One of the three inaugural Tallahassee Mayoral Fellowship recipients in 2015, Mike worked on a wide array of programs. He helped coordinate the efforts of Mayor Andrew Gillum’s office bring TEDx back to Tallahassee in April; he coordinated efforts over the summer to carry out the Neighbors on the Block Program, a part of Operation Safe Neighborhoods; and he helped lead efforts in the formation of Tallahassee’s first Google Business Town Hall, which educated small business owners on the power the internet holds in growing their business.

In addition to taking a leadership role on these programs, Mike conducted extensive research into a number of local issues, including the state of early learning conditions and juvenile characteristics. He had an active hand in helping write opinion-editorials and speeches, creating infographics, and helping citizens with issues they raised with Mayor Gillum’s office; he also assisted extensively in the city’s legislative efforts.

The Mayoral Fellowship offers graduate students at Florida State and Florida A&M Universities an hourly wage, the potential to receive a nine-credit tuition waiver per semester, and the invaluable experience working on the front lines of an ambitious and progressive mayor’s office.

A Tallahassee Mayoral Fellowship position is ideal for any individual looking to gain substantive policy and program experience in a local government setting. Those who apply should be prepared to be flexible and nimble in their work, be willing to take on an ambitious and heavy workload, and to feel rewarded in helping make the city of Tallahassee a better place to live, work, and play!