Second-year student Andrea Zekis of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service has been named a finalist for the 2020 class of the prestigious Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF).
Run by the U.S. Government’s Office of Personnel Management, the PMF Program is a flagship development leadership program created for advanced degree candidates, focusing on ultimately developing a cadre of potential leaders in government.
Finalists who ultimately receive an appointment participate in a two-year training and development program within a U.S. Government department or agency. Finalists have 12 months from the announcement of their selection to accept and start a PMF appointment.
“I’m thankful and honored to be chosen as a Presidential Management Fellow,” Zekis said. “I’m grateful to be acknowledged for my skill, talent, and dedication to public service, but this also speaks very well of the Clinton School and the preparation and opportunities they have afforded me to get to this moment. I am both elated and humbled, because I understand the importance of this fellowship to building public servants, leaders, and our country.”
The PMF Program received over 4,900 applications and selected 402 Finalists for the Class of 2020. Selection of Finalists is based on eligibility for the program as well as the candidates’ application, assessment scores, and Federal agencies’ reported hiring projections. The Finalist Class of 2020 represents 61 disciplines, 125 academic institutions, and 13% are veterans.
Zekis joins Emily Fischer (’10), Fernando Cutz (’12), Kate Cawvey (’12), and John Vollertsen (’13) as Presidential Management Fellows from the Clinton School of Public Service.
Zekis is currently completing a semester-long fellowship as a McLarty Scholar with Vital Voices Global Partnership (VVGP) in Washington, D.C. Her work is focused on researching and evaluating the interaction, strength, and effectiveness of the VVGP global network of women leaders.
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