The Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program is a non-partisan program that immerses both undergraduate and graduate students from public and private universities in key areas of state government. During their nine-month tenure in Tallahassee, Fellows receive advanced on-the-job training as well as an invaluable front-line view of the inner workings of government. As Fellows, participants fulfill roles of critical responsibility, interact closely with the state’s top leaders and employ their skills and abilities in a highly rewarding environment.
USF Florida Gubernatorial Alumni
²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ (USF) has been well represented in the program since its
inception in 2004:
2006 – Lauren Keenan
2011 – Chantelle Carter-Jones and Andrew Ketchel
2012 – Samantha Stratton
2013 – Emily Colon
2015 - Molly Murphy
2016 – Ryan Salazar
2018 – Ella Biggins
2021 – Andrew Paul (AP) Griffis
2022 – Keerthana Kallarackal
2024 – Iryna Vasko
Tallahassee and Beyond
These recipients have gone on to have successful careers in state and local government, as well as in public and private organizations, in and outside the state of Florida. The impact the program made on them can be felt well beyond Tallahassee.
Keerthana Kallarackal during Florida Gubernatorial Fellowship
USF’s most recent Florida Gubernatorial alumna, Keerthana Kallarackal, was placed
in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for her fellowship. In 2023, she received
the Governor's Washington, D.C. Fellowship Award for Outstanding Leadership. After
moving to Washington, D.C., Kallarackal served in the Executive Office of Governor
Ron DeSantis, Office of Federal Relations. She also served as a legislative correspondent
in the United States Senate for Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and now works as a legislative
assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives for Representative Mike Haridopolos
(R-FL) in Washington DC.
Emily Colon took her experience full circle, now teaching as an adjunct professor
in USF’s School of Public Affairs while serving in her primary role as deputy city
manager of Lakeland.
Several of the USF Florida Gubernatorial alumni have taken their skills to the non-profit
world. Molly Murphy worked in the Florida Department of Financial Services during
her fellowship and met with legislators and state agencies to create "My Money," Florida's
financial literacy program for individuals with developmental disabilities. That experience
informs her current role as the executive director of Equine-Assisted Therapies of
South Florida in Miami, Florida, a nonprofit organization that provides premier equine-assisted
activities and therapies to children and adults with special needs.
Ryan Salazar is currently the regional director for iKids U in Austin, Texas, which
partners with schools, parents, and other organizations to provide exceptional, safe,
and convenient after-school care, camp, learning pod, and enrichment programs, that
fulfill the educational, creative, and recreational interests of any child. Salazar’s
placement was in the Florida Department of Children and Families. During the fellowship,
he analyzed public policy related to the child welfare system and created a policy
proposal that earned him the Jeb Bush Award for Outstanding Achievement from the Gubernatorial
Fellows Board of Directors. While at USF, he applied for and received a Fulbright
U.S. Student Program graduate study grant at the Institute of Education, London.
Other alumni transitioned their public roles into careers in private industry. Andrew
Ketchel is a partner with Capital City Consulting in Tallahassee, Florida, one of
the largest lobbying firms in the state of Florida. Ketchel joined Capital City Consulting
after serving both as a policy advisor to Governor Scott and as the legislative affairs
director for the Department of Environment Protection. Chantelle Carter-Jones, who
worked in Tallahassee for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA)
as an AHC Administrator after her fellowship, is currently the director of government
contracts for Molina Healthcare in Doral, Florida. Ella Biggins and AP Griffis are
both in the law field.
What Comes Next
The Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program is an excellent opportunity for students in any discipline to get direct experience tackling problems in state government. USF’s current Florida Gubernatorial Fellow Iryna Vasko is placed in the Executive Office of the Governor, Office of Policy and Budget. She collaborates with policymakers to analyze data and forecast trends. One of her projects addresses the integrity of nutrition, pharmaceutical, advertising, and research standards.
Vasko earned her bachelor’s degree in statistics and economics from USF in 2023 after transferring from Hillsborough Community College and will graduate with an MBA in business analytics this spring. Her goal is to become an actuary.
Students interested in the Florida Gubernatorial Fellows Program should contact the Office of National Scholars.