Education Leadership Fellowship Program
Established in 2024 by Chairman Brandon L. Simmons, the Education Leadership Fellowship Program is a pioneering initiative cultivated to develop future educational leaders. Appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, Regent Brandon L. Simmons, serves as the Twenty-Third Chairman since October 2023 and is an experienced board member and advocate for educational reform. This fellowship was created to provide recent baccalaureate degree recipients with the opportunity to engage in policy development and impactful initiatives that shape the future landscape of Texas Southern University. Fellows have the chance to work collaboratively with administrators, faculty, and students to advance the university’s mission, vision, and objectives. Fellows serve for one full year in Mack Hannah Hall, the administrative center of Texas Southern University.
Policy Research and Analysis:
- Conduct in-depth research on current trends, best practices, and emerging issues in higher education policy and law.
- Analyze education policies, legislation, and regulations to provide recommendations for the Board of Regents.
Collaboration with Stakeholders:
- Engage with university stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, and external partners, to gather insights and perspectives.
- Facilitate communication and collaboration between different academic units and administrative departments.
Program Development and Evaluation:
- Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs and initiatives.
- Collaborate with relevant university departments to ensure alignment with institutional goals.
Board Meeting Preparation:
- Prepare briefing materials, reports, and presentations for Board of Regents meetings.
- Attend meetings and provide support in conveying educational initiatives and progress to board members.
- Oversee the funds of the department to cover expenses related to needs of the staff in carrying out job responsibilities including reconciliations, travel, accounts payable/receivable, procurement, and personnel. Provides financial accountability and ensures compliance with state, university and external funding agency guidelines and general accounting-related issues within the department.
Data Collection and Reporting:
- Collect and analyze data related to educational outcomes, enrollment trends, and student success metrics.
- Prepare comprehensive reports for internal and external stakeholders
- U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
- Recent Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree
- Interest in education, law, policy, or a related field
- Ability to work full-time, Monday through Friday 8am- 5pm, plus weekends and holidays as needed.
- Professional Development
- Competitive Salary and Benefits
- Networking Opportunity
- Career Clarity
- Possible Graduate Student Credit
- Application Opens- January 6th, 2025
- Application Closes- March 7th, 2025
- Interviews- March 17th, 2025- April 10th, 2025
- Decisions Issued- April 30th, 2025
- Program Begins- September 1st, 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Meet the Fellows
Joseph Johnson
Joseph Johnson joins the fellowship program as a native Houstonian and proud Texas Southern University alumnus. A graduate of the Barbara Jordan Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs c/o ’21, Mr. Johnson previously served as Student Regent and Chairman of the Undergraduate Student Advisory Council. His professional background includes roles in business development and legal administration, highlighted by co-founding a business and managing projects. Joseph is passionate about education, public affairs, and community service and is honored to be back at Texas Southern as an inaugural Education Leadership Fellow.
Ayana McLemore
Ayana McLemore graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2023 with Bachelor degrees in both Political Science and Communications. Ayana has a professional background in education as well as legal administration, serving as a guest teacher in Humble ISD and a legal assistant at a family law firm. Ayana also served as Senior Class President at Prairie View, identifying student concerns and formulating policy based on the discovery. Because education and law are both passions of hers, she is elated to be an Inaugural Education Leadership Fellow, where she can engage in policy and educational leadership.