Programs for Scholars

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Programs offered by Friends of the Truman Foundation

Speaking with Friends

Speaking with Friends is a monthly salon series. From authors to community leaders, to CEOs of major private companies Speaking With Friends provides a meaningful dialogue and discussion with people of interest in our network. Speaking with Friends events have featured: 

  • Georgetown Professor Dr. Marcia Chatelain (IL 00) to discuss her latest book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America
  • Maryam Banikarim (CA 87), Head of Marketing at Nextdoor
  • Adair Ford Boroughs (SC 01), candidate for U.S. Congress 
  • David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of The Carlyle Group
  • Dr. Ty Seidule, Chamberlain Fellow at Hamilton College
  • Michael Tubbs (CA 11), Former Mayor of Stockton, California 
  • Anthony Shop (MO 04), CEO of Social Driver

Special Events

Friends offers special events for our network from salon dinners, to panel discussions, to large-scale events that bring together public servants from all walks of life. Special events have included:

  • A Conversation on American Radicalism, Political Violence, and National Security with CPOST
  • Panels on COVID-19 with administration officials, healthcare providers, community activists, and religious leaders
  • Fireside Chat with Secretary Madeleine Albright to discuss her latest book Hell and Other Destinations and her thoughts on public service
  • Fireside Chat with former Education Secretary John B. King, Jr. (NJ 95) to discuss race and justice in the 21st century

Reading with Friends

Reading with Friends is a monthly virtual book club. Hosted concurrently around the world, small groups of Friends meet to discuss the book of the month. We alternate between fiction and nonfiction books and circulate optional discussion questions for groups to use as a launching point for their conversations. Reading with Friends events have featured: 

  • Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
  • Hell and Other Destinations by Secretary Madeleine Albright
  • On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
  • Our Time is Now: Power, Purpose, and the Fight for a Fair America by Stacey Abrams (MS 94)
  • Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
  • Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
  • Land of Big Numbers by Te-Ping Chen (CA 06)

Programs offered by the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

Truman Scholars Leadership Week

All newly selected Truman Scholars are welcomed into the Truman community at Missouri, where they meet one another and learn more about potential paths in public service. Scholars participate in seminars and workshops with distinguished Truman Scholars and other public service leaders, a policy analysis project, a graduate school and career fair, and community service efforts. The week culminates in a special celebration and awards ceremony at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum.

Summer Institute

Immediately after college graduation, Scholars can participate in a nine-week long Summer Institute in Washington, D.C.  The Foundation arranges internships with government agencies and nonprofit organizations, hosts seminars and workshops, meetings with Washington policymakers and established Truman Scholars, and opportunities for community building among public service leaders.

Housing and living stipends are provided to all Scholars so that all Scholars can participate, regardless of financial background.

Truman-Albright Fellowship

After Summer Institute, Scholars may elect to remain in Washington, D.C. for a full year via the Truman-Albright Fellows Program.  Scholars are placed in public service jobs – most with the federal government – while participating in a graduate-level public policy discussion seminars and mentoring opportunities. In 2020, Truman-Albright positions included opportunities at the U.S. Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, and Department of Transportation.

Friends of the Truman Foundation thanks Secretary Madeleine Albright and the MAAK Foundation for their generous support of the Truman-Albright Fellowship.

Democracy Fellows

Inaugurated in 2013, the Democracy Fellows program is for Truman Scholars interested in pursuing electoral politics. Sessions are led by senior Truman Scholars with experience in electoral politics.

Subjects discussed include the motivations for serving, honoring one’s personal values and professional values, working with party leaders, cultivating donors and raising money, navigating election law, building a campaign apparatus, attracting allies and building coalitions, and balancing personal life with public office.

The program is designed so that participants: (1) develop knowledge of the key issues and challenges associated with the electoral process, (2) build community among one another — Truman Scholars actively planning to pursue electoral politics, and (3) become better prepared to succeed in the electoral arena not merely by winning a campaign, but by effecting meaningful change via our democratic process and institutions.

Governance Fellows

Inaugurated in 2014, the Governance Fellows Program is for Truman Scholars interested in working at a senior level in the federal executive branch.

Some of the subjects to be discussed include motivations for serving, honoring one’s personal and professional values, paths to political appointment, the Senior Executive Service, navigating the federal personnel system, moving from campaigns to employment, and shifting roles within or across agencies.

The program is designed so that participants: (1) develop knowledge of the key issues and challenges associated with senior executive service, (2) build community among one another — Truman Scholars interested in working at high levels in the executive branch, and (3) become better prepared to succeed as managers and leaders in the federal executive branch.