St. Paul, Minn.Leila Malow ’14, of Laveen, Ariz., has been selected as a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow. Malow is part of the 21st class of the Emerson National Hunger Fellows.

The Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellows Program is a leadership development opportunity for young professionals eager to gain skills and experience in social justice, anti-hunger, anti-poverty, and anti-racism work.  Throughout the course of the Fellowship experience, Emerson Fellows learn from field and policy experts during 30+ days of training, receive mentoring from leaders in the field, become part of a close knit community of Fellows, gain access to an extended community network of Hunger Fellow alumni, and make tangible contributions to the fight against hunger and poverty in the U.S.  Fellows support partner organizations with program development, research, evaluation, outreach, organizing, and advocacy projects.

Malow looks forward to spending time in the nation’s capital.  “For the next year, I will be involved in and learn more about national anti-poverty efforts, work that I am very passionate about,” said Malow.  “I’m deeply concerned about the persistence of poverty and social inequality in the United States. My experiences have compelled me to want to join those who have dedicated their professional lives to addressing these issues. I am looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of the different community and government approaches to combating hunger and poverty.”

The Emerson Fellowship develops effective leaders with a deep understanding of hunger and poverty at both the local and national level that enables them to find innovative solutions and create the political will to end hunger.

Each year, 20 participants are selected from around the country for this yearlong program. They gather in Washington, D.C. in August for a comprehensive orientation and field training, where they learn about hunger, poverty and social inequality in the United States, the local and national programs designed to address the issues, and the various approaches to social change.

After her Fellowship ends, Malow would like to continue her education.  “I am interested in pursuing a master’s degree in public policy in the next several years,” said Malow. “I am open to, and in fact, hoping, that my experiences in the coming year will inform my next step.”

The Emerson Fellowship provides the following benefits:  $16,000 annual living allowance, comprehensive health insurance, travel expenses, housing during field placement, $4,000 housing subsidy in D.C. during policy placement, $3,500 end of service award, and relocation subsidies.

The Fellowship begins on August 18, 2014 and concludes in early August 2015. 

Macalester College, founded in 1874, is a national liberal arts college with a full-time enrollment of 2,011 students. Macalester is nationally recognized for its long-standing commitment to academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement. Learn more at macalester.edu

April 15 2014

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