CASE STUDY
Preparing Civic and Policy Leaders
LOCATION
New York, NY
ACTIVE
2017-present
This initiative supports New York City and State officials and political office staff through two fellowships that focus on skill development, networking, and policy deep dives. The fellowships aim to inform more effective policymaking and, in turn, bolster better outcomes for New York City and State communities.
Challenge:
For New York City and State political leaders and their staff, a deeper understanding of the demands, pressures, and responsibilities of their roles can help inform their decision making and drive positive impact on the communities they serve. Professional development, networking, and skill-building opportunities for new and upcoming public service leaders can empower policymakers and their staff to excel in their positions. However, these opportunities are few and far between, with most expected to learn exclusively on the job.
Approach:
In 2017, CUNY ISLG created and launched two fellowships to fill this gap. Harnessing our staff’s decades of experience working in and around state and local government and our networks of policy experts, these fellowships create a community to cultivate leadership skills, understand governance processes, elevate policy priorities, and share resources among New York City and State leaders.
The Kriegel Fellowship for Public Service Leaders
This fellowship is a professional development program supporting the unique needs, demands, and responsibilities encountered by staff of legislators who represent New York City and State communities. It honors the legacy of Jay L. Kriegel, who served as chief of staff to New York City’s Mayor John Lindsay and was dedicated to supporting new generations of leaders in elected office and public service in New York.
This one-of-a-kind program supports and empowers chiefs of staff, deputy chiefs, legislative directors, and other staff in state, local, and borough political offices to better serve both their offices and their constituents, and grow confidently into the next generation of public service leaders. Kriegel Fellows are selected by an evaluation committee based on their commitment to public service, the program’s ability to address their needs, and a commitment to diversity in both identity and lived experience. The program leverages the knowledge and experience of CUNY ISLG staff and its external networks of experts in leadership and management, policymaking, and civic life.
This one-of-a-kind program supports and empowers chiefs of staff, deputy chiefs, legislative directors, and other staff in state, local, and borough political offices to better serve both their offices and their constituents.
Through skill-based training and networking, participants learn to effectively manage the office of an elected official; meaningfully engage their constituency and develop strategies to meet community needs; and effectively advocate for constituents with enhanced competency in key policy areas.
The Lindsay Fellowship in Government Leadership and Practice
Designed for City and State legislative leaders elected in the prior four years, this fellowship was named for John Lindsay, who served New York City in both the U.S. House of Representatives and, later, as mayor. The Lindsay Fellowship honors his Congressional leadership on such pivotal issues as civil rights and immigration, as well as his mayoral legacy of recruiting young talent, especially minorities, for whom he sought ways to encourage growth and advance career opportunities.
Each class of the Lindsay Fellows meets over the course of the program to exchange ideas with business, civic, and academic leaders; experts in sectors including media and technology; and former government leaders. In addition to policy deep dives with a range of experts, the program broadens the Fellows’ ability to lead and support effective teams that are responsive to their communities’ needs. It seeks to grow the Fellows’ understanding of constituencies, pressures, and concerns that impact government deliberations and decision-making, as well as provides opportunities to build relationships with a range of leaders from academia, business, media, non-governmental organizations, and civic life.
Constituent Services Fellowship
For many people, their first contact with their elected official is through the offices’ constituent services. These frontline staff perform critical work with the community that goes beyond fielding questions and requests; they map how to outreach to and engage with their community, determine the most effective responses, and generally serve as a liaison between the elected official and the public.
These frontline staff perform critical work with the community that goes beyond fielding questions and requests.
New in 2026, this Fellowship offers an intensive professional development program for constituent-facing staff such as constituent services managers, community liaisons, and district directors serving New York City and State legislators. Over two days, Fellows receive formal training on managing constituent casework, from domestic violence to housing; learn to quantify and communicate constituent services impact through memos to managers and principals; and are introduced to policy work through Census data training, policy papers, and conversations with policy experts.
Progress:
Since fall 2020, each cohort of Kriegel fellows has participated in interactive sessions focused on three core areas of skill-building: leadership and management, partnerships and community organizing, and key policy and governing areas. Read our blog for information about the 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 cohorts.
The Lindsay Fellowship in Government Leadership and Practice has supported three cohorts of City Council members, State Assemblymembers, and State Senators in cultivating their capacity for current and future leadership. Read our blog for more information about the 2019, 2021, and 2022 cohorts, In 2026, we’re relaunching the Fellowship.
For more information, contact Siobhán Carney at siobhan.carney@islg.cuny.edu.
