Two graduate students from the University of Maryland School of Public Policy – Saveena Suri and Zachary Wandalowski – have been awarded the Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations. Each student will receive $5,000 in funding to support their summer internships, reflecting their exceptional commitment to international affairs and public service.
Suri is currently interning with the Office of Africa and the Middle East in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS is the principal federal agency tasked with protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, particularly for those least able to help themselves. Suri's work contributes to critical health initiatives that impact some of the world's most vulnerable populations, highlighting her dedication to global health and humanitarian efforts.
Wandalowski is serving as a policy and evaluation intern at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). Established in January 2004, MCC is a U.S. government agency that collaborates with some of the poorest countries globally, operating on the belief that aid is most effective when it supports good governance, economic freedom and investments in people. Wandalowski's work contributes to the reduction of global poverty through sustainable economic growth, emphasizing his commitment to international development and economic justice.
The Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations was established in 1977 in memory of Harold Rosenthal, a Senate staff member killed in a terrorist attack at age 29 while on official duty. This fellowship provides graduate students in international affairs the opportunity to intern at a congressional or executive branch office for the summer, nurturing the next generation of leaders in international relations.
Rosenthal Fellows receive a 10-12-week summer internship at a congressional or executive branch office if an internship placement is needed. They also receive a stipend of $5,000 if funding is not secured from an outside source, and the position is full-time. Additionally, fellows benefit from professional development sessions, including orientation and networking events throughout the summer.
This fellowship recognizes the individual achievements of Suri and Wandalowski, and highlights SPP’s commitment to developing leaders who are ready to tackle pressing global challenges and promote meaningful change.