Harvard's Institute of Politics Announces Spring Resident and Visiting Fellows

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 29, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Harvard's Institute of Politics (IOP), at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, today announced two additions to its 2015 IOP Spring Fellows class. The IOP was established in 1966 as a memorial to President Kennedy and aims to inspire, motivate and encourage undergraduates to consider careers in politics and public service. 

Eric Cantor, former U.S. House of Representatives Member (2001-14; VA-7^th, R), Majority Leader (2011-14) and Majority Whip (2009-11) will join the Institute as a Visiting Fellow in early April.  Mr. Cantor is currently Vice Chairman and Managing Director at Moelis & Company, a global independent investment bank.  Visiting Fellows traditionally meet with student groups; lead discussion sessions on topical issues and their experiences in public and political service; and participate in public policy classes with students and Harvard University faculty. 

Bassem Youssef, political satirist, former host of the television program "Al-Bernameg" (The Program) in Egypt and one of TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world (2013) will join the Institute as a Resident Fellow. Over the course of an academic semester, Resident Fellows interact with students; develop and lead weekly study groups; and are afforded many opportunities to participate in the intellectual life of the Harvard community. More information is available at http://bit.ly/2015IOPFellows.

"Our Spring Fellows class reflects the powerful impact political engagement can have both inside and outside of government," said Harvard Institute of Politics Director Maggie Williams. 

Youssef joins five previously announced Resident Fellows for the spring semester, who include Martha Coakley, Massachusetts attorney general (2007-15) and Middlesex County district attorney (1999-2007); Kay Hagan, U.S. Senator (2009-14; D-NC) and North Carolina State Senator (1999-2008); Matt Lira, deputy executive director, National Republican Senatorial Committee (2013-14); senior advisor, Office of U.S. House majority leader Eric Cantor (VA-7^th, R; 2011–Aug. 2012 and Nov. 2012–Mar. 2013); digital director for Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan (R-WI), Romney for President (Aug. 2012–Nov. 2012); Jay Newton-Small, Washington correspondent, TIME (2007-present); government reporter, Bloomberg News (2003-07); and Christine Quinn, member (1999-2013) and speaker (2006-13), New York City Council.

The Fellows program is central to the Institute's dual commitment to encourage student interest in public life and to increase interaction between the academic and political communities. 

Harvard University's Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, was established in 1966 as a memorial to President Kennedy.  The IOP's mission is to inspire students, particularly undergraduates, to enter careers in politics and public service.  The Institute strives to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the academic world and the world of politics and public affairs.  More information is available online at www.iop.harvard.edu/.   

SOURCE Harvard's Institute of Politics

Related Links

http://www.iop.harvard.edu