Rodel Congressional Leadership Fellowship

A groundbreaking program for rising leaders in Congress.

Rodel Congressional Leadership Fellowship

The Institute’s newest program is the Rodel Congressional Leadership Fellowship. Launching in 2026, the program is a new effort to help members of Congress build relationships across the aisle, explore enduring values, strengthen democracy, and find the common ground necessary to move our country forward.

The program will bring together 16-20 Members of Congress, divided equally between the two political parties, for a series of three multi-day seminars held over a one-year period. The seminars will focus on discussion of classic works and contemporary scholarship on political philosophy, ethics, leadership, and Congressional history. These sessions will also include practical workshops led by leadership experts, constitutional scholars, and Congressional historians.

Our goal for the Congressional Leadership Fellowship is to help members develop greater understanding across the partisan divide, deepen trust, built relationships, and reaffirm our shared commitment to democracy and our constitutional republic.

For more information, please contact Mark O’Neil.

Our Programs

Rodel Rhode Island

Rodel Washington

Rodel gathered 22 state and local-level elected officials from across the state. The cohort gathered three times between April 2023 and December 2023. Working with leading scholars as moderators, the Fellows read and discussed classic texts dealing with ethical values, democratic principles, and wise and effective leadership.

Rodel Washington selected a cohort of 18 elected officials. The group gathered for three multi-day seminars between December 2022 and December 2023 to consider their role as leaders and read and discuss texts such as the Declaration of Independence, George Washington’s Farewell Address, John Winthrop’s City upon a Hill, and Federalist No. 10.

Our Fellows

What Our People Say About Us

The most impactful aspect of this experience was to recognize our place in and responsibility to American democracy. We have a tendency to become complacent and follow a 'business as usual' model in our daily work. Rodel is a reminder of the temporary opportunity I have to lead well. I left Rodel eager to model prudence and be more visible in the community as a fair, engaged leader.

Natalie WimberleyPeninsula School Board Member, Washington
Rodel Washington Fellow Class of 2022

My interactions with other Washington elected officials absolutely influenced my approach to policy—for example, a long conversation with several Mayors at the December 2022 Rodel meeting strongly influenced my views during the 2023 legislative session on Washington State drug policy.

Drew HansenState Senator, Washington
Rodel Washington Fellow Class of 2022

Latest News

Announcements | Judicial Fellowship

Reflections from Across the Pond

The Rodel Judicial Fellowship Class of 2024 recently visited the United Kingdom for the group’s final seminar together, diving into the evolution of British and European law through a packed lineup of panels and discussion leaders who shared a transatlantic perspective on judicial leadership and the rule of law. The seminar kicked off in London […]

2026 Edwards Book Award Shortlist Announced

What does it take to sustain a democracy? In a year full of exceptional nominations, the Rodel Institute has narrowed the field to five finalists for the 2026 Edwards Book Award shortlist. This annual prize recognizes books that make an outstanding contribution to the understanding and practice of American politics. Featuring nonfiction titles published in […]

2026 Edwards Book Award Longlist Announced

The Rodel Institute is delighted to announce the longlist finalists for its 2026 Edwards Book Award. The Edwards Book Award is an annual prize recognizing books that make an outstanding contribution to the understanding and practice of democracy and American politics. The prize carries an honorarium of $10,000. The winning book is chosen by a […]