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Introducing the 2018 Wilder Fellows

 Wilder Fellows with Interim Dean Susan Gooden. Left to right: Jeffrey Crawford, Ashley Ferguson, Maya Coleman, J’Niyah Knox-Wilson, Linwood Rogers, Conor Blackwood, Interim Dean Susan Gooden, Ph.D., Lark Washington, Eric Mai, Aleigh Faulk, Gabriella Pino-Moreno, and Javon Johnson
Wilder Fellows with Interim Dean Susan Gooden. Left to right: Jeffrey Crawford, Ashley Ferguson, Maya Coleman, J’Niyah Knox-Wilson, Linwood Rogers, Conor Blackwood, Interim Dean Susan Gooden, Ph.D., Lark Washington, Eric Mai, Aleigh Faulk, Gabriella Pino-Moreno, and Javon Johnson

VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs ­has announced the 12th class of its Wilder Graduate Scholars’ Fellows Program. The 2018-19 cohort, which includes promising scholars in criminal justice, homeland security and emergency preparedness, public administration, and urban and regional planning, represents one of the largest cohorts in the program’s history with 13 scholars from 11 participating host agencies.

Fellows will receive approximately $29,000 to support a year of full-time graduate study in exchange for 20 hours of professional service at a host nonprofit or government agency. The Wilder Graduate Scholars’ Fellows are supported by the generous contributions of this year’s host agencies, which include the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Virginia Department of Social Services, Henrico County, the city of Richmond and the Richmond Planning District Commission. Additional VCU host agencies include the Center for Public Policy, Performance Management Group, the Center for Urban and Regional Analysis, the Survey Evaluation Research Lab, the Office of the President, and Development and Alumni Relations.

“Our host employers are champions in the Wilder School’s endeavor to provide students with real-world context for practice and enrichment,” said Shajuana Isom-Payne, interim assistant dean of student success, the office that administers the program.

“Because of their investment, we're able to offer competitive tuition and academic support packages to our best and brightest students. It’s an encouraging sign of their commitment to the experiential learning that we provide at the Wilder School."

The Wilder Fellows program was established in 2006 to help attract and retain exceptional students in an increasingly competitive environment. Fellows are selected from top candidates in the school’s master’s programs in criminal justice, homeland security and emergency preparedness, public administration and urban and regional planning and are appointed to serve for approximately 600 hours over the course of a full academic year.

In addition to financial support, applied practice and insight into their prospective career paths, Fellows receive enrichment and professional development opportunities through regular meetings with leaders in the public sector and a network of current and former fellows.

The 2018-19 cohort of the Wilder Graduate Scholars' Fellows and their host agency appointments include:

Conor Blackwood of Richmond, Va., a second-year master’s student in homeland security and emergency preparedness, has been appointed to the Virginia Department of Corrections. His research interests include intelligence, counter-terrorism and national security. Blackwood holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of Pennsylvania.

Jeffrey R. Crawford of Centerville, Va., a second-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the Wilder School’s Center for Urban and Regional Analysis. His research interests include environmental planning and environmental policy. Crawford holds a bachelor’s degree in urban dynamics from Arizona State University.

Maya Coleman of Waldorf, Md., a first-year master’s student in public administration, has received a dual appointment to the VCU Office of the President and Development and Alumni Relations. Her research interests include low-income housing and transportation policy. Coleman holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampton University.

Aleigh Faulk of New Kent, Va., a first-year master’s student in public administration, has received a dual appointment to the Center for Public Policy and the Performance Management Group.  Her research interests include nonprofit management, gender violence and mental health advocacy. Faulk holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Christopher Newport University.

Ashley N. Ferguson of Goochland County, Va., a first-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the city of Richmond’s Office of Community of Wealth Building. Her research interests include renewable energy, urban design and public administration. Ferguson holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies from VCU.

Javon Johnson of Suffolk, Va., a second-year master’s student in public administration, has been appointed to Henrico County’s Planning Department. His research interests include human resources management and local government. Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in social work from VCU.

Rachel Jordan of Chesapeake, Va., a second-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the Wilder School’s Center for Urban and Regional Analysis. Her research interests include social equity, transportation policy and critical geography. Jordan holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies from VCU.

J’Niyah Knox-Wilson of Newport News, Va., a second-year master’s student in public administration, has been re-appointed to the Virginia Department of Corrections. Her research interests include education policy, financial management and policy evaluation. Knox-Wilson, who is a Rhodes Scholar finalist, holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampton University.

Gabriella Pino-Moreno of Richmond, Va., a first-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the Virginia Department of Corrections. Her research interests include social justice, economic equality and community planning. Pino-Moreno, who worked full- time as an undergraduate, holds a bachelor’s degree in urban and regional studies from Virginia Commonwealth University where she graduated cum laude.

Eric Mai, of Newport News, Va., a first-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the Wilder School’s Survey and Evaluation Research Lab. His research interests include environmental racism, urban revitalization and ethnic neighborhoods. Mai holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from Christopher Newport University and a master’s degree in archaeology and heritage management from the University of Leicester.

Elizabeth ‘Libba’ McKinsey, of Asheville, N.C., a second-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the Richmond Planning District Commission. Her research interests include inclusionary zoning, transportation equity and community organizing. McKinsey holds bachelor’s degrees in Spanish, international relations and business administration from Elon University.

Linwood ‘Woody’ Rogers, of Richmond, Va., a first-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the Virginia Department of Corrections. His research interests include housing and community development. Rogers holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies and history from the University of Pittsburgh.

Lark Washington, of Suffolk, Va., a first-year master’s student in urban and regional planning, has been appointed to the Virginia Department of Social Services. Her research interests include affordable housing and community development. Washington holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Virginia.