ALCOAST 323/20 - AUG 2020 2021-2022 WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS (WHF) PROGRAM

R 281346 AUG 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-092//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01738//
ALCOAST 323/20
COMDTNOTE 1738
SUBJ: 2021-2022 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, first hand, governance
at the highest levels. 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 typically hold a Bachelors and at least one
graduate degree, and serve in leadership roles in professional and
community service organizations. Bios of the most recent White House
Fellows are available at:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/white-house-appoints-
2019-2020-class-white-house-fellows/.
4. District Commanders and Commanding Officers should identify
eligible and high performing Coast Guard mid-grade officers
and enlisted members and personally encourage them to apply for this
program.
5. Twelve Coast Guard members have been selected to serve as White
House Fellows since program inception and six of them are still on
active duty and three are reservists. LCDR (Reserve) Travis Thul is a
member of the 2020-2021 WHF class; as of this announcement, he
has not been assigned to his fellowship. LCDR Elizabeth Gillis is
a member of the 2018-2019 WHF class and served in the U.S.
Department of the Treasury. LT (Reserve) Brian Churchill also
is a member of the 2018-2019 WHF class and served in the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation. LCDR Linden Dahlkemper
is a member of the 2016-2017 WHF class and served in the General
Services Administration. LCDR 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.
CAPT (sel) Kate Higgins-Bloom is a member of the 2014-2015 WHF
class and served in the Office of the First Lady. CDR Anne OConnell
is a member of the 2012-2013 WHF class and served on the U.S.
Domestic Policy Council. LCDR (Reserve) Clay Pell is a member of
the 2011-2012 WHF class and served in the U.S. National Security
Council. 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, 17 SEP 2020 from 1400-1530 ET via telephone and/or video
platform. Several of the WHF alumni listed above will discuss the
application process, their fellowship experiences, and answer
questions. If you are interested in participating in the session,
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/get-involved/fellows/. Although the
2021-2022 schedule has not yet been announced, the online
application will be available 01 NOV 2020 and must be submitted with
all supporting documents by early JAN 2021. The fellowship year
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 at COMDT (CG-0921),
email: Michele.R.Zauche@uscg.mil.
11. RDML J.P. Hickey, Director, Governmental and Public Affairs, sends.
12. Internet release is authorized.