Marxe School MPA Alumni Named 2021 Presidential Management Fellows

January 19, 2021

The Presidential Management Fellows Program serves as a gateway for professional success in the field of public service at the federal level, and two Baruch College alumni were recently selected Class of 2021 finalists for this prestigious opportunity.

Elora Tocci and Megan Gavin, who received their Master of Public Administration degrees at the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, will soon have a chance to start their careers in government service. Both are among the 551 finalists chosen from a pool of nearly 7,000 applicants representing 153 academic institutions worldwide.

Since 1977, the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program matches “outstanding graduate students” with U.S. Federal agencies for a fellowship that lasts two years and is “an excellent leadership training ground.”

Meet Marxe School’s PMF Class of 2021 Finalists

Elora Tocci: ‘Honored to Join Barrier-Breaking Women in Government Service’

Elora Tocci (’18) expressed excitement hearing that she became a PMF finalist since it is such a competitive program.

“This is really a dream opportunity,” Tocci said. “I’m honored to be part of such an incredible group of people invested in serving the public interest.”

Tocci is looking forward to an opportunity to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Justice, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“I’ve spent my career up until this point working in nonprofits, and the MPA program at Baruch College opened my eyes to the possibility of working for the government as a way to create positive change,” Tocci mentioned. “I’m also really inspired by all the barrier-breaking women who are serving in politics and government, and am honored to be joining their ranks soon.”

Megan Gavin: Seeking to Contribute and Engage in a Meaningful Role

photo credit: Doug Menuez

Megan Gavin (’20), who received her MPA with a concentration in urban development and sustainability from the Marxe School, was stunned but delighted to be selected as a PMF finalist.

Gavin credits Baruch College and the Marxe School for offering a rich career development program for its students and alumni. For example, after hearing a talk by a Marxe School and PMF alum, Marc Boyd, Gavin was inspired to apply for the program because she understood why this opportunity is so special.

Gavin is open to a Fellowship with a number of federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency because of her deep personal interest in this field, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration since they communicate science to the public.

“Essentially, I am dedicated to service and would be honored to find a place in a federal agency that would allow me to contribute and grow in an engaging and meaningful role,” Gavin mentioned. “Having just finished my capstone, I have only just started to explore the many opportunities available via the PMF Program. I hope to find a dynamic role in an exciting new fellowship position very soon.”

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