellows have an opportunity to observe the development and advocacy of significant policy issues in Congress, the Administration and industry associations. They also have the opportunity to participate in projects of their own, focusing on current critical issues facing the tech sector.

While sponsoring companies will vary from year to year, the Fellowship makes every effort to retain high quality internship opportunities. Fellows have an opportunity to observe firsthand the development and advocacy of public policy issues in Congress, the Administration and industry associations and to participate in projects of their own, focusing on current critical issues.

“The Tisdale Fellowship provides a unique integrated perspective that incorporates aspects of the private sector, special interest coalitions, and the federal government, a perspective that is difficult to find in other internships. Through this internship I have been able to see how tech companies interact with each other one on one, in organized coalitions and with the government. My schedule was full of opportunities to meet representatives of industry leaders, members of various federal agencies, Representatives and Senators.”
Joshua Cregger ’07, University of Michigan
Monster Worldwide Intern

Tisdale Fellows attend the 2008 Lecture on diversity and ethics at Dell’s Washington, D.C. office.

Issues Seminar
The other main element of the fellowship is a weekly issues seminar organized with the assistance of the sponsoring companies, firms and associations. Expert speakers lead discussions of current public policy issues in Washington and the methods the high technology industry uses for effective advocacy.

Past topics include:

• Global electronic commerce
• Protection of privacy
• Digital intellectual property protection
• Biotechnology issues
• Educational technology policy
• Health Information Technology 
• Dell Thurmond Woodard lecture on diversity and ethics

The seminars give Fellows an opportunity to reflect on the appropriate role industry advocacy can have on public policy making at the Federal level. Conducted over lunch, the seminars also provide a weekly venue for fellows to meet and compare notes on their experiences. Fellows also are encouraged, through a variety of events and discussions, to reflect on how growing high technology affects society, culture and the global economy.The goal of the Fellowship is to create a supportive and collegial environment in which a new class of public policy professionals will be mentored to help ensure that the high-tech industry continues to have highly capable and well-trained individuals in both policy advocacy and senior management positions.

“The Tisdale lunches helped me dive deeper into issues I've only read about and exposure to former alumni and my mentor helped to see even more areas and careers in tech policy. I more comprehensively understand the climate of Washington because of this fellowship.”

Elaine Sedenberg '10, University of Texas at Austin
Technology CEO Council Intern

Additional Undergraduate Opportunity
If you are selected to be a 2013 Tisdale Fellow as an undergraduate student, you have the opportunity to enroll in the Institute on Business and Government Affairs (IBGA), sponsored by the Fund for American Studies and held at George Mason University. Over 80 top students attend this academic internship program each summer which offers unparalleled opportunities in Washington, DC in the business and government affairs sector.

The Institute on Business and Government Affairs offers hands-on internship experience, networking prospects, unique courses, and an instant, social network with numerous participants. Students attend site briefings at top government institutions, attend social events and participate in valuable career building activities. We offer outstanding guest lectures, provide alumni mentoring, career advising, host fun social events, and much more. You can learn more about the program at www.DCinternships.org/IBGA.       

In addition to your Tisdale internship placement, IBGA will allow you to earn 6 academic credits through courses at George Mason University and will provide housing in furnished apartments on George Washington University’s campus. Tisdale Fellows are provided with a special discounted fee of $2,800 (which can be deducted from your $5,000 stipend) to participate in IBGA, take classes and receive housing.  Students who are not Tisdale Fellows pay over $8,000 to attend IBGA.