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NKU Chase College of Law student, Eric Rodenberg, named to Graduate Fellows Program in state capitol


A student from Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law has gained a front-row seat to legislative action at the Kentucky State Capitol through his participation in a graduate fellowship.

Covington native Eric Rodenberg began work this summer in the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) Graduate Fellows Program.

The program gives select graduate fellows a chance to work with state lawmakers and staff members of the LRC, the staff arm of the Kentucky General Assembly.

Eric Rodenberg

Before law school, Rodenberg worked as a social worker for seven years.

“My time as a social worker gave me a greater appreciation for how policy decisions impacted the children and families that I worked with,” he said. “I applied for the LRC Graduate Fellow Program because I knew it would be an invaluable opportunity to work with state lawmakers and non-partisan LRC staff on a plethora of issues that affect Kentuckians across the Commonwealth.”

Typical duties for graduate fellows include drafting bills, conducting policy research and providing support for legislative committee meetings. A senior LRC staff person is assigned to supervise and mentor each fellow.

LRC recruits graduate students each year from schools across Kentucky through a competitive application and interview process.

“The LRC Graduate Fellows Program is a win-win,” said Tom Hewlett, deputy director for research and communications, who coordinates the program. “We benefit from their perspectives and their enthusiasm. They benefit from one of the most unique fellowship experiences in the state. No other fellowship provides an opportunity to have a part in drafting legislation and for direct involvement in the nuts and bolts of making public policy.”

The LRC Graduate Fellows Program selects master’s-level students enrolled in law schools or other relevant graduate programs such as public administration, public policy or social work at Kentucky universities.

This year’s fellowships will continue through April 2023. Fellows continue taking their graduate classes while also handling their fellowship duties.

Legislative Research Commission


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