MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. — Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn has launched a new civic leadership fellowship program aimed at encouraging graduate students to pursue careers in government and public service.
The Aura K. Dunn Civic Leadership Fellowship will provide participants with firsthand exposure to government operations through a six-month rotational shadowing program involving women serving in leadership positions at the state, county and municipal levels.
According to Dunn, the initiative was created to inspire future leaders while reinforcing the importance of public service.
“Last week, I launched the Aura K. Dunn Civic Leadership Fellowship to inspire the next generation to enter government, and more importantly, to restore the dignity of public service as a profession,” Dunn said.
The fellowship will allow selected students to observe executive leadership, legislative deliberations and the daily responsibilities involved in public administration.
“This fellowship gives a promising graduate student the opportunity to observe governance firsthand by shadowing senior women serving in leadership roles across state, county, and municipal government,” Dunn said.
“Over six months, through a structured rotational experience, fellows will shadow women in executive positions and gain meaningful exposure to legislative deliberations, executive decision-making, and the day-to-day work of public administration.”
Dunn said the fellowship is designed not only as an educational opportunity for students, but also as a broader investment in future civic leadership.
“This fellowship is not just an investment in one student,” Dunn said. “It is an investment in the future of our state, our institutions, and our shared belief that government can still be a force for good. It is a promise: that we will continue to lift as we climb, to widen the path for those who follow, and to honor the women who paved the way before us.”
The inaugural event included participation from Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi, Morris County Administrator Deena Leary and Mendham Township Mayor Sarah Neibart, who will serve as the first mentors and leadership participants in the program.
Dunn thanked community leaders and supporters who attended the launch event and said she looks forward to expanding the initiative in the coming years.
