Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Jeremy Kennedy
Spring 2007 Archer Fellow
Internship: Human Rights Campaign
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
B.A. Biology; August 2007
Career
Director of Advocacy at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party - previous
Spring 2007 Archer Fellow
Internship: Human Rights Campaign
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas
B.A. Biology; August 2007
Career
Director of Advocacy at Planned Parenthood of Northern New England
Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party - previous
“Living in a house with the other Fellows taught me how to value differences and appreciate a wide variety of viewpoints. The Archer Fellowship Program experience changed my life, and I am a better person because of it."
Q & A with Jeremy
Please tell us more about your current position.
I manage a team of four organizers who execute grassroots work with volunteers for both state and federal advocacy for reproductive health and Planned Parenthood. I also lobby on bills at the state level and coordinate legislative strategy: both passing "good" bills and fighting against "bad" bills.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
At the Human Rights Campaign, I served as intern for the President of the organization. This meant a lot of answering phones, drafting letters, making copies and general administrative work. But I also got to do interesting projects like writing a speech for Cindy Lauper, staffing a press conference with Senator Ted Kennedy when the Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Bill was passed, and attending the winter Democratic National Committee (DNC) meeting with all of the Democratic presidential candidates that year.
What has been your general career path?
After graduation, I immediately went to work on Hillary Clinton's first presidential campaign. Over the last 10 years I have worked on many campaigns in many states across the country, doing everything from fundraising, to field work, to communications, to campaign management. Most of my work has been centered on the LGBT movement and the Democratic Party. After six years of working for candidate campaigns and being the Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party, I am very pleased to be expanding my horizons working in reproductive justice.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
I would not have had the decade-long career I have now if it was not for the Archer Fellowship Program. The doors opened and the skills taught by the program set my current course, and I am very pleased. I feel fulfilled and like what I do for a living. I believe that what I do makes a real difference in people's lives.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The Archer Fellowship Program opened the door to my career path. At the time, I was just doing it for fun before going to medical school, but little did I know that the experience would teach me so much about myself and ignite my passion for politics and creating change in the world. I realized that my desire to help people live their best lives through providing medical care would have been challenging because there was a great need for better health policy in our country. In order to pass good policy, we needed to elect public officials who would champion these policies. Thus, my career as an advocate and campaign strategist was realized through my experience as an Archer Fellow. The connections and networks I built through the Archer Fellowship Program have been invaluable and the knowledge I gained from the experience-based learning in D.C. was unparalleled.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
I value being counted among a diverse group of talented individuals who are changing the world in a diverse array of fields. Living in a house with the other Fellows taught me how to value differences and appreciate a wide variety of viewpoints. The Archer Fellowship Program experience changed my life, and I am a better person because of it.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
My favorite experience was attending a Supreme Court (SCOTUS) hearing. The Archer Fellows’ house was right around the corner from the SCOTUS. I often went and sat on the steps outside just to be inspired. The Court continues to be one of my favorite institutions in our country. One morning, I stood in line for two hours to get a seat in the courtroom. I finally made it in and got to listen to an entire case! It was fascinating, even though it was an interstate commerce case dealing with trash. I still loved every minute of it and cherish that experience to this day.
Please tell us more about your current position.
I manage a team of four organizers who execute grassroots work with volunteers for both state and federal advocacy for reproductive health and Planned Parenthood. I also lobby on bills at the state level and coordinate legislative strategy: both passing "good" bills and fighting against "bad" bills.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
At the Human Rights Campaign, I served as intern for the President of the organization. This meant a lot of answering phones, drafting letters, making copies and general administrative work. But I also got to do interesting projects like writing a speech for Cindy Lauper, staffing a press conference with Senator Ted Kennedy when the Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Bill was passed, and attending the winter Democratic National Committee (DNC) meeting with all of the Democratic presidential candidates that year.
What has been your general career path?
After graduation, I immediately went to work on Hillary Clinton's first presidential campaign. Over the last 10 years I have worked on many campaigns in many states across the country, doing everything from fundraising, to field work, to communications, to campaign management. Most of my work has been centered on the LGBT movement and the Democratic Party. After six years of working for candidate campaigns and being the Executive Director of the Maine Democratic Party, I am very pleased to be expanding my horizons working in reproductive justice.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
I would not have had the decade-long career I have now if it was not for the Archer Fellowship Program. The doors opened and the skills taught by the program set my current course, and I am very pleased. I feel fulfilled and like what I do for a living. I believe that what I do makes a real difference in people's lives.
What did you value the most about your Archer Fellowship Program experience?
The Archer Fellowship Program opened the door to my career path. At the time, I was just doing it for fun before going to medical school, but little did I know that the experience would teach me so much about myself and ignite my passion for politics and creating change in the world. I realized that my desire to help people live their best lives through providing medical care would have been challenging because there was a great need for better health policy in our country. In order to pass good policy, we needed to elect public officials who would champion these policies. Thus, my career as an advocate and campaign strategist was realized through my experience as an Archer Fellow. The connections and networks I built through the Archer Fellowship Program have been invaluable and the knowledge I gained from the experience-based learning in D.C. was unparalleled.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
I value being counted among a diverse group of talented individuals who are changing the world in a diverse array of fields. Living in a house with the other Fellows taught me how to value differences and appreciate a wide variety of viewpoints. The Archer Fellowship Program experience changed my life, and I am a better person because of it.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
My favorite experience was attending a Supreme Court (SCOTUS) hearing. The Archer Fellows’ house was right around the corner from the SCOTUS. I often went and sat on the steps outside just to be inspired. The Court continues to be one of my favorite institutions in our country. One morning, I stood in line for two hours to get a seat in the courtroom. I finally made it in and got to listen to an entire case! It was fascinating, even though it was an interstate commerce case dealing with trash. I still loved every minute of it and cherish that experience to this day.
