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Wilder Fellows stand out as students, researchers, and policy experts
A longstanding program pairs students with employers around the Richmond region each year including nonprofits, government agencies and businesses.
On any given day, Wilder School graduate students Destiny Brown and Adelaide “Addie” Alexander can be found conducting interviews or focus groups, analyzing survey data, facilitating workshops for government employees or presenting reports to clients at state agencies. While these tasks may seem more aligned with the work of faculty members, both Brown and Alexander have gained these experiences and more within the Wilder School Center for Public Policy.
The Wilder Graduate Scholar Fellows provides selected full-time students across Wilder School master’s programs with professional work experience, in-state tuition, and a stipend through a host employer for one academic year. In addition to the Center for Public Policy, other host employers have included local government agencies, state government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.
"I initially struggled with not knowing if I had enough skills to be successful in the position, but over time, I was able to see my skill set grow. I was able not only to impact and assist my team, but also establish and meet my own professional and academic goals." – Destiny Brown
“When some questions popped up about the historic tax credit program during the General Assembly session, our research team was able to draw on what we learned to help legislators understand why it needs to continue, so our work was actually used which always feels really good.” – Addie Alexander
Brown, a second-year graduate student studying urban and regional planning, applied to the Wilder Fellows program seeking hands-on experience and a supportive environment that went beyond traditional academic settings. "I wanted to get more comfortable with research skills in a practical setting," Brown explained, "Being part of a team like the Center for Public Policy’s SERL (Survey and Evaluation Research Lab) opened my eyes to the collaborative nature of impactful research."
During her time as a fellow, Brown was involved in a wide variety of tasks, from conducting literature reviews and leading focus groups to data coding and analysis. Reflecting on her journey, she notes overcoming initial challenges as some of her greatest successes.
"I initially struggled with not knowing if I had enough skills to be successful in the position, but over time, I was able to see my skill set grow,” she shared. “I was able not only to impact and assist my team, but also establish and meet my own professional and academic goals.”
Alexander, who transitioned into the Wilder Fellows program from her role as a graduate teaching assistant, was drawn by the opportunity to deepen her understanding of state agencies and governmental systems. A public administration student, she shared that "I wanted to understand how power dynamics influence policy within state government." Her placement with the Center for Public Policy engaged her in multiple projects, including economic impact assessments, strategic planning and GIS work.
Despite the challenges of balancing a demanding workload with personal responsibilities, — including caring for a newborn — Alexander thrived in the real-world working environment the program provided. Alexander’s success in providing actionable insights through her research, such as the evaluation of historic tax credit programs and her work with the Department of Veterans Services, underscores the ability of Wilder Fellows to provide solutions and recommendations to policymakers and public administrators. “When some questions popped up about the historic tax credit program during the General Assembly session, our research team was able to draw on what we learned to help legislators understand why it needs to continue, so our work was actually used which always feels really good.,” Alexander said.
Now a Class of 2024 graduate, Alexander recently accepted a consultant position at the Center for Public Policy.
Brown, who will continue in her role at SERL and the Center for Public Policy in her final year as a student, advises future Wilder Fellows to keep an open mind and actively seek mentorship within their agencies. "The program is more than just funding or work experience," she said, "it's about growing professionally and making meaningful contributions."
As Brown and Alexander continue to carve their respective paths in urban planning, public policy, and public administration, their stories stand as testaments to the Wilder Fellows program and as inspiration to future Wilder School students seeking to impact public policy across the commonwealth and beyond.