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Fifteen Harvard Graduates Awarded Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowships

City Hall Fellows Cohort 4

A fourth cohort of fellows, from five Harvard graduate schools, will join city hall teams for two years to advance priorities and deliver impact for residents across the United States

September 11, 2025 (Cambridge, Massachusetts)—The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, a program of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University, has selected fifteen recent graduates of Harvard graduate schools as the newest Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellows. Now in its fourth year, the fully funded fellowship places emerging leaders in city halls across the country to strengthen local government capacity and help cities address urgent community challenges.

The 2025–2027 Fellows bring knowledge in domains including public health, education, urban planning, policy development, and public administration. They will work alongside city leaders to advance mayoral priorities over the next two years in areas such as tackling homelessness, designing collaborative youth services, making neighborhoods more climate resilient, expanding affordable housing, and building data analytics capabilities to improve city service delivery. Each fellow is matched with a city that has participated in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative’s leadership development program for mayors and senior city officials.

Fellows and Host Cities

  • Beaverton, Oregon
    James Coltella, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2024

  • Boise, Idaho
    Rachel Fischer, Harvard Graduate School of Design MUP 2025

  • Columbia, Missouri
    Alejandra Pardini, Harvard Graduate School of Design MDes 2025

  • Honolulu, Hawaii
    Jada Rossman, Harvard Graduate School of Design, MUP 2025

  • Iowa City, Iowa
    Nora Cahill, Harvard Kennedy School MPP 2025

  • Knoxville, Tennessee
    Emily Gonçalves, Harvard Kennedy School MPP 2025

  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    Sreela Srinivasan, Harvard Kennedy School MPP 2025

  • Newport News, Virginia
    Michelle Cruz, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2025

  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
    Elizabeth Bliss-Burger, Harvard Divinity School MTS 2025

  • Peoria, Illinois
    Jacob Xavier, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2025

  • Pomona, California
    Louis McDonald, Harvard Kennedy School MPA 2025

  • Reno, Nevada
    Irum Malik, Harvard Kennedy School MPP 2025

  • Sunnyvale, California
    Daniel Bui, Harvard Graduate School of Education EdM 2025

  • Tallahassee, Florida
    Maria Arogundade, Harvard Graduate School of Education EdM 2025

  • Vancouver, Washington
    Lexi Farina, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health MPH 2025

Photos and bios

The Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowship embeds Harvard master’s and professional degree graduates in full-time leadership roles within city halls. Over the two-year term, fellows contribute to tackling significant mayoral priorities while helping city governments build the capacity to sustain progress beyond the fellowship. The work spans a wide range of municipal priorities with an emphasis on lasting, resident-centered impact.

“As our fourth cohort of fellows steps into their roles in city halls across the U.S., I am inspired by the skills and perspectives they bring to the work of local government,” said Snapper Poche, Program Director of City Support for the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.

“In just two years, we’ve seen fellows help cities achieve meaningful results for residents—and many have chosen to continue serving in city government because the work is so impactful. The challenges they will take on are some of the most pressing issues cities face today. I know this remarkable group will help city halls strengthen the capabilities to carry this work forward for years to come.”

Previous fellows have partnered with cities on advances including reducing gun violence, expanding civic engagement, improving service delivery across city hall, implementing climate resilience measures, revitalizing underserved neighborhoods, and strengthening local economic development. Building on these efforts, this year’s cohort brings expertise from five Harvard schools—Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Graduate School of Design, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Harvard Divinity School.

Fellows receive a competitive salary and benefits; professional development and cohort learning opportunities throughout the two years, including in-person convenings and regular engagement with peers, Bloomberg Harvard staff, and faculty; and a unique chance to work closely with local government to improve the lives of residents.

Visit the Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellowships page for more information.

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