Trainings & Fellowships

Policy Advisor Fellowship

Dates: October 6 - December 19, 2025

Time Requirement: Part time, 10 hrs per week, Flexible (morning, afternoon or evenings), Monday-Friday, and may be weekends per you and your hosts arrangement together

Application Deadline: September 11, 2025

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The Policy Advisor Fellowship (PAF) is an accelerated, transformative 10 week program designed for early-career LEE members eager to make a significant impact in the policy and advocacy space. This fellowship offers a unique opportunity to serve as a part-time policy advisor to a senior LEE leader holding a high-impact role. With a flexible commitment of 10 hours per week, fellows can engage in their responsibilities at their convenience—whether before work, after school, or late at night.

  • Part-time, 10 hrs per week 
  • $1,000 stipend 
  • Focused on supporting LEE members in high impact roles in Elected Leaders, Moms Demand Action and School Board Member and other Policy Advocacy Spaces 
  • Fully virtual experience  
  • No traditional education/degrees required 

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  • Develop Practical Policy and Advocacy Skills: Equip fellows with essential skills in policy analysis, advocacy, and equity-centered leadership, ensuring they are prepared for impactful roles in the field.
  • Gain Real-Time Experience: Provide fellows with hands-on experience by pairing them with school board members or senior leaders, allowing them to apply their learning in real-world policy and advocacy challenges.
  • Foster Professional Growth: Support fellows in identifying and understanding their personal values, strengths, and career aspirations, helping them see how this experience is a stepping stone in their leadership journey.
  • Build a Strong Network: Facilitate connections with peers, mentors, and leaders in the policy and advocacy space, enabling fellows to build lasting professional relationships and a supportive network.
  • Complete a Capstone Project: Guide fellows in developing and presenting a capstone project that addresses a specific policy/advocacy issue, using an equity-centered approach to design and implement.

 

Goals & Intended Outcomes 

  • Members becoming active/involved in policy or advocacy roles within the next year or two.
  • Members develop strong skills in policy analysis and feel confident in applying them post-program.
  • Members can connect their careers in policy or advocacy to tangible impacts on youth and schools.
  • Members leave with a clear understanding of their personal values, strengths, and how this experience contributes to their leadership journey.

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Fellowship Details

 

Dates: October 6 - December 19, 2025

Time Requirement: Part time, 10 hrs per week, Flexible (morning, afternoon or evenings), Monday-Friday, and may be weekends per you and your hosts arrangement together

Application Deadline: September 11, 2025

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Hear from Past Fellows

 

This experience has strengthened my ability to analyze systemic issues, collaborate with stakeholders, and advocate for policy-driven solutions—skills that are essential for a career in civil rights law. Professionally, I’ve deepened my understanding of how policy shapes educational equity and refined my ability to translate real-world challenges into actionable reforms. Personally, it has reinforced my commitment to using the law as a tool for justice, preparing me to enter law school with a sharper perspective on the intersection of policy and advocacy.

This fellowship has solidified my commitment to pursuing civil rights law by deepening my understanding of how policy shapes systemic inequities. It has reinforced my desire to use legal advocacy to drive meaningful change, particularly in education. The experience has also equipped me with the skills to analyze policy, engage with stakeholders, and craft solutions—preparing me to enter law school with a stronger foundation in the intersection of law and public policy.

My host facilitated meaningful engagement with the school district, allowing me to see firsthand how policy decisions impact students and educators. I worked on initiatives addressing educational equity, collaborating with district officials to analyze policies affecting underserved communities. This experience deepened my understanding of the challenges in implementing systemic change and reinforced my commitment to using law and policy as tools for educational justice. It also strengthened my ability to navigate complex bureaucratic systems—an essential skill for my future legal career.

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The core audience for the Policy Advisor Fellowship (PAF) includes early-mid career professionals who are current LEE members, interested in transitioning into policy or advocacy roles. These individuals are typically employed full-time, but seek to build their resumes, develop practical skills, and gain hands-on experience in the policy and advocacy space.

  • Must be a LEE Member 
  • Demonstrated PA interest/PA commitment in serving in a Policy, Advocacy role within the next 1- 5 years 
  • Early-Mid Career (Early Pipeline within PA) 
  • Must be able to commit to 10 hrs per week part time Monday – Sunday 
  • Strong project management, analytical, communication, interpersonal skills 
  • Self-motivated 
  • Committed to ending inequity 

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Application Opens: August 4, 2025

Application Deadline: September 11, 2025

Our 2025 Application Requires: 

  • Background contact information 
  • Resume 
  • Short answer questions 
  • References 

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the Policy Advisor Fellowship (PAF)?

The PAF is an accelerated, three-month program for LEE members interested in gaining hands-on experience in policy and advocacy. Fellows serve as part-time policy advisors to senior LEE leaders in high-impact roles, committing around 10 hours per week to projects and engagements.

Who is eligible to apply for the fellowship?

The fellowship is open to a select few, LEE members, specifically those interested in transitioning to policy or advocacy roles within the next 1-5 years. Applicants should be able to commit to the part-time requirements (10 hours per week) and must be LEE members at the A-C1 level. LEE has personally selected these applicants to apply for this fellowship. This is an exciting opportunity. You were identified to participate because a LEE Staff or Coach nominated you for this experience based on your career aspirations and engagement with LEE. 

What is the time commitment for the fellowship?

