Nine graduate students and one alumnus from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers-New Brunswick have been selected as 2026 Eagleton Fellows, joining a cohort of master’s, doctoral, and advanced degree students from across Rutgers University. The Eagleton Graduate Fellows Program, established in 1956 at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, is designed to enhance students’ understanding of government, American politics, policy, and advocacy through an interdisciplinary certificate program.
The program provides participants with professional skills and networking opportunities that they can apply within their fields of study. Students from various academic backgrounds—such as public policy, planning, health sciences, law, social work, and economics—are part of this year’s group.
The Bloustein graduate students selected are Molly Basdeo Mountjoy (Ph.D. candidate), Alaina Colleen Dixon (public policy), Emily Evers (dual public policy/city and regional planning), Halleigh Johnston (city and regional planning), Kelline Muo (public policy), Jake Papa (public policy), Freyja Quinn (public policy), Ashley Rowley (city and regional planning), Larry Traylor (public policy), along with alumnus Pat Walsh.
Molly Basdeo Mountjoy is focused on issues such as racial justice and educational equity in New Jersey schools. She serves on the school’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee and has worked with multiple education advocacy groups. “She is excited to continue serving New Jersey through the Governor’s Executive Award,” according to the release.
Alaina Colleen Dixon has experience researching employee ownership models to address workplace inequalities. She stated her career goal: “to write policy recommendations that effectively address the most pressing issues in our society.” She is a recipient of the Henry J. Raimondo Legislative Award.
Emily Evers has contributed to food security initiatives in New Jersey through internships with nonprofit organizations and state agencies. “Emily was honored to receive the Christiana R. Foglio Endowed Annual Graduate Fellowship in Planning and the Progress of Ideas Scholarship,” according to the announcement.
Halleigh Johnston’s work focuses on urban planning for public health improvements. She is interning for Hudson County’s Vision Zero initiative aimed at reducing traffic fatalities: “Halleigh is honored to receive the Governor’s Executive Award and participate as an Eagleton Fellow.”
Kelline Muo brings expertise in agricultural economics from Kenya. He aims to support sustainable food systems using evidence-based research: “Kelline received the Governor’s Executive Award for his Eagleton Graduate Fellowship.”
Jake Papa works on election data collection for New Jersey ballot design history while supporting local sustainability initiatives through county-level internships: “Jake received the Governor’s Executive Award.”
Freyja Quinn has interned with NASA's Science Mission Directorate through a university program supporting federal agency engagement: “She is excited and honored to be part of this year’s cohort.”
Ashley Rowley specializes in transportation planning with interests in renewable energy projects nationwide: “She is honored to receive the Harold and Reba Martin Award.”
Larry Traylor serves as a confidential aide in Mercer County government while holding leadership roles in youth political organizations statewide: “Larry received the Governor’s Executive Award for the Eagleton Graduate Fellowship cohort.”
Pat Walsh works as an associate fiscal analyst at New Jersey's Office of Legislative Services while pursuing a law degree at Rutgers Law School-Newark. He supports both houses of the legislature with budget analysis expertise: “Patrick is honored to be a recipient of the Harold and Reba Martin Award through the Eagleton Graduate Fellowship Program.”
For more information about this fellowship program or its offerings, visit eagleton.rutgers.edu/grad-fellowships.
