The Fellows & Study Groups (FSG) program has been a cornerstone of the Institute of Politics (IOP) since 1966. In essence, fellows are professionals—public servants, activists, and more—who travel to Harvard to live on-campus and impart specialized knowledge to the community at large. Harvard’s Institute of Politics has unveiled the Spring 2023 cohort of six fellows that will join Harvard’s campus and lead weekly study groups. As leaders in their fields, these fellows provide students the opportunity to engage with contemporary issues from perspectives richer than what they might learn in a classroom setting because such lessons are drawn from the fellows’ lived experiences.
This year’s cohort is diverse in background, career, and political opinion, including a state representative, a journalist, a campaign strategist, political counsels, and political advisors. The cohort boasts members of both the Democrat and Republican parties, split evenly along gender lines, and even offers an international perspective with two Iranian fellows. The Spring fellows certainly bring an impressive array of experience at the highest levels of their fields.
The beauty of the Fellows & Study Groups Program is its mission of connecting students face-to-face with experts from every sector of public life. Out of all the IOP’s undergraduate programs, FSG allows all undergraduates unparalleled access to important figures, with no barrier to entry. FSG Co-Chair Liz Benecchi ’25 stated, “Fellows and Study Groups (FSG) is really about the community, so I’m looking forward to seeing this cohort build strong relationships and connections with their teams.” She added that the program has something for everybody and encouraged anyone and everyone to come and stop by Study Groups this semester.
On Wednesday, February 1st, IOP interim director Setti Warren introduced the new cohort, who each promoted their respective study group at the IOP’s JFK Jr. Forum. Keep reading to find out more about this year’s fellows and what they will bring to the Harvard community!
Kristin Amerling is Chief Counsel and Deputy Staff Director for the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol. Kristin Amerling’s study group will take advantage of her position as a congressional oversight expert to explore the powers of Congress at times when American democracy is under attack. She hopes to continue fostering dialogue about how Congress can more effectively use their powers and spur additional interest among Harvard students in congressional oversight and regulatory programs, critical components of a democratic society.
Negah Angha is Associate Vice President of The Cohen Group and former Director for Multilateral Initiatives at the National Security Council. Negah Angha plans to teach her students about the “topics that haven’t made it into the textbook.” She has designed her curriculum to complement any other course relating to international relations or national security already available at Harvard. Angha will challenge her students to think critically about contemporary issues and explore the future of international security in a geopolitical landscape shaped by conflict and rising authoritarianism.
Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler serves as the U.S. Representative for Washington’s 3rd Congressional District. Congresswoman Beutler’s group will probe into her view that an individual can “be a radical moderate.” She understands that students can be passionate about political beliefs, but moderate in interaction with others. Beutler hopes to help students cultivate the tools necessary to create effective change.
Quentin Fulks is a Political Strategist and Campaign Manager for Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock in Georgia. Quentin Fulks will use his longtime experience as a campaign manager to help students understand how to run a successful campaign and what it takes to win an election.
Matthew Raymer is Chief Counsel at the Republican National Committee. Matthew Raymer will consider the current state of American politics and the powerful role of debate and the law.
Jason Rezaian is an Opinion columnist for The Washington Post and former Tehran Bureau Chief, known for his 544-day imprisonment by the Iranian government. An exemplar of courage and principle, Jason Rezaian hopes to use his experiences as a journalist for The Washington Post to urge students to make a difference about the issues most pertinent for them. As a journalist, Rezaian explained that he was told not to cover topics to which he had personal affiliates. Defying this advice early in his career, Rezaian echoed the importance of following the causes most important to oneself and is eager to hear where the upcoming generation’s spirit for activism lies.
In true IOP-fashion, the evening at the JFK Jr. Forum emphasized the importance of voting and turning up for all elections—both national and local. The fellows all emphasized the pivotal moment in which international diplomacy and domestic politics are currently unfolding, under a globalized society facing the challenge of pandemics, climate change, economic instability, and authoritarian regimes that degrade democratic norms. Negah Angha emphasized the particular importance of American students and universities, which carry a portion of the United States’ responsibility in the global political realm. “You can sit anywhere in the world, and you will see what is playing out in U.S. politics. You can be sitting in a taxi in Cairo or in a village in the middle of Morocco, and you will see images or conversations about the U.S.,” she said.
As the U.S. continues to wield a large degree of global influence, it is clear the IOP hopes to provide students with the tools necessary to engage and act in the international community. The Study Groups will hopefully be an entrypoint for students at the College to engage in political life, starting in the classroom and ultimately into sustaining careers. Conversely, for the fellows, it was clear that they also share a continued desire to learn. While they are keen to share their stories and opinions, they are just as eager to learn from Harvard’s students and relive some of their own college experiences. As Quentin Fulks added, “We are all here because we believe in what you are going to do.” We therefore encourage you to check out the IOP fellows and challenge yourself to take part in some of the most influential discussions of our time.
Alice Khayami ’25 (alicekhayami@college.harvard.edu) cannot wait to attend a Study Group this semester. Maddie Proctor ’25 (maddieproctor@college.harvard.edu) is nerding out at the bios of this semester’s fellows!