The U.S. Office of Personnel Management facilitates a valuable leadership development experience known as the Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF).
Through the prestigious and competitive PMF program, graduate students who aim to pursue careers in government participate in a two-year appointment with a government agency. During the appointment, participants receive leadership training, full salary and benefits, and active mentorship.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration (PSPA) has an impressive record with the PMF program. As of January 2022, eight of the department’s MPA alumni have served (or will serve) as PMFs:
- Mason Beale
- Rachel Hicks Shabani
- Tiffany Brown
- Misha Manzy
- Elizabeth Hendrix
- Amy O’Dell
- Kaia Greene
- Ollie Davison
In December 2021, Davison received a notification from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management letting him know that he was selected for the program. It proved to be a life-changing moment.
“As a boy from Prichard, Alabama, I never would have imagined my journey would include becoming a Presidential Management Fellow,” said Davison. “I am so grateful to represent UAB and the MPA program during this prestigious fellowship. I cannot wait to show Washington D.C. what a boy from Prichard, Alabama can do to make a tangible difference for all Americans."
According to Rob Blanton, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, the PMF program is a substantial achievement worthy of celebration.
“The Presidential Management Fellowship provides an invaluable experience to students in that it includes employment at a federal agency as well as multiple opportunities for future professional development and growth. It is a very prestigious and competitive program, the number of applicants is generally over 10,000 and only five percent are accepted,” said Blanton. “We are very proud to have such a high number of Presidential Management Fellows, as it attests to the ability of our students, as well as to the quality of the educational experience and mentoring that our students receive.”
You can learn more about the department’s MPA program by visiting the Master of Public Administration webpage.
