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James H. Dunn Memorial Fellowship - Office of Equity

The Dunn Fellowship Program provides bright, highly motivated college graduates a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the operations of state government for one year. The Dunn Fellowship is an opportunity for recent graduates to obtain hands-on experience in state government, while obtaining tools for their future careers.

 

Dunn Fellows are recruited from public and private colleges and universities throughout the nation. Fellows work in various offices under the charge of the Office of the Governor, including (but not limited to):

  • Office of Equity

  • Legislative Affairs

  • Policy 

  • Communications and Digital Media

  • Health and Human Services (under Deputy Governor Grace Hou)

  • Education (under Deputy Governor Martin Torres)

  • Public Safety and Infrastructure (under Deputy Governor Bria Scudder) 

  • Budget and Economy (under Deputy Governor Andy Manar)

  • Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton

  • General Counsel

  • External Affairs 

  • Constituent Affairs

  • Governor's Office of Budget and Management

  • Executive Appointments

  • Federal Affairs 

Interested in applying? Click here to learn more about the Dunn Fellowship Application!

Governor's Office of Equity Dunn Fellowship 

The Dunn Fellow under the Office of Equity is tasked with providing administration, operational, research, and other support for the various staff portfolios to help continue to advance DEIA within the State of Illinois. The Dunn Fellow for the Office of Equity is tasked with, but not limited to:

 Communications 

  • Assist the Communications and Special Projects coordinator with maintaining Office communication tools including the Office of Equity Quarterly Newsletter, Year in Review reports, and monitoring the office email inbox

  • Send communications, scheduling and logistical details for Office programs such as Peer-to-Peer Exchanges and DEIA Lead Coffee Chats
 Agency Engagement

  • Compiling research packets regarding best practices and other information to best support the implementation of DEIA values and practices for various state agencies

  • Organize and track agency engagement by responding to inquiries, updating contacts, etc.
Data Assessment

  • Assist the Data Assessment and Policy Specialist on Illinois Towards Equity communications with agency contacts and tracking

  • Assist the Data Assessment and Policy Specialist on Illinois Towards Equity strategic plan submission and end-of-year report completion, analysis and summary
 Trainings and Education

  • Assist the Deputy Director in the creation and compilation of resources to develop content for statewide trainings

  • Co-facilitate and compile necessary materials for various trainings for state agencies alongside Office of Equity team
 Professional Development

  • Develop and execute a policy project that aligns with the needs of the Office and leverages expertise

  • Attend weekly team meetings and 1:1 for mentorship, supervision, and check-ins on various tasks and projects

  • Engage with networking opportunities with various state agency DEIA leads, Governor's Office staff and beyond to learn about additional professional trajectories

  • Mentorship opportunities with Office of Equity interns, assisting the Deputy Director in internship program oversight and logistic coordination

Office of Equity Dunn Fellow Testimonials

“During my time as a Dunn Fellow, and now as a full-time employee, this career path has deepened my understanding of effective governance, strategic collaboration, and the importance of community involvement. Bringing my skills and experiences from undergrad into the workplace, the GOE has offered a space for me to grow professionally and expand my understanding of equity at a statewide level.”

- Denise Maldonado

Office of Equity Dunn Fellow '24 - '25

"I wasn't sure what to expect when I started my role as a Dunn fellow, but in the few months that I've been with the Office I feel like I've already learned so much about what it truly means to be an inclusive, equitable, and dedicated public servant. This experience this far has only cemented my desire to be a public servant in my future and has allowed me a unique and exciting look into the role that the State plays in advancing equity and accessibility in all its facets."

- Ella Yoo

Office of Equity Dunn Fellow '25 - '26