Education Policy Fellowship Program - The Education Policy and Leadership Center

Program Application

PA Education Policy Fellowship Program Online Application

Overview

The Education Policy Fellowship Program brings together a diverse cohort of professionals from education, human services, government, business, and community organizations. Sponsored by the Education Policy Leadership Center (EPLC) since 1999, there are now more than 700 graduates who are leaders in organizations and programs across the Commonwealth.

Program Goals

Education Policy Fellows:

develop a broadened understanding of the public policy and the various aspects of education policy
enhance their communication, decision making, and public policy advocacy skills
strengthen their capacity for leadership
expand their network of professional colleagues

Applicant Qualifications

Education Policy Fellow Program applicants have:

A full-time professional position and substantive work experience
A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent
The endorsement and financial support of their employer or another sponsoring organization
A commitment to personal and professional learning

Program Features

The cohort meets virtually and in-person from September through May:

Participate in a two-day opening session (September)
Participate in 14 virtual sessions (2.5 hours each) approximately twice a month from November through May.
Participate in a virtual two-day Regional Leadership Forum (2.0 hours per day).
Participate in Days-in-the-Capitol in Washington DC (April) and Harrisburg (May).
Complete independent policy research as a member of a small team to develop a policy proposal.
Share your experience and knowledge with other Fellows through presentations, discussions with guests and in small group discussions, and in team projects.

Benefits to You and Your Organization

Access to a premier professional learning program with a proven track record
Better informed, more skillful employees
Employees who are ready to assume more leadership responsibilities
Expanded networks that enhance the organization’s ability to access key leaders and decision makers who shape policy on behalf of children and youth

2025-2026 Program Schedule

You can find the 2025-2026 schedule here.

Program Facilitators

Amy C. Morton – EPLC Executive Director and former classroom teacher; district administrator; intermediate unit executive director; PDE bureau director, K-12 deputy secretary, and chief of staff; and state director and system design specialist for the National Center on Education and the Economy

Mark DiRocco – former executive director of the PA Association of School Administrators, superintendent of schools, assistant superintendent, middle school and high school principal, and adjunct professor; Mark was named Pennsylvania’s Superintendent of the Year in 2016

Guest Lecturer: Ron Cowell – Senior Fellow and Founder of EPLC, former member of the PA House of Representatives, chair of the House Education Committee, and member of the PA State Board of Education

Tuition

The fee for the program is $2,475 for 2025-2026. Participants are responsible for their own travel costs for in-person sessions.

Continuing Education Credit Application Process

Participants have the option of earning 3 graduate credits from Shippensburg University which are approved for 90 hours of Act 45/48 credit. EPLC separately invoices those seeking credit a fee of $275 for those who elect this option.

Complete the initial application found at this link
If your initial application is accepted, you will receive a link to a form to be completed by your employer/sponsor to demonstrate support for your application in terms of the time commitment and the financial obligation
Upon receipt of your acceptance letter, you will be asked to provide a photo (headshot) and short bio to be shared with fellow cohort members.
Invoices for tuition are expected to be paid by August 31 prior to the beginning of the program.

Attendance Requirement

All Fellows are expected to attend all sessions. During virtual sessions, you are expected to keep your camera on (with exceptions for specific situations). Of course, emergencies may arise, and your need to miss a session can be accommodated when necessary.

Program Brochure

Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship Program Brochure (PDF link)

For More Information

Contact Amy C. Morton, EPLC Executive Director, morton@eplc.org or 717-253-2815 (cell)