PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

The 9-month Fellowship year involves training and program sessions designed to meet the needs of the members of each cohort. This approach has made the program valuable to the Fellows.

The Cohort: The heart of the program is the Fellows cohort. Fellows develop lifelong partnerships within their cohort as well as with members of the broader Fellows Network.

Jackson Fellows Network
Jackson Fellows conducting a workshop for youth

Monthly Meetings: The program begins in October with an all-day orientation on Friday, October 2. The Fellows gain insight and perspective into their individual leadership skills, identify opportunities for improvement, and learn how to better leverage those skills for impact. 

Subsequent meetings are held in person on the first Thursday of each month, 2-5 pm.  Fellows participate in workshops on leadership, engage with community leaders, and connect with each other in closed-door discussions to explore learnings. All monthly meetings are followed by optional, informal time to help the Fellows build stronger connections.

Program Activities 8
Former Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson meets with Jackson Fellows

Fellows Project: The Fellows each complete a self-directed project while in the program, such as a community-based initiative to implement, research on one of Sen. Jackson’s legislative accomplishments, or a project that advances the Fellow’s leadership in their field. Fellows can team with other members in the cohort on a project if they prefer. Examples of past years’ projects are available here.

The Scoop Jackson Style of Politics: Lessons in relationship-building from one of the great U.S. Senators of the 20th century 
by Hans Andreas Zeiger,
Jackson Leadership Fellow, Class of 2017

Washington, D.C.: The program culminates with a trip to Washington, D.C., on June 6-9, 2027, to introduce the Fellows to Congressional and U.S. government policy-makers, nonprofit organizations, and other leaders in the area. This trip helps the Fellows to make connections for the future.

Program Activities 11
2018 Jackson Fellows in Washington, D.C., in front of the statue of Henry M. Jackson

As a participant, Fellows strengthen their leadership skills, gain access to mentors, explore disciplines and approaches to leadership, and build connections that will enable them to be more effective in their work and service.  As a result, they can make a more meaningful contribution to their communities and the nation.

Fellows from previous cohort have stated that the program has delivered many benefits including:

  • Strengthened desire to pursue public service;
  • A network of peers for collaborating;
  • A better sense of personal strengths and opportunities for growth;
  • Source of inspiration and motivation.