In a February 13, 2023, press release, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced the finalists in its Class of 2023 Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program. Aric Fulton, a 2022 graduate of Brown's Master of Arts in Urban Education Policy program was among those selected as finalists for the prestigious award.
The PMF Program was established by Executive Order in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter, to attract outstanding citizen-scholars from a variety of academic disciplines and career paths who have an interest in, and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs. It is the federal government’s premiere pipeline for moving advanced degree graduates into government leadership positions.
The program is highly selective, and according to the OPM, it was especially competitive this year, "Of the more than 10,000 individuals from around the world who applied for the program, 850 finalists were chosen,” which represents the largest group of applicants in the past 10 years.
Throughout the next year, Finalists will have the opportunity to interview with Federal agencies across the government to find placements as Presidential Management Fellows. Fulton, who works for KIPP DC on the KIPP Forward team is particularly interested in roles at the U.S. Department of Education, "but would be happy to be appointed at any federal agency that would allow me to focus on the intersections of education policy, civil rights, and community relations," he says.
As a UEP master's student, Fulton was a Strategic Planning & Policy Intern with the Central Falls School District and worked closely with the superintendent on developing a five-year strategic plan to ensure all CFSD students access 3-, 4-, or 5-star schools, according to the Rhode Island Department of Education report card.
Reflecting on his experience in UEP, he says, "the many critical and fruitful discussions about the intersections of race and democracy and forces of urban reform from local, state, and federal policy lenses while also thinking about how to (radically) change the status quo, as Dr. Wong says, allowed me to recognize the opportunities we have to shape progress through advocacy, policy, and practice."
As a PMF, he is looking forward to further understanding how government operates and policy changes are made at the federal level. "I see this opportunity as one that will allow me to develop and strengthen my skill set in many aspects -- the access we have to the robust network of fellows, PMF alumni, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities. I'm thankful for the chance to pursue a career in public service as part of such a prestigious program and am looking forward to the opportunities that come next!"