Three recent graduates from Florida State University’s Askew School of Public Administration and Policy have been selected for the prestigious International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Local Government Management Fellowship, a highly competitive program that places emerging public service professionals in management-track positions with local governments across the United States.
The Askew School shares this distinction with the University of Kansas, which is ranked the nation’s top program for local government management by U.S. News & World Report. This year, 27 fellows are serving in 20 host communities nationwide.
FSU’s 2025 Fellows are Jessie Yuan (MPA ’25), placed with the City of Durham, North Carolina; Taniya Williams (MPA ’24), working with the City of Phoenix, Arizona; and Harrison Netburn (MPA ’24), serving in Pinellas County, Florida.
Yuan described her experience with the City of Durham as “nothing short of fantastic.” She added, “From the very start, I was welcomed with enthusiasm and given opportunities to learn from and collaborate with a wide range of departments. The fellow position is well-known and highly regarded in the city allowing me to connect with individuals across departments and contribute to meaningful projects.”
“My experience as a fellow has been incredibly rewarding,” said Williams. “I’ve encountered challenges and opportunities that have pushed me to think critically, problem-solve creatively, and grow both personally and professionally.”
“The ICMA Local Government Management Fellowship has been a fantastic opportunity for me,” said Netburn. “Through this program, I have been able to see many different departments within the County and gain a holistic understanding of the way departments rely on one another. I have grown both personally and professionally and cannot recommend the fellowship more to those interested in local government.”
The Local Government Management Fellowship program provides recent graduates from NASPAA-accredited master’s programs in public administration, public policy, or related fields the opportunity to gain hands-on experience under the direct mentorship of senior local government executives, often ICMA members. Fellows engage in strategic planning, community engagement, and process improvement projects during a 12-month appointment, with an option to extend for a second year.
“The ICMA Local Government Management Fellows program is a highly competitive opportunity that provides graduates with hands-on experience rotating through various departments, mentorship from top organizational leaders, and a comprehensive understanding of city and county management,” said Raoul Lavin, Teaching Faculty and MPA Co-Director in the Askew School. “The fact that the Askew School currently has three fellows in this prestigious program is a testament to the exceptional quality and preparation of our MPA program, as many fellows go on to be hired by their host organizations or are sought after by other local governments nationwide.
The FSU ICMA Student Chapter will host an information session for interested students on October 15, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., featuring Netburn and former fellow Diana Gallego, now serving as the City of Tallahassee’s Manager of Human Resources and Workforce Development.
The application process for the 2026 Fellowship class is now open. To learn more about the ICMA Local Government Management Fellowship, visit icma.org. To learn more about the Askew School, visit askew.fsu.edu.