Center partners with Reagan Foundation

Reagan-Gallegly Fellowships for MPPA students

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Esmeralda Navarro '20 is the most recent of the fellows, who participate in research and experiential learning ranging from local governance to U.S. policy issues related to international human rights.

(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — March 26, 2021) The Elton and Janice Gallegly Center for Public Service and Civic Engagement at California Lutheran University has entered into an educational partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.

Beginning with the academic year 2021-2022, the newly named Reagan-Gallegly Fellowship Program will fund tuition scholarships for students entering the Master of Public Policy and Administration program at Cal Lutheran. Reagan-Gallegly Fellows will be selected from undergraduate candidates who have demonstrated a desire to pursue leadership roles; are exemplary in character and judgment; and are committed to preserving the American ideals of liberty, equality, justice and service. 

The Reagan-Gallegly program is one of few such partnerships in the nation and the only graduate program carrying the name of the 40th president. It is a partnership aligned with the center’s primary mission to support students dedicated to leading lives of public service. In addition to funding MPPA scholarships, the center provides students with civic learning opportunities at the local, state and national level. 

The center also plans to promote community awareness by bringing in speakers from the government and private sector. In addition, the center’s archives will provide scholars access to the legislative papers of former United States Rep. Elton W. Gallegly, whose 13-term career in the House of Representatives spanned four consecutive presidential administrations. 

Since its founding in 2013, the nonprofit and nonpartisan Gallegly Center has chosen its elite and diverse group of fellowship scholars from a variety of backgrounds, including students from underserved and marginalized communities.

The fellows participate in intensive research and experiential learning that spans the spectrum of political engagement, from local governance to U.S. policy issues related to international human rights. The fellows have interned and volunteered for associations ranging from a San Francisco-based health advocacy agency to a nongovernmental organization dedicated to women’s empowerment in Jordan.

As he looks to the future of this new partnership, Gallegly sees a significant expansion of the center’s scope and civic impact.

“Having not only the imprimatur, but also the ongoing consultation of the Reagan Foundation, we’ll be able to broaden our reach nationally, open doors to new internship opportunities, and further grow our endowment,” Gallegly said. “The result will be more resources to enable more Cal Lutheran students to live the life they’ve dreamed of through a career in public service.”

For more information on the program or to apply for a fellowship, click here.

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