This Public Policy Fellows program is central to the Reilly Center’s mission – to elevate our level of public discourse and generate dialogue about new ideas and information.

The program launched in 2001, with the goal of informing Louisiana’s local academic communities and political leaders on current public policy issues. To this end, the program brought in internationally recognized public policy experts whose research focused on relevant current issues. Fellows typically spent three to five days on campus and in the local community.

• Within the university setting, participants lectured, worked with students and faculty on research, and engaged with university officials in a variety of ways ranging from debate and exchange of ideas to guidance on specific projects.
• Within communities, fellows met with business leaders, organization directors, and public officials on contemporary issues impacting Louisiana citizens and public policy.
• They also gave at least one public lecture, and their visits concluded with the publication and subsequent availability of a paper.