Governor Crist Announces Fifth Class of Gubernatorial Fellows

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Charlie Crist today announced the members of the fifth class of the Gubernatorial Fellowship Program. Students participating in the program will gain first-hand experience into how state government operates.

“I commend these outstanding students for their achievements in the classroom and their enthusiasm for serving the people of Florida,” said Governor Crist. “Public service is an honor, as well as a great responsibility, and the Gubernatorial Fellows program is a unique way for students to gain valuable on- the-job experience while learning about the positive impact public service has on the lives of all Floridians.”

Students were selected based on a competitive application process and selected based on their ability to show strong leadership, written and oral communication skills, community activism, and a desire to serve the people of Florida. They will work in the Executive Office of the Governor or in Governor’s agencies, depending on their area of study. Fellows will be expected to work a minimum of 20 hours each week and will receive an hourly wage for their time on the job. To broaden the Fellows’ exposure to state government and enhance their experience, they will also meet weekly as a group to participate in educational activities such as presentations, press conferences, budget briefings and policy briefings.

The following 14 students have been selected as the fifth Gubernatorial Fellows class:

  • Andrea Arce-Trigatti, 22, of Tallahassee, graduate student in international affairs at Florida State University. She holds bachelor’s degrees in history, international affairs, and Latin American and Caribbean studies from Florida State University.
  • Terin Barbas, 24, of Tampa, third-year law student pursuing a combined master’s degree in business administration at Florida State University. She holds a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Notre Dame.
  • Eric Boulware, 22, of Gainesville, senior in finance at the University of Florida.
  • Hugh W. Brown, Jr., 29, of Miami, graduate student in international economics at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. He holds bachelor’s degrees in history and international affairs from Florida State University.
  • Jennifer Campbell, 21, of Fort Lauderdale, a graduate student in international affairs at Florida State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Florida State University.
  • Sarah Criser, 22, of Coral Gables, graduate student in political communication and campaigning at the University of Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida.
  • Ian Dankelman, 21, of Jacksonville, senior in political science and history at Florida State University.
  • Herron Gaston, 22, of Haines City, graduate student in political science from Florida A&M University. He holds a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in political science/pre-law studies from Florida A&M University.
  • Timothy Mason, 20, of Orlando, senior in political science from the University of Central Florida.
  • Thomas Philpot, 25, of Pensacola, second-year law student at Florida State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida.
  • Disraeli Smith, 21, of Atlanta, Georgia, fourth-year professional MBA student at Florida A&M University.
  • Jarrid Smith, 24, of the Brighton Seminole Reservation, graduate student in communication and multimedia studies at Florida Atlantic University. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science, communication and multimedia studies from Florida Atlantic University.
  • Chris Tanner, 29, of Tampa, third-year law student at Florida State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Florida State University.
  • Ryan Todd, 23, of Jupiter, second-year law student at the University of Florida. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and philosophy from Duke University.

The program begins today, August 17, 2009, and ends on Friday, May 14, 2010. Students are enrolled in classes, either at Florida State University or Florida A&M University in Tallahassee or through distance learning courses provided by their home institutions.

For more information and eligibility requirements for the Gubernatorial Fellowship Program, please visit www.myflorida.com/fellows or call the Gubernatorial Fellows office at (850) 410-0501. Applications for the 2010/2011 Gubernatorial Fellows Class will be available online from October 1, 2009, through March 5, 2010.

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