Sponsored content contributed by AOC Business Partner: Center for Public Service
Across Oregon, county leaders are facing a common challenge: critical projects are stacking up while staffing remains tight. To bridge this gap, Portland State University’s Center for Public Service (CPS) is connecting Oregon counties with a pipeline of exceptionally qualified, diverse, and highly trained project managers through its 2025-26 Fellowship Program.
These fellows are recruited from over 60 prestigious graduate institutions nationwide and are specifically prepared to support counties in high-impact areas such as community engagement, program evaluation, climate policy, health equity, and data-driven research.
Strategic Support for County Goals
The program offers two distinct models tailored to different organizational needs and timelines:
- The Hatfield Resident Fellowship ($46,782): An eight-month commitment for recent Master’s and Ph.D. graduates ready to lead long-term, complex initiatives.
- The Oregon Summer Fellowship ($11,416): A ten-week intensive program designed for currently enrolled graduate students to tackle immediate, short-term project goals.
Real-World Results in Oregon Counties
County sponsorship has already proven to be a high-value investment. In recent years, counties have successfully utilized fellows to modernize internal operations. For example:
- Succession Planning: One Oregon county contracted a Summer Fellow to develop a succession plan for key positions, review workforce processes, and build new institutional relationships. The fellow’s recommendations provided significant long-term value for the county’s future planning.
- Operational Efficiency: Another county utilized a fellow to review internal fee practices and organizational structures. By conducting staff interviews and developing an effective data dashboard, the fellow directly improved the county’s programmatic efficiency.
A Streamlined Path to Partnership
PSU manages the rigorous screening and recruitment process, ensuring that sponsors are matched with candidates who possess a strong record of scholarship and a demonstrated interest in public service. Once a match is confirmed, PSU assists with the inter-governmental agreement and provides specialized training to the fellow before they arrive at your office. These fellowships offer a unique win-win: your county gains professional capacity for essential projects, while a rising leader gains invaluable experience in local government.
Ready to expand your team?
Counties interested in hosting a fellow for the upcoming cycle are encouraged to visit the PSU website and submit a sponsor application: https://www.pdx.edu/center-for-public-service/sponsor-fellow. For direct inquiries, please contact Program Administrator Meaghan Lingo at mlingo@pdx.edu.