For Abbey Garvin, a junior public policy major in the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), the connection between classroom learning and real-world policy work is already taking shape.
This semester, she is taking the next step on the national stage as a 2026 Roosevelt in Washington Fellow. Granted by the New York City think tank the Roosevelt Institute, the fellowship is a competitive program that prepares undergraduate students for careers in public service and policymaking.
Garvin, who will earn her Bachelor of Public Policy with concentrations in Slovak Studies and Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies, came to Pittsburgh planning to study political science. It was only after she began taking courses through SPIA that she was able to more clearly define her academic path and career goals.
“I knew public policy was right for me after taking Dr. Jeremy Weber’s policy analysis course,” she said. “It was challenging, engaging, and very hands-on. Like many professors in SPIA, he was involved and passionate about teaching students the fundamental skills needed to create meaningful change. Beyond that, every class I’ve taken is different, so it’s easy to stay engaged and curious.”
SPIA courses including Law, Politics, and Policy with Dr. Lisa Nelson and Global Policy with Dr. So Jin Lee further shaped her interests and confirmed her desire to pursue a career at the intersection of legal systems and policymaking. Faculty mentorship also played a key role in connecting her to opportunities beyond the classroom—including the fellowship that will take her to Washington, D.C., later this year.
“I’ve always dreamed of going to law school,” she said. “I know I want to do something that serves my community regardless of where I end up. My goal for this summer has been to better understand my professional passions and strengths, and I think the Roosevelt in Washington fellowship is the perfect opportunity to do that.”
The Roosevelt in Washington (RIW) program is a six-month career and professional development experience designed to immerse students in the policy and advocacy work shaping discussions in Washington, D.C. The program begins with a virtual component in the spring, followed by an eight-week, full-time summer internship in the nation’s capital. Through mentorship, weekly seminars, and opportunities to engage with peers, alumni, and policy leaders, fellows gain a clearer understanding of how research, organizing, and advocacy intersect—and where they can make an impact.
“This fellowship stood out to me because I deeply value the work that the network is doing, and I’ve always wanted experience working with policy in Washington,” she said. “I’m most excited about being in D.C. and working with peers who are passionate about serving their communities and advancing policy. We also have great staff advising and guiding us through the process.”
Garvin will graduate next year as part of the first class of students to earn a BA in Public Policy at Pitt. Outside the classroom, she is a member of the Alpha Delta Pi Alphia Iota Chapter and the Pitt Slovak Club. She also serves as a youth mentor with the Pittsburgh chapter of HealthCorps, supporting high school teens in developing skills that promote physical, mental, and social wellbeing.
Interested students can explore admission requirements and a detailed plan of study for the BA in Public Policy on our website, or contact Recruitment and Admissions Manager Patty Jackson at pmj29@pitt.edu for additional information.