US Presidential Management Fellows Program webinars

The U.S. Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program is a highly selective, two-year fellowship and leadership development program that recruits recent and soon-to-be graduates with advanced degrees. It is the Federal Government’s flagship leadership development program — an excellent way for students with management potential and public service motivation to start a career in the Federal Government and develop into tomorrow’s leaders.

During the month of September 2020, the PMF Program will host an informational webinar every Tuesday for potential applicants of the upcoming PMF Class of 2021.

The PMF Class of 2021 application is scheduled to open at noon (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, September 30, 2020and close at noon (Eastern Time) on Wednesday, October 14, 2020.

The informational webinars will provide a general overview of the PMF Program, details about the 2021 application cycle, and, if time permits, allow for any questions. Please note that several of the webinars have a specific focus related to strategic recruitment goals, but all will cover the basics of the program, the 2021 application cycle, and are open to all majors. The webinars will not be recorded or published.

The five Tuesday informational webinars scheduled are:

1. Tuesday, September 1, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Eastern Time)

• This session is open to all disciplines.
• Register in advance here: https://pmf2021september1.eventbrite.com

2. Tuesday, September 8, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Eastern Time)

• This session is open to all disciplines, and will have a specific focus on Scientific, Technical, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
• Register in advance here: https://pmf2021september8.eventbrite.com

3. Tuesday, September 15, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Eastern Time)

• This session is open to all disciplines, and will have a special focus on Public Health.
• Register in advance here: https://pmf2021september15.eventbrite.com

4. Tuesday, September 22, 2020 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. (Eastern Time)

• This session is open to all disciplines, and will have a specific focus on diversity and inclusion.
• Register in advance here: https://pmf2021september22.eventbrite.com

5. Tuesday, September 29, 2020, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time)

• This session, a day before the 2021 application opens, will serve as an open forum for questions. It will be open to all disciplines, but will not include a presentation.
• Register in advance here: https://pmf2021september29.eventbrite.com

Upon registering, PMF will send a confirmation email prior to the scheduled event. The confirmation email will include additional details for the webinar link and audio instructions.

If you have questions about the webinars or how to connect with a PMF Ambassador, please email pmfapplication@opm.gov.   

A message from the Dean

Dear HWCOE Community,

Along with you, I mourn the tragic loss of the life of George Floyd that occurred in Minneapolis. While this particular horrific murder was captured by video, it is not an isolated event. I have lived in this country for my entire life. Sixty-two years of time after time after time seeing people of color treated as less than full and equal citizens, as less than human. Each publicly acknowledged episode of brutality bringing a cycle of outrage, of pain, of promises to do better. And each time we go back to our homes and jobs and families, and nothing really changes. And then the cycle begins again. After years of seeing the same suffering I must confess that at times I despair that we will ever escape this horrible replay.

In spite of the temptation to give in to despair, we must sustain hope for something better. I am lifted up by Dr. King's observation that "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." Every positive step we take to break this cycle bends the arc toward justice a little bit more. Rather than accept that change is not possible, we must, finally, refuse to accept the unacceptable.

In 1981, there was only one African American faculty member in Stanford’s college of engineering, and he was my PhD advisor. I saw the many ways, some subtle and some not so, that he was treated differently. He and I often talked about the hope that someday things would change, and people of color and women would be represented and welcome in our profession. Since that time, I have been told repeatedly that engineering and computer science simply cannot be diverse because there aren't enough women and people of color interested in the field to really make an impact. To my greatest delight and admiration, our efforts are proving them wrong. Though we still have a very long way to go, I do believe that we have made progress in bringing more diversity to our community. In fact, our college is becoming an example to others that progress can be made. For all of my colleagues who have brought us to this point, you have earned my greatest respect.

Even though we are becoming a more diverse community, we still have much work to do in creating a more inclusive environment. We must chip away at the barrier of exclusion and contribute to the creation of a community where everyone, regardless of color, ethnicity, religion or gender identity, can be represented and achieve to their highest potential. As a community, we must begin by reaffirming our values and respect for human rights and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). It is through our IDEA values and respect for the human rights of all people that we can make a positive difference. The Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering values a diverse and inclusive community. It is integral to success in every area of our college. As a community, we are committed to individual and group empowerment, inclusion, and the elimination of discrimination.

Our commitment must be strategic and long term. Such commitment benefits everyone and requires everyone. We are putting words into action by empowering diversity and inclusion liaisons in each department to facilitate IDEA discussions with faculty, staff, and students. The liaisons meet monthly on the HWCOE IDEA committee led by two Associate Deans, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Nishida, who serve as Campus Diversity Liaisons representatives on the University CDL team led by UF’s Chief Diversity Officer. I encourage each of you to reach out to your department IDEA liaisons to share ideas and to be heard about how to increase inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

Around the country we are seeing expressions of frustration, fear and anger about injustice and inequity in our society. We must listen to them even though the message may be shocking or painful. Real change starts with real listening. It is tempting to lose hope in the possibility for progress, but I have seen the progress that many of you have already fostered in our college. Together we CAN bend the moral arc toward justice.

With hope,
Cammy