From entry-level appointees to a cabinet secretary, from tacticians to advisors, from the departments of Defense and State to Education and Commerce, our alumni are in the arena.
The John Jay Institute’s website asks the question: What if the most exceptional emerging Christian leaders could be equipped with the best ideas of human civilization? It’s a worthy question – one we grapple with every day at the seminar table, on field studies, and in life together. But our questioning takes a step further: What if those leaders find their way into institutions to live out those ideas – to practice what we preach?
This question isn’t hypothetical. Alumni of the John Jay Fellowship, Saratoga Fellowship, and Witherspoon Fellowship find themselves in consequential positions across such institutions, and nowhere is this seen to such full effect as in the Executive Branch of the United States Government.
In the White House, Stephen Siao (John Jay ‘13) serves the Executive Office as Special Assistant to the President for National Security Legislative Affairs.
The Hon. Pete Hegseth (Witherspoon ‘01) serves as Secretary of War.
In foreign affairs and national security, Louis Galarowicz (John Jay ‘21) supports the nation’s foreign policy professionals as a Special Assistant at the U.S. State Department. Andrew Hamm (John Jay ‘21) works at the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom as a Public Affairs Associate, advancing awareness of religious liberty concerns worldwide.
Nathaniel Madden (John Jay ‘14) serves as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
At the Federal Trade Commission, the Hon. Mark Meador (John Jay ‘08) serves as Commissioner, overseeing federal antitrust and consumer protection enforcement. Supporting his office are John Fahrenbach (John Jay ‘25) as Staff Assistant and Tiana Luo (John Jay ‘25) as Paralegal.
“My time at the John Jay Institute was instrumental in forming me for a career in public service. The program’s combination of daily prayer, communal worship, and Christ-centered academic inquiry is essential to preparing young men and women to pursue principled public leadership, and it remains one of the most important experiences in my life.”
At the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Mitchell Hailstone (John Jay ‘14) serves as Director of Public Strategy, guiding the department’s policy communications and public engagement. Alexandra Adair (John Jay '24) works as a Special Assistant in the Office of the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
Robert Burkett (John Jay ‘14) is Chief of Staff at the Bureau of Industry and Security within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Predictably, John Jay alumni have a strong presence in the U.S. Department of Education. Zachary Rogers (John Jay ‘18) serves as an Advisor in the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. Gabriella Slowey (John Jay ‘21) works in the Office of the Secretary as Special Assistant for Policy. Brandon Huang (John Jay '24) is Special Assistant in the Office of the General Counsel.
Whether foreign or domestic, whatever the level, alumni of the John Jay Institute’s fellowships are amidst the fray. Our alumni understand that we don’t read and discuss ideas simply as an intellectual exercise. They seek wisdom and prudence to build virtuous families and communities, free people, and a prosperous nation. This is the fire in the belly of our alumni, and we’re excited to see what they continue to build in the coming years.
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