Kelley Sternhagen ’11 with Emily Chiswick-Patterson ’05, a former PP55 fellow and current AlumniCorps volunteer.

During the summer of 2011-12, six recent Princeton graduates began Princeton Project 55 Fellowships in the Bay Area. The Project 55 Fellowship Program is one of a number of initiatives Princeton AlumniCorps offers to for alumni of all ages to put their passions to work in the public interest. Through year-long paid fellowships, young Princeton alumni get professional experience and exposure to a wide range of fields such as community development, education, law and justice, health and medicine and youth services.

Q. Tell us briefly about the organization you are working for and the work that you are doing there. 

KS. The organization I am working for is called the KIPP Foundation. KIPP is a national network of charter schools that aims to prepare its students for success in college and life by recruiting and training school leaders and providing other support—professional development, legal advice, federal grant compliance, etc.—to schools within its network. My role is on the development team, which is responsible for raising the operating budget needed to carry out these activities.

Q. What impact do you think you’ve made on the KIPP Foundation and its mission through your fellowship so far?

KS. When the Development team isn’t noticed, it means we’re doing our jobs well-- we’re here to make sure the program areas of the organization have the financial support they need.   KIPP teachers and school leaders, for example, are amazing and in many ways can be described as having the ‘hero’ roles. In order for them to do their day-to-day activities, however, they need people in the background empowering them. My role in the development team enables them to do their jobs to the best of their ability and without having to worry about these other factors.

Q.    Has there been any challenging moments?

KS. Most of the challenging moments are not related to my fellowship role, but rather the transition from college to working life. In San Francisco, I have had to take a proactive role in networking with other alumni. Many of the challenges have involved making new friends and re-establishing my new life outside of work. My role and work with the KIPP Foundation has actually been my rock during this transition.

Q.    What has been the most rewarding element?

KS. As part of the development team I’ve been involved in a couple of fantastic team achievements, including securing major foundation grants and helping to organize the annual KIPP School Summit in Nashville. The summit was attended by about 2,200 teachers and school leaders. From a development standpoint this was great as it allowed KIPP to reach out to a number of potential investors and partners.

 On a personal level, the annual summit was really rewarding in that it gave me the chance to meet some of the KIPPsters, including a number that had graduated college. I’ve worked both with homeless youth and in homelessness prevention before, and the differences between the children I interacted with in those roles and our KIPPsters is like night and day, despite the fact that they’re coming from exactly the same demographic. Just seeing the difference that this program makes on the ground is really powerful.

Q.    How has your experience been with the local Princeton alumni community?

KS. I connect with Princeton alumni through a number of channels.  I actually live with a fellow who is interning at the UCSF Breast Care Center. Because she’s part of a large cohort, their connection is quite strong. It’s been cool to meet them.

 Princeton AlumniCorps also organizes social events with the Stanford and Harvard fellowship programs, which provides opportunities for us to meet as a group. 

 The PCNC has organized a number of mixers and get-togethers for alumni in the area. It’s been an interesting opportunity to meet alumni from a range of school years. It’s actually a really cool community.

Q.    Would you recommend your PP55 experience to other Princeton Alumni?

KS. Absolutely! The program is a really valuable professional development opportunity and a chance to build important workplace skills.  It’s also a really good chance for recent graduates to be able to step back and take stock – to work out what it is that they really want to be doing with their lives and future careers. For example, prior to the program I had my mind set on going into law school next year – now I am beginning to rethink whether a JD is the best path to reach my goals.  

Q.    What do you miss most about Princeton?

KS. Definitely the ease of access to a large social network – while it’s great to get together with Princeton alumni in the area, work and distance means that we have to put more effort into seeing each other than in college, where everyone is located within easy walking distance on campus!

In addition to the Project 55 Fellowship Program, AlumniCorps’ two new programs – Emerging Leaders and Community Volunteers – provide opportunities for alumni of all ages to put their passions to work in the public interest. To learn more, please visit www.alumnicorps.org.