Former Campaign Advisors, Congressman and MSNBC Host: Meet This Year’s GU Politics Fellows

Ahead of a new school year, we are excited to announce the Georgetown Institute of Politics and Public Service (GU Politics) Fall 2024 Fellows Class. This semester's class will bring decades of experience in politics, government and public service to the Hilltop and Capitol Campus, and come from across the political spectrum.

While the individual Fellows will have their own area of focus and expertise, they share the common goal of working directly with Georgetown students to advance the common good, bolster our democratic institutions and lead with a service-oriented passion for a purpose larger than oneself.

Throughout the semester, members of the Georgetown community will have the opportunity to engage with the Fellows in discussion groups, case studies, one-on-one conversations, and even site visits across town - providing a unique behind the scenes look at how D.C. really operates. We can't wait for all the exciting things to unfold this semester and invite you to join us here at GU Politics - we promise there is never a dull moment.

Please join us in welcoming our Fall 2024 Fellows!

Rodney Davis

Former Congressman (R-IL); Head of Government Affairs, US Chamber of Commerce

Discussion Group Topic: Do Americans Have Faith in Our Own Elections?

As a five-term Congressman turned leader with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Rodney Davis is a nationally recognized bipartisan problem solver. Davis worked across the aisle on several key issues, including promoting America's infrastructure and agriculture, and addressing faith in U.S. elections. His wife Shannon - a 24-year cancer survivor - was diagnosed with a genetic form of colon cancer. Drawing inspiration from her battle, he worked with lawmakers from both parties to advance policies aimed at preventing cancer. On June 14, 2017, Congressman Davis was one of several who were practicing for the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity when a gunman opened fire, attempting to assassinate Republican members of Congress. Following the shooting, Rodney made it his mission to address dangerous rhetoric from political conversations.

Ashley Gunn

Former Special Assistant to the President, Senior Director of Cabinet Affairs, Trump Administration

Discussion Group Topic: The People Behind Our Politics

Ashley Gunn most recently served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Cabinet Affairs in the Donald J. Trump administration. Gunn has over 25 years experience in state and federal government working on two Presidential campaigns, two Presidential administrations, on Capitol Hill, at the RNC and two Governor's offices including Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's administration. Her political career includes developing and implementing national, state and local grassroots strategies and building coalitions to support Presidents, Cabinet Members, organizations, candidates and issue campaigns.

Alencia Johnson

Former Senior Advisor, Biden-Harris 2020

Discussion Group Topic: From the Grammys to the White House: Finding Political Power Through Culture

Alencia Johnson leads at the intersection of social impact & culture change, building a career marrying cultural cornerstones - advocacy, politics, corporate & entertainment - to disrupt for good. As Founder of 1063 West Broad, she connects brands, organizations & people to impact solutions. She has held national roles for the presidential campaigns of President Obama, Senator Elizabeth Warren and President Biden as well as Planned Parenthood's national office. Alencia has been recognized by EBONY's "Power 100" list, PRWeek's "40 Under 40" & more. Her board service includes the Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Social Justice Fund & Human Rights First, and she was appointed to the Virginia Council on Women by Governor Ralph Northam. Alencia is an author and sought after commentator frequenting MSNBC, CNN, ABC, BET, Washington Post, ESSENCE, Glamour and more.

Symone Sanders Townsend

Host of MSNBC's "The Weekend"; Former Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson, Office of Vice President Kamala Harris

Discussion Group Topic: The Road to 2025: Unpacking the Democratic Party Apparatus

Symone Sanders Townsend is an author, seasoned democratic strategist and co-host of MSNBC's The Weekend. Symone rose to prominence in 2016 as the national press secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders's then-presidential campaign. She later served as a senior advisor for President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign and was appointed as a senior member of the Biden-Harris administration serving as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris. With her White House appointment, Symone became the first Black woman to serve as a spokesperson to a Vice President. In 2022, she joined MSNBC to host "SYMONE" providing essential context on the most pressing issues facing Americans today. Now, Symone brings the depth of her experience to The Weekend where she and her co-hosts serve as the go-to source for viewers on headlines of the day.

Waleed Shahid

Democratic Strategist; Former Spokesperson, Justice Democrats

Discussion Group Topic: Protest to Politics, Grassroots to Governance

Waleed Shahid is a Democratic strategist and movement organizer known for his impactful work with Justice Democrats. As spokesperson and communications director, he drove a strategy that led to the election of The Squad-Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush, and Summer Lee-and championed progressive causes like the Green New Deal, racial justice, student debt cancellation, and ending unrestricted U.S. weapons funding for Israel and Saudi Arabia. Shahid has also served as a senior advisor to Ocasio-Cortez's campaign, a staffer for Bernie Sanders in 2016, and Policy Director for Cynthia Nixon's campaign against Andrew Cuomo. His commentary has been featured in The Nation, the New York Times, and The New Yorker, which called him part of "the next generation of the progressive elite."

Rick Wiley

Republican Strategist, Former Senior Advisor, Nikki Haley for President

Discussion Group Topic: For All the Glory: Battle for the White House 2024

Rick Wiley is a national political consultant who has played a central role in Republican presidential campaigns for the last 25 years, and most recently served as the National Political Director for Ambassador Nikki Haley's campaign. During the 2016 cycle Wiley served as campaign manager for Governor Scott Walker's Presidential campaign and finished the cycle working as a senior consultant to the Republican National Committee. In 2012, Wiley served as the National Political Director at the Republican National Committee during the Romey/Ryan Presidential cycle. Wiley has also served as a senior consultant for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and Republican Governors Association, where he helped candidates from Joni Ernst to Scott Walker and Bruce Rauner forge a path to victory.

The GU Politics Fellows offer students a rare peek behind the curtain into the way politics and public service actuallywork. Students will be challenged, informed and inspired through weekly discussion groups, office hours and small group conversations. Opportunities to engage are open to all Georgetown students.

Want to get involved with our Fellows?

• Attend their discussion groups | For eight weeks, our Fellows host weekly 90-minute, off-the-record discussions with members of the Georgetown community. You'll talk about big ideas and the specific details needed to put them into practice… and be shocked by the special guests and experts they'll bring. Discussion groups begin the week of September 23. Read their discussion group topics.
• Visit them in office hours | Imagine being mentored by politicos at the top of their field. Hang out with our Fellows one-on-one to chat about news of the day and how to get your start in public service or answers to your burning questions about behind-the-scenes moments in politics you can't hear anywhere else. This opportunity is open to all Georgetown students and faculty. Office hours begin the week of September 9.
• Join their Student Strategy Teams | Collaborate closely with one of the Fellows by joining their team of five students who craft discussion group topics, help with research and campus outreach, and partner with the Fellow to brainstorm fresh ideas to make politics work better. Learn more and apply.

Mark your calendar for our Meet the Fellows Open House - the first chance to meet these leaders in person, learn more about their backgrounds and hear what they have planned for the semester. The Fellows open house will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 4:00 - 5:30 pm in Healey Family Student Center Social Room.

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