Four master’s students selected for Presidential Management Fellowship

 

The fellowship application process is long and competitive, beginning with a September application, followed by an online assessment of situational judgment, leadership and writing skills for the first round candidates and a panel interview in Washington, D.C. with federal agency representatives for the finalists. In 2011, more than 9,100 graduate students applied to the PMF Program, and only 628 achieved ‘finalist’ status.”I am really excited about all the learning opportunities the PMF offers,” Turner said. “The fellowship is centered on leadership development. There are built-in opportunities to attend trainings on congressional operations, complete rotations within other federal agencies and take additional coursework on topics of my choosing.”

Jo Anne Earp, ScD, professor and chair of health behavior and health education at the UNC public health school, is Turner’s academic adviser and nominator for the award.

“Our school of public health attracts exceptional students year after year – students with leadership ability, strong analytical skills, the capacity to set high goals and the passion to meet them, all undergirded by the drive to make a difference in the health of the public,” Earp said.

 

“To be selected as a Presidential Management Fellow, however, goes above and beyond even these ‘usual’ qualities of a UNC public health student; it is a very special mark of distinction. PM fellows are absolutely the next generation of leaders in the field. The Gillings School of Global Public Health is therefore exceedingly proud to claim not one or two, but four, PMFs this year!”Turner said she is grateful for the opportunity and confident the experience will change her life for the better. “Throughout the application process, I was privileged to meet an amazing group of student leaders,” she said. “I look forward to working with and learning from the other fellows and being part of the movement to expand health care access.”

Tison believes the fellowship will provide her with opportunity to have structured exposure to a number of areas of public health within the sphere of government.

 

“Mentoring and continuing education provided through the fellowship will prove invaluable in helping me to set and meet personal and professional goals while continuing to build valuable leadership skills,” she said.

 

Tison, whose academic adviser is Cheryll Lesneski, DrPH, clinical assistant professor in the Public Health Leadership Program (PHLP), was nominated by Anna Schenck, PhD, associate dean for public health practice and PHLP director.

UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health contact: Ramona DuBose, director of communications, (919) 966-7467 or ramona_dubose@unc.edu.