ALCOAST 290/18 - AUG 2018 2019-2020 WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS (WHF) PROGRAM

R 161527 AUG 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-092//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01738//
ALCOAST 290/18
COMDTNOTE 1738
SUBJ: 2019-2020 WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS (WHF) PROGRAM
1. President Lyndon Johnson established the White House Fellows Program in 1964 to
offer opportunities to gifted and highly motivated young Americans to experience
governance at the highest levels first hand. The White House Fellows Program seeks
talented individuals from all sectors of our national life - private industry,
academia, medicine, military, law, the arts, and state and local government.
Civilian federal government employees are not eligible. The White House selects
11-19 Fellows each year through a national competition process.
2. Fellows serve for one year as special assistants to high ranking officials of
the executive branch, including cabinet secretaries and senior members of the
Executive Office of the President. Fellows also participate in an extensive mandatory
education program that augments and enhances the work placement experience by
providing weekly speaker seminars, monthly community service engagements, and policy
trips to study various issues.
3. Fellows are chosen based on substantial records of professional, educational, and
public service accomplishment as well as demonstrated promise to serve in more senior
capacities in the future. Military Fellows have typically been in the ranks O-3 to
O-5, hold a Bachelor’s degree and at least one graduate degree, and serve in
leadership roles in professional and community service organizations. Biographies of
most recent White House Fellows are available at:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/white-house-announces-2017-2018-class-
white-house-fellows/.
4. District Commanders and Commanding Officers should identify eligible and high
performing Coast Guard military officers and enlisted members and personally encourage
them to apply for this program.
5. Ten Coast Guard officers have been selected to serve as White House Fellows since
program inception and seven of them are still on active duty. LCDR Elizabeth Gillis is
a member of the 2018-2019 WHF class; fellow placements have not yet been determined.
LT Linden Dahlkemper is a member of the 2016-2017 WHF class and served in the General
Services Administration. LT LaShanda Holmes is a member of the 2015-2016 WHF class and
served in the Office of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
administrator. CDR Kate Higgins-Bloom is a member of the 2014-2015 WHF class and served
in the Office of the First Lady. CDR Anne O’Connell is a member of the 2012-2013 WHF
class and served on the Domestic Policy Council. LCDR Clay Pell is a member of the
2011-2012 WHF class and served in the U.S. Department of Education. CAPT Holly Harrison
is a member of the 2010-2011 WHF class and served in the Office of the NASA administrator.
CAPT (ret) Jonathan Spaner is a member of the 2002-2003 WHF class and served on the
White House Homeland Security Council Staff.
6. An informational session for interested applicants will be held Thursday, 27 SEP 2018
from 1400-1530 ET at Coast Guard Headquarters Room 7N15-01. Telephone call-in number will
be provided to facilitate remote participation. CAPT Harrison, CDR Higgins-Bloom, LCDR
Clay Pell, and other WHF alumni will discuss the application process, their fellowship
experiences and answer questions. If you are interested in participating, contact the
COMDT (CG-0921) POC listed in Paragraph 10.
7. The application process is managed entirely by the White House. The Coast Guard plays
no role in selecting candidates, therefore Coast Guard applicants should not send
applications via the chain of command. However, individuals should inform COMDT (CG-0921)
if they intend to apply to the program. See POC information in Paragraph 10.
8. Application forms and all related information are accessible via the White House
Fellows website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/fellows/about. Although the
2019-2020 schedule has not yet been announced, typically the online application is
available early NOV 2018 and must be submitted with all supporting documents by early
JAN 2019. The fellowship year usually runs approximately 23 AUG to 23 AUG inclusive.
9. COMDT (CG-0921) will sponsor applicants selected by the White House Fellows Office
for interviews. Individuals selected as Fellows will work with CG Personnel Command to
coordinate PCS transfer arrangements.
10. Direct additional questions to Michele Zauche, COMDT (CG-0921), Michele.R.Zauche@uscg.mil.
11. RDML Melissa Bert, Director, Governmental and Public Affairs, sends.
12. Internet release authorized.