The fellowship runs from March 10, 2025, to May 23, 2025. Fellows are expected to dedicate around 10 hours per week to the program, including time spent on projects, at least 1 coaching session, and virtual engagements (Orientation/Kickoff of Fellowship & a Capstone Presentation). Anything identified as mandatory in this program will be shared with the fellows.

Is the fellowship paid?

Yes, fellows receive a $1,000 stipend paid by LEE for their participation in the program.

What kind of projects will I work on as a fellow?

Fellows will be matched with a school board member or senior leader and work on real-world policy and advocacy projects. The projects are designed to address equity-centered challenges and will culminate in a capstone presentation at the end of the fellowship.

Will I have a mentor during the fellowship?

Yes, fellows receive personalized mentorship through 1:1 coaching sessions and small group coaching opportunities at the end of the program.

What are the key benefits of participating in the PAF?

Some of the benefits include:

  • Access to personalized mentorship and coaching
  • Hands-on experience with real-world projects
  • Opportunities for public speaking and presentations
  • Networking with peers, LEE staff, and industry experts
  • Letters of recommendation and references
  • Career guidance and job search support
  • A $1,000 stipend
  • A certificate of completion

How will fellows be selected?

Fellows will be selected based on their application, which includes four short-answer questions and a 5-minute video response. LEE will review applications using a rubric and match fellows with hosts based on feedback and project fit.

Is the program virtual or in-person?

The entire program is 100% virtual. Fellows can complete their projects and participate in coaching sessions and networking events from anywhere.

How does the application process work?

Applications open on Feb 3-18, 2025. You will need to submit your resume, answer four short questions, and provide a 5-minute video response. Applicants will be notified of their status by the week of March 3, 2025.

Will I be expected to present my work?

Yes, fellows will present their capstone project at the end of the fellowship during a virtual presentation to peers and hosts.

How is the fellowship structured?

The fellowship includes coaching sessions, asynchronous learning opportunities, and project work time with your Host. The program is flexible, allowing fellows to manage their time while completing the required hours.

What kind of support will I receive as a fellow?

Fellows will have access to LEE staff, hosts, industry experts, and a network of peers for support. Coaching and mentorship sessions are also available to help fellows with personal branding, goal setting, and professional development.

Can I work on weekends?

Yes, fellows may work on weekends if it is agreed upon with their host. The program is designed to be flexible to accommodate full-time employment or other obligations.

What is the capstone project?

The capstone project is a final assignment where fellows will share what they worked on while with their host. Fellows will present their projects to their hosts and the LEE community at the end of the fellowship.

How will I know if I’ve been selected for the fellowship?

You will receive an email notification by the week of March 3,  2025, regarding your application status.

What happens after the fellowship ends?

After the fellowship, fellows will remain connected through ongoing alumni engagement opportunities, career support, and access to LEE’s resources.

What is considered mandatory vs. optional in this Fellowship?

Mandatory activities include:

  • Project work with your host
  • Attending orientation
  • Attending the capstone presentation

Optional (but, highly recommended) activities include:

  • Completing all asynchronous work
  • Attending additional coaching sessions post-fellowship

What happens if I can’t attend all of the mandatory experiences?

Fellows are allowed to miss one mandatory experience without needing to provide an excuse. If you must miss two mandatory experiences, you’ll need to give a valid reason. Missing more than this may result in removal from the program due to lack of commitment. Since this is a short-term fellowship, we want to ensure that spots are available to those who can fully participate.

If you know ahead of time that you’ll miss certain mandatory events, please inform your host and Maya Williams (Maya.Williams@educationalequity.org ) as soon as possible.

What happens if I need to leave the fellowship? Will I be asked to return the $1,000 stipend?

Things always come up and we work with members on a case by case basis on issues that impact their ability to continue the fellowship. Please reach out to Maya Williams (Maya.Williams@educationalequity.org ) if you need to leave the fellowship. Depending on the timing and circumstances, LEE may request the return of part or all of the stipend.

What should I do if I have an issue with my host?

It is important to give clear feedback to your host. If you need support in doing so, you can work with your coach and/or reach out to LEE staff to coach you on how to handle the situation. We want to ensure that fellows understand they are not employees of LEE or their host; they are independent contractors. It’s also crucial for them to know that they are responsible for managing their experience. If they encounter any challenges, their first step should be to communicate directly with their host. LEE is available to provide additional support through coaching if needed.If you encounter any issues with your host, please contact your LEE Coach immediately for support. If you can’t get a hold of your coach, you can reach out directly to Maya Williams ( Maya.Williams@educationalequity.org ).

How can I communicate with my host, other fellows, or LEE staff?

We will set up a LinkedIn group for fellows to connect with each other and LEE staff. Everyone will be invited to join, it is not required that you engage on LinkedIn. You are also welcome to email LEE staff directly for assistance.

What does it mean to be a “completer” of the fellowship?

To be considered a completer, you must:

  • Dedicate 10 hours per week to the fellowship
  • Watch orientation
  • Complete the capstone project and presentation (including slides)

What if I can’t attend the orientation?

Orientation is crucial to your success in the fellowship, but if you’re unable to attend, we will record the session. However, you must notify us in advance via email. Missing orientation counts toward your total allowed missed mandatory engagements.

What if I can’t attend the capstone presentations?

If you are unable to attend the capstone presentations, you will need to complete your slides in advance and record a video of yourself presenting your project. These materials must be submitted via email to Maya Williams ( Maya.Williams@educationalequity.org ) before the capstone date. Missing the capstone presentation counts toward your total allowed missed mandatory engagements.