A lecturer at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Dr. Michael DeLor teaches about federal and state government. Dr. Michael DeLor stays current with membership in the American Political Science Association (ASPA), which was founded in 1903 and boasts more than 11,000 members in over 100 countries. One of the APSA’s keystone offerings is the Congressional Fellowship Program.
APSA’s leadership was aware the public knew little or nothing about how the U. S. Congress does business. To redress this lack, it established the fellowship program in 1953. It placed journalists and nascent political scientists on congressional staffs, so they could later reveal the inner workings of the legislative process to the people. Later this group was expanded to include other government employees, lawyers, teachers, parliamentarians, and other interested parties.
Participants benefit in several ways. Over the course of one year, they learn how policy is made, gain direction for their research, enhance their teaching, and build their professional and social networks. In addition, they perform valuable public service and get ringside seats to important events.
