Explore public service in the executive branch.
A cornerstone of the Fielding Center, the Fielding Fellows program provides a select group of Gettysburg College students with an immersive experience centered on the executive branch of the United States. The year-long fellowship focuses on separation of powers dynamics, constitutional law, and diplomacy. Each year, Fielding Fellows travel to a presidential library to conduct archival research, facilitate on-campus panels and debates, and work on an in-depth public policy project.
Opportunities experienced by past Fielding Fellows have included:
- Attending a dinner with the White House Fellows
- Visiting the White House
- Conducting research at Presidential Libraries
- Presenting a Diplomacy Lab Project at the U.S. State Department
The Diplomacy Lab Project is a highlight of the Fielding Fellows experience. Students conduct foreign policy research on topics provided by the U.S. State Department, then present their findings to diplomats in Washington. Gettysburg College is one of a select number of educational institutions involved in this public-private partnership. The theme for 2024-25 will be shared with the selected Fellows during the summer.
Previous projects include:
- 2023-24: Reviewing the Relevance of UN Human Rights Council Special Procedures and Investigative Mechanisms (with Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor)
- 2022-23: Political Drivers of Unlawful Detentions (with Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs)
- 2021-22: Public Opinion of Inward Foreign Direct Investment (with U.S. Embassy in Finland)
- 2020-21: Space Debris Mitigation Technology (with National Science and Technology Council)
- 2019-20: Transportation Infrastructure Policy (with U.S. Embassy in Montenegro)
- 2018-19: Data Protection Laws and International Trade (U.S. Embassy in Munich)
- 2017-18: Policies Against Government Corruption (with U.S. Embassy in Budapest)
Schedule
Fielding Fellows will meet weekly. Mutually convenient dates and times will be determined with the program leader after Fellows are accepted. Domestic and international travel are likely, on weekends during the semester and over Spring Break. Fellows may also engage in periodic trips to Washington, D.C. This fellowship is a significant commitment during your senior year. Aside from classes, Fellows are expected to make this program a high priority.
Prospective Applicants
The Fielding Fellowship is open to rising seniors only. In addition to responding to short-answer essay questions, competitive candidates will be asked to list out all relevant coursework. In the past, the average GPA has been a 3.5 or higher. Selected candidates will need to be on-campus for the academic year in order to participate in Fellowship activities.