Emerging Congressional Staff Leaders Program

Founded in 2000, the Stennis Center for Public Service’s Emerging Congressional Staff Leaders Program pairs Senior Stennis Fellows with young Capitol Hill staffers who have demonstrated leadership potential. This bipartisan, bicameral initiative combines individual and group activities in a year-long effort to help participants learn about career advancement, legislative procedures, and leadership skills, and to foster a deeper commitment to public service. The centerpiece of the program is one-on-one mentoring with senior staff.

Each Emerging Leader is paired with a Senior Stennis Fellow as a mentor, generally based on party and chamber, for regular meetings. There are also periodic group discussions on career and leadership issues of interest to the Emerging Leaders.

Collectively, the program provides a unique opportunity to enhance the knowledge and skills young staff need to succeed in the congressional environment and to expand their network of relationships. More than 200 staffers have participated to date, and many continue to serve on congressional staff or have gone on to become Senior Stennis Fellows.