We are excited to welcome back three 2021-2022 Bradford Fellows to the Commonwealth - Birabwa Kajubi (DTA), John Rota (Massachusetts State Police) and Leslie Darcy (EHS). Over the past year, the Fellows attended Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and earned their Master in Public Administration (MPA).

We recognize the opportunity and capacity for our Bradford Fellows to dramatically impact the future of the Commonwealth, through the innovations they will inspire and the contributions they will make to their agencies and secretariats. We proudly welcome them back to the Commonwealth workforce.

The Human Resources Division had the opportunity to connect with the Fellows to learn more about their experience.

Birabwa Kajubi

Department of Transitional Assistance, Executive Office of Health and Human Services

The Bradford Fellowship experience was inspiring and transformative. Attending the Kennedy School taught me different ways to understand and intervene on difficult problems in public administration; ideas of possibility, collaboration, and an orientation to solutions and the future. 

Over the course of the year, I was also able to meet so many different kinds of people - classmates, professors, speakers, and others - who were able to challenge my attitudes toward the arrangements in the world in a way that has made me feel more alive, more brave, and hopefully more effective in generating public good. 

John Rota

Massachusetts State Police, Executive Office of Public