Biden School students Henry Goodson (left), AJ Nehru (center), and Alex Dewey (right) excel in academia while preparing for their professional careers through unique opportunities offered at UD.

Seizing Opportunities

Article by Sophonie Milord Photos courtesy of Biden School staff October 03, 2025

University of Delaware students, from undergrad to graduate, embrace opportunities available across campus

When Henry Goodson interviewed for a paid student fellowship with the University of Delaware’s Conflict Resolution Program (CRP), he had no idea that he would have a chance to apply his academic research on civic narratives. Yet, with the support of his supervisors, Goodson turned his passion into a presentation for the Delaware Municipal Clerks Institute about how town stories can shape public perception and foster civic engagement.

“The chance to engage public servants and talk about public perceptions about government was incredibly engaging,” said Goodson. “The Municipal Clerks Institute is a fantastic program, and it was an honor to be a part of it!”

Contributing to the planning and leading of the Delaware Municipal Clerks Institute is just one of several opportunities Goodson enjoyed while working as a Public Administration Fellow with CRP, a program at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration.

“The CRP program has strengthened my academic development by helping me apply learned skills into action through real-world context,” said Goodson, who graduated in May 2025 from the Biden School’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. “Professionally, I have met with policymakers and officials while having the opportunity to practice data management and team involvement, and overall, it has allowed me to try different things that I may not have been able to in other settings or programs.”

In addition to training city and town administrators from Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, Goodson helped coordinate the Delaware Department of Labor Leadership Academy, conducted research on human resource issues, and designed program evaluations under the guidance of his supervisor and IPA Associate Policy Scientist Joy Jordan.

“My advice for future students is to take the initiative and get engaged. The teams here are incredibly supportive and want to give students every opportunity to work on real-world projects,” he advised. “Jump in and take part in everything you can; the teams here are eager and willing to listen to ideas and suggestions that their students have.”

AJ Nehru poses for a photo with Dr. Jerome Lewis, director of the Institute for Public Administration (IPA).

AJ Nehru, an undergraduate honors student majoring in economics with minors in history and mathematics, was selected as a 2025 UD Legislative Fellow. Established in 1982, the Legislative Fellows Program offers UD and Delaware State University students an immersive internship with the Delaware General Assembly. Working three days a week from January to June, students conduct nonpartisan research for Delaware lawmakers, staff standing committees and engage in constituent relations. Through this prestigious and highly competitive program, fifteen students provide critical support to the state legislature that would otherwise fall to full-time professionals.

Working in the House Majority Caucus, Nehru staffed the finance and economic development committees. She conducted policy research on a variety of topics that could inform legislation for the caucus and drafted committee meeting minutes.

After completing the Legislative Fellows program in June 2025, Nehru was hired as a Summer Undergraduate Biden School Fellow. Working directly with IPA Associate Director Troy Mix, she collaborated on researching the feasibility and potential form of a Delaware Futures Council, which would help the state prepare for economic uncertainty.

Nehru advises students looking to pursue similar work to “Keep an open mind. Everything is as valuable as you make it.”

Alex Dewey, a student in the Biden School’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, completed his Bachelor of Science in political science and a Bachelor of Arts in public policy at UD in May. Dewey credits the MPA program with strengthening his analysis skills from both a data and administrative perspective.

In 2024, Dewey participated in the Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. program, which provides UD undergraduate students, regardless of major, an opportunity to live, work and learn in the nation's capital for the entire Spring Semester. Dewey interned at the National Institute for Civil Discourse, where he coordinated and scheduled briefings with over thirty congressional offices for CommonSense American. He also conducted background research and follow-up communications while carrying out over fifty member interviews to inform policy insights on Career-Connected Learning and Workforce Pell and managed engagement strategy and tracking.

Students in the Spring Semester in Washington D.C. program are assigned a four-day-per-week internship, allowing them to engage in real-world policy, political experience and access to a broad network of professionals. Program benefits include housing, utilities, multiple planned excursions and Metro rail system fares. The Spring Semester in Washington, D.C. program is jointly sponsored by the Biden School, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Ithaca Initiative, the Biden Institute, IPA and the Center for Global Programs and Services.

For students looking to engage in similar opportunities, Dewey advised, “Know who you are, know your strengths and weaknesses. Consider how you can contribute to others.”

The Biden School encourages incoming and current students to explore opportunities across campus to help further their academic and professional acumen during their college careers. Undergraduate and graduate students interested in building their skill set beyond classroom instruction should explore the student opportunities page for program information and details on the application process.

“The CRP program has strengthened my academic development by helping me apply learned skills into action through real-world context,” said Goodson, who graduated in May 2025 from the Biden School’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) program.

About the Institute for Public Administration

The University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA) adds partners to the policy, planning and management team by integrating applied research, professional development and the education of tomorrow’s leaders. As a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration, IPA collaborates with state agencies, municipal governments, nonprofits, communities and businesses to examine complex policy issues and improve quality of life in Delaware and beyond.

About the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration

Established in 1961 and named in 2018 for the University of Delaware’s most distinguished alumnus, the 46th President of the United States, the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration prepares students with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in research and public service to improve the quality of life in communities around the world. Biden School faculty, staff, students and alumni create and use interdisciplinary, nonpartisan research, and empirically based analysis to inform effective decision-making and policy and to improve leadership and administration. The Biden School partners with organizations from all sectors to discover innovative and equitable solutions to the critical challenges of our time.

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