Welcome to the mid-Summer edition of the Paragon Policy Fellowship newsletter! Here’s what the team has been up to since our last issue:
Do you want to work at the forefront of tech policy with state and local governments? Applications are now open to become a Fall 2025 Paragon Policy Fellow. Apply at paragonfellowship.org/apply by Friday, September 5th 11:59 pm ET.
Not only will Fellows get to work on practical, one-of-a-kind projects with government partners, they will also gain access to various internal opportunities and a lasting alumni network of tech policy aficionados. Fellows spend 5-10 hours a week on their projects and receive a $500 stipend for their work. Spread the word to other students and recent graduates interested in technology, government, or public policy!
To learn more about the Fellowship, check out our website and be sure to read the rest of this issue. In addition, we encourage everyone interested in applying to attend our east coast info session on August 16th and our west coast info session on August 30th! These are a great way to hear more about the program, get your questions answered by current Fellows, Project Leads and Organizing Team Members, and learn how to make your application stand out. We will also be holding office hours on September 3 for applicants to get last minute questions answered.
Do you work for a state or local government in the U.S. that may benefit from pro bono technology policy work? Do you want to help foster the next generation of public interest technologists? Let us know at paragonfellowship.org/interest-form and we’ll be in touch!
We have officially launched the Paragon Policy Mentorship Program, a six-month, biannual initiative designed to support current and former Paragon Fellows as they navigate the tech policy space and grow into the leaders of tomorrow. This program connects our Fellows with experienced professionals across science, technology, and policy. Mentors and mentees are matched based on shared interests, goals, and availability, creating thoughtful pairings that foster meaningful relationships. Once matched, mentees lead the way, setting goals, initiating conversations, and driving growth throughout the six-month journey.
Our mentorship program requires only one hour a month of the mentor and mentee’s time, perfect for accommodating busy school and work schedules. The program is structured so every month’s discussion will be centered around a particular theme, and the conversations will dive deep into career development, skill-building, and personal growth. Through their participation, participants will be connected to a wider tech policy community. The program offers benefits to both mentors looking to pay it forward and sharpen their leadership skills, and mentees seeking personalized support to build their career.
We’ve officially kicked off our first cohort with 25 mentors and 41 mentees. We can’t wait to see the insights, breakthroughs, and connections that come from this inaugural round!
This cohort, the Operations Team rolled out Donut Buddies, a re-imagined and more personal twist on Paragon’s office hours. Instead of the typical drop-in Q&A format, this new version of our office hours features two members of the Paragon Organizing Team partnering up to share their career journeys, behind-the-scenes stories, and fun facts about each other. Hosted every other Sunday, Donut Buddies is a fun, low-stakes way to get to know the incredible people behind Paragon.
After just four events, the reception has been incredible, with a noticeable spike in engagement and excitement across the board. In our Donut Buddies so far, we’ve learned some interesting facts about our Organizing Team members, such as who thinks Drake won the rap beef with Kendrick, who sells K-Pop merch on the side, and who was a former volunteer recipe tester for America’s Test Kitchen. We’re so excited to keep the momentum going and see how this new tradition evolves!
Gina Niekus, Annie Beckman, and Gianna Forte chat with the Paragon team about their academic journeys and personal interests.
From the Classroom to State Government, American University Student Adaobi “Myles” Nwatu Applies an Interdisciplinary Lens to Public Technology Projects.
See what our organizing team’s been reading since the last issue.
Electronic Frontier Foundation: Zero Knowledge Proofs Alone Are Not a Digital ID Solution to Protecting User Privacy (Christopher Asma, Executive Director)
Tech Policy Press: Digital Eugenics and the Extinction of Humanity (Sofia Rodriguez, Executive Director)
Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism *link leads to an article about the recommended book* (Kaitlyn Cui, Executive Director)
Noema Mag: The Exploited Labor Behind Artificial Intelligence (Jae Wan Ahn, Policy Director)
Wall Street Journal: Who Pays? AI Boom Sparks Fight Over Soaring Power Costs (Garv Jain, Media Coordinator)
Thanks for reading until the end! Check us out on LinkedIn and Instagram, and subscribe to Substack below to keep up with all things Paragon.
If there are topics you would like covered in future newsletters or have an opportunity for us to publicize, let us know via this feedback form! 📝
— Contributed by Kaitlyn Cui, Garv Jain, Anne Do, and Christopher Asma
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