Nicholas Grempler, Kaela Werchniak and Rene Zeevat are this year’s recipients of the Robertson Fellowship. In partnership with the Robertson Foundation for Government, each fellow receives full tuition, a cost-of-living stipend and summer internship assistance.
Nicholas Grempler holds dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and history from University of Maryland Baltimore County with a minor in Spanish. He plans to specialize in international security and economic policy at the School of Public Policy. This summer, Grempler spent time at Georgetown University, where he was one of just 18 selected from the Mid-Atlantic region for their Political Science Predoctoral Summer Institute. There, he researched right-wing populism in Argentina. The previous summer, he was one of 27 chosen globally for the Princeton University Junior Summer Institute, taking advanced courses and working on a project about electoral integrity in Ecuador. Inspired by his journey to Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, Grempler's experiences have deepened his passion for making a difference through public service.
“To me, public service means assiduously spearheading and participating in initiatives that aim to improve and unite society. Following the completion of my master’s degree, I plan to gain employment at a United States federal agency that specializes in United States-Latin America relations, uses my Spanish fluency, solidifies my intercultural competence and communication and improves and safeguards the lives of others. Later in life, I plan to enter elected office—where I will be able to apply my international affairs-focused public policy background to the formulation, debate and passage of legislation.”
Kaela Werchniak earned dual bachelor's degrees in political science and Spanish from the University of Arizona. After graduation, she spent a year teaching Spanish to high school students before pursuing her passion for international development and migrant services by joining the Peace Corps. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Boyacá, Colombia, Werchniak developed and implemented financial literacy and entrepreneurship programs focused on gender equity, organized a trade fair for women entrepreneurs, trained small business owners in strategic skills, established a regional alliance for youth and migrant development programs and led training and communications efforts for fellow volunteers.
“I am interested in economic and development policy and the way they impact small business owners, entrepreneurs and communities across the globe. I am also passionate about economic development for conflict and post-conflict regions, and have both personal and professional experience working with women, youth and migrant communities. As a proud Ukrainian-American and granddaughter of refugees, it is my dream to assist in the reconstruction and peace efforts of Ukraine and also refugee and migrant services here in the US.”
Rene Zeevat comes to the School of Public Policy with a degree in international studies and a minor in political studies and English from Bishop’s University in Quebec. Last summer, he interned in The Hague, Netherlands, as a parliamentary assistant on foreign affairs with the Dutch political party, BoerBurgerBeweging, that aims to reconnect farmers and citizens in innovative ways, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening the bond between the countryside and citizens. Previously, Zeevat participated in the National Model United Nations simulation in New York City, where he sharpened his skills in negotiation, diplomacy and conflict resolution, focusing on international development in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as climate change solutions and environmental challenges in the Middle East.
“I’m interested in international security and economic policy. I’m aiming to work in an environment where I can contribute to international public policy that emphasizes democratic practices around the world.”
Students who are chosen as Robertson Fellows must be currently enrolled in a two-year Master of Public Policy program and must express a strong commitment to pursuing a career in the federal government, specifically in areas related to foreign policy, national security and international affairs. As part of the program, Robertson Fellows are expected to complete a Robertson internship and are required to work for the federal government for at least three of their first seven years after graduating, while also demonstrating proficiency in a foreign language upon graduation.
The Robertson Foundation for Government is a nonprofit family foundation with a mission to identify, educate and inspire graduate students in the United States to pursue careers in the federal government, specifically in the fields of foreign policy, national security and international affairs. This foundation was established in honor of the late philanthropists Charles and Marie Robertson and bears their name.
