Two UR Students Selected for Governor's Fellow Program

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — Two University of Richmond students are participating in Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s 2021 Governor’s Fellows Program.

Abby Admete and Nathan Tatum were two of 25 Virginia students selected for this year’s program, which offers rising college seniors, recent graduates, and graduate students an opportunity to gain experience working in a division of the Office of the Governor for the summer. Through a variety of projects, fellows gain leadership skills and a deeper understanding of decision-making at the highest level of Virginia’s executive branch.

Abby Admete, a rising senior and political science major, will be assigned to the office of First Lady Pamela Northam. Admete is originally from Ethiopia but immigrated to Alexandria, Virginia, in the early 2000s with her family. She will work with the First Lady’s executive assistant and chief of staff attending local and regional events and completing event briefs.

“I get the opportunity to see how government at the state level functions and operates day to day,” said Admete, who has interned in the Alexandria City Mayor’s Office and with U.S. Senator Tim Kaine. “I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to gain the plethora of experiences that I’ve had, and my current fellowship at the Governor’s Office is another amazing learning opportunity.” 

Nathan Tatum, a 2021 graduate from Port Richey, Florida, will work in the Governor’s Policy Office. Tatum majored in philosophy, politics, economics, and law, with a concentration in politics, and minored in environmental studies and law and the liberal arts. Tatum, a first-generation college student, plans to pursue a career combining law and public policy. He will start at Georgetown Law in the fall.

“I'll be working on a variety of tasks and projects, such as researching various state policy issues and reforms, preparing memos, and delivering briefs to the Governor's staff,” said Tatum. “Working in the Governor's Policy Office will give me the opportunity to continue learning more about state government while engaging with various policy issues and reforms impacting Virginia. I can't think of a better way to spend my summer.”

For the first time in the program’s history, all fellows will receive a $3,600 stipend as part of a commitment to remove barriers for opportunity.

“We are thrilled to welcome this new class of Fellows to the Governor’s Office and the unique perspectives, energy, and experiences that each one of them brings to our Administration,” said Governor Northam. “Our Commonwealth is fortunate to have these talented young Virginians serving in state government and I look forward to their contributions as we continue working to build a stronger, fairer, and more inclusive Virginia.” 

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