ST. PAUL –With a focus on attracting new talent to public service and expanding the State of Minnesota’s workforce, a new cohort of Star of the North Fellows have joined state agencies. From supporting families with young children to providing better assistance to veterans, these 12 individuals will play an integral role in shaping public policy.

“Over the last five years, The Star of North Fellowship program has grown into a pipeline for bringing new voices into our agencies,” Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner Myron Frans said. “These incredible men and women are the next generation of leaders in state government, and it is exciting to have them join us in building a better Minnesota.”  

The 2018-2019 Star of the North Fellows are: 

• Ahsan Butt — Minnesota Department of Human Services, Children and Family Services 
• Fangzhou Chen — Minnesota Department of Human Services, Children and Family Services, Child Care Assistance 
• Luke Gagnon — Minnesota Department of Human Services, Benefits Recovery Section 
• Eamonn Gallagher — Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations 
• Samantha Holte — Minnesota Department of Human Services, Healthcare Administration 
• Evan Iacoboni — Minnesota Department of Transportation, Metro District 
• Sloan Kessler – Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Homeless Veterans Program 
• Eric Netterlund — Minnesota Department of Revenue, Property Tax Division 
• Graciela O’Gorman Smith — Minnesota Department of Human Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division 
• Elizabeth Stein — Minnesota Department of Human Services, Community Relations 
• Ana Westervelt — Minnesota Department of Human Services, Aging and Adult Services 
• Elizabeth Ziebarth — Minnesota Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax

 
This years’ fellows are the fifth cohort to come through the program. To be considered for a fellowship, applicants go through a competitive process and must demonstrate an interest in a career in public service and have obtained an advanced degree. Fellows are placed at an agency that best fits their education and experience for yearlong appointments. 

In addition to helping fellows gain public service experience, the Star of the North Fellowship program is a crucial piece in the state’s efforts to increase diversity and inclusion and address an aging workforce. The Dayton-Smith Administration has set a goal of having people of color comprise 20 percent of the state’s workers by 2019. The Star of the North Fellowship program serves as a pipeline for hiring the fellows into full time, permanent positions once the program ends. Of the nine fellows who participated in the 2017-2018 cohort, six have been hired into full time permanent positions with the state. 

For more information on future internship or fellowship opportunities with the State of Minnesota, visit the MN Careers website. 

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Contact: Keith Hovis, Communications Director
Phone: 651-259-3666 
Email: keith.hovis@state.mn.us