Who We Are
We are a committed cadre of professionals dedicated to connecting science with policy and fostering a network of science and engineering leaders who develop and execute solutions to societal challenges. The STPF network is a singular body whose collective power can be leveraged for the good of all people, everywhere.
50 Years of STPF History
Seven fellows on Capitol Hill ushered in the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF) program back in 1973. Today, AAAS places more than 250 fellows each year across all branches of federal government, and our alumni body is over 4,000 strong.
Each year, the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program adds to a growing corps nearly 4,000 strong of policy-savvy leaders working across academia, government, nonprofits, and industry to serve the nation and citizens around the world.
Our Core Values
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Culture
We actively promote a culture of openness that supports diversity, and is inclusive in every way. We are committed to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to, and benefit from, science and engineering. We support efforts to diversify the science and technology workforce and amplify underrepresented and marginalized voices within STEM.
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Collaboration
STPF alumni fellows know that the only way to hone and scale a good idea or policy is through collaboration. We foster a culture of alumni and friends who champion and inspire lifelong learning and growth through building bridges.
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Advancement
We are committed to inspiring innovation in science policy and the ongoing exploration of new skills, interests and ambitions. We are committed to providing interactions and experiences that align with the needs of STPF alumni and inspire personal and professional growth through active engagement and service.
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Generosity
Prospective, current and alumni fellows recognize the generosity in the alumni network. Alumni fellows support, advocate for, mentor and share, with each other and are open to bringing their experience to the program and to science policy initiatives.
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Exceptional Experience
Alumni fellows know that “science policy” is not always a recognized or even welcomed concept. They also remember the rigors of the application process and what it takes to successfully complete the fellowship. It is the exceptional nature of this experience and the steadfast commitment to ensuring policy is informed by science that unites alumni fellows across decades, disciplines, cohorts, and fellowship placements.
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Lifelong Ambassadors
Alumni fellows are lifelong ambassadors for AAAS, partner societies and the STPF program, helping to ensure an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible program into the future.
Our Team
Rashada Alexander
Our
Director
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Rashada Alexander provides strategic leadership for the AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships program (STPF). With a team of 20 staff and a $16+ million-dollar annual budget, she administers programming and professional development for more than 250 fellows annually in the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the U.S. government. As an STPF alum, she puts her experience to good use in leading the next evolution of the program to ensure it continues to excel in connecting scientific expertise with policymaking.
She joins AAAS from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR), where she optimized and streamlined operations, and assessed the impact of FFAR’s research funding. Before that, she was a program director in the Division of Research Capacity Building at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Two of her 10 years at NIH were as an STPF fellow.
Alexander earned her Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Kentucky. She is also a proud alum of Youngstown State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.
She resides in the DC metro area with her husband, and enjoys action movies of questionable quality, doing silly dances even if people are watching, and gadgetry.
Olga Francois
Senior Project
Director
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Olga Francois oversees strategy, planning and implementation of outreach and communications, marketing and recruitment, social media activities, and alumni engagement for the S&T Policy Fellowships. Olga manages five staff and assists the director with strategic planning, developing and launching new initiatives, and formulating policy for communications, marketing, and online systems.
She has over 20 teaching experience in higher education and joined AAAS in 2011, following ten years at the Center for Intellectual Property at the University of Maryland Global Campus, the last six of those serving as assistant director. There she conceptualized and implemented membership and professional development programs, and managed marketing and outreach activities.
Jessica Soule
Director of Alumni
Engagement
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reviously the Recruitment & Marketing Director for the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships (STPF), Jessica Soule is now the Director of Alumni Engagement for STPF.
Prior to arriving at AAAS, she oversaw membership, events and programming for seven years at the National Council for Science and the Environment. Before that, she managed programming in a variety of environmental and scientific nonprofit organizations.
Jessica holds an M.A. in urban and environmental policy and planning from Tufts University, and a B.S. in biology from Boston College. She enjoys running, reading and camping adventures.
Katherine Yau
Alumni Engagement and Communications
Associate
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As communications associate for alumni engagement, Katherine is a critical support for STPF outreach, communications and marketing functions. She works to anticipate and fulfill the information needs of core audiences – from fellows and alumni to partner societies and government agencies. Conducting communications research, building web pages and publishing blogs and podcasts are among her many responsibilities.
Katherine graduated with a B.S. in marketing and management from the University of Maryland, College Park. In her free time, she loves to try new coffee shops and take large amounts of photos of her dog.
