“I want to be able to connect the ideas of what I’ve seen firsthand on the ground in the course of the decade that I’ve served in government with the young generation,” she said.

While most fellows leave their occupations and spend time at the IOP before returning to work, Grayson said that Center, who plans to teach a study group on women, the media, and politics, will still work part time for Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper, while a fellow.

“Roll Call is very supportive,” Center said in a phone interview. “It’s the midterm election year and Roll Call focuses on Congress, so I’ll be back to cover the edits and leader section for the rest of the campaign year.”

While living at Harvard, Grayson said the fellows will host office hours where students can hear stories about the fellows’ professional work and ask for career advice.

“[The fellows] are very much [a part] of an immersive campus, interacting with students and faculty,” Grayson said. “They are a great resource for students.”

—Staff writer Meg P. Bernhard can be reached at mbernhard@college.harvard.edu.