“It’s definitely a tangential benefit that we have such an extraordinary group,” he said. “It sends a great signal to young people around the country that we’re serious about doing whatever it takes to attract students into public service.”

Outreach will also be a priority for the IOP this semester, both in getting students involved with fellows and in getting student input for future fellow selection.

The other resident fellows are: Martin Mackin, general secretary of Ireland’s largest political party; and Jim Ziglar, former INS commissioner.

The visiting fellows are: Dimitrus Avranopoulos, former mayor of Athens; Jeff Blodgett, campaign manager for former Senator Paul Wellstone; Glen Browder, a former member of Congress from Alabama; Andrew Cuomo, former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development; Ron Kirk, former mayor of Dallas; Constance Morella, a former member of Congress from Maryland; Marc Morial, former mayor of New Orleans; Zvi Rafiah, former Israeli diplomat and Swift.

Glickman encouraged students to take advantage of the fellows, saying they could connect with students in a unique way.

“There are relationships built with the fellows that last a life-time,” he said.

—Staff writer Stephen M. Marks can be reached at marks@fas.harvard.edu.