San Diego State Graduates Working on Public Policy in Sacramento
Three alumnae are serving the state through the competitive Capital Fellows Program.
Three San Diego State University alumni are currently working alongside state legislators, senior-level executive staff, and court administrators in Sacramento as part of the Capital Fellows Program.
Administered by the Center for California Studies at California State University Sacramento, the program gives recent graduates opportunities to engage in policymaking and public service as preparation for their future careers. Selected fellows work as full-time staff members in the State Assembly, the State Senate, the Executive Branch or the Judiciary. These students get firsthand experience in the governance and leadership of the state of California.
SDSU’s 2018-2019 Capital Fellows are McKinley Thompson-Morley, Erin Huddleson and Nicole Cropper.
Thompson-Morely majored in political science at SDSU. She graduated with honors and was named the Outstanding Political Science Graduate of 2018. While at SDSU she was a resident advisor, a student in the Weber Honors College and an intern in Governor Jerry Brown’s Office of Legislative Affairs. She now works in Senator Steve Glazer’s office as a legislative staffer.
Huddleson, a political science major, is now an assembly fellow in Assembly member Phillip Chen’s office. She works on potential legislation and meets with constituents and interest groups. Her goal is to help make a difference in California by improving people’s lives through public policy. Cropper, an English major, created a successful nail salon in Bankers Hill and then decided it was time to pursue an education at SDSU. She is now an executive fellow in the Department of Health Care Services working with staff who oversee benefits and eligibility. This exposes her to state service and allows for professional development and networking with people from all walks of life. To be eligible for the Capital Fellows Program, students must have a bachelor’s degree by September 1 of the fellowship year, a GPA of 2.5 or higher and must be 20 or older by September 1 of the fellowship year.
2019-20 fellowship year applications are due Monday, Feb. 11.
