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New Senate Fellows Announced

Jerad Ferguson Named One of 18 New Senate Fellows

By News Staff Member
Thursday, December 4, 2008

Sacramento, CA – Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) announced today that Jerad Ferguson was one of 18 individuals chosen to participate in the 2008-09 Senate Fellows Program.

As one of hundreds of applicants for one of 18 Senate Fellowships, Ferguson will be working out of Senator Dutton's office.

Ferguson grew up in San Jose, where he graduated high school in 2004. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History.

While at UC Santa Barbara, Ferguson was Chairman of the campus College Republicans, and was active in many local political campaigns. He also served as an intern at the Reagan Ranch Center, located in Santa Barbara.

As a full-time staff member for Senator Dutton, Ferguson's duties will include researching, developing, and staffing legislation. Additional responsibilities include participating in meetings, as the senator's representative with constituents, school groups, lobbyists and others, on a variety of policy issues.

"I am pleased to add Jerad to my legislative team," Senator Dutton said. "Being a Fellow provides an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the legislative process. Whether your career goals are in the public or private sector, the Senate Fellowship provides valuable training and experience."

Former Senate Fellows include current members of Congress and the California Legislature, judges, and numerous other elected officials and community leaders.

In addition to working on the personal staff, or committee staff, of a State Senator, Fellows participate in academic seminars. In these seminars they interact with senators, senior staff, journalists, lobbyists, and other state government officials. They earn 12 units of graduate credit from Sacramento State for the academic portion of the program.

The Senate Fellowship Program is jointly operated by the California Senate and the Center for California Studies at Sacramento State University. Fellows are paid a monthly salary and receive health, vision and dental benefits.

Anyone who will be at least 20 years of age, and a graduate of a four-year college or university by September 1, 2009, is eligible to apply. There is no preferred major. Individuals with advanced degrees and those in mid-career are encouraged to apply.

Applications for the 2009-10 Fellowship Program are now being accepted. Those interested in applying to the program may request an application by calling Senator Dutton's office at (916) 651-4031 or (909) 466-4180 or download the form from http://www.csus.edu/calst/senate/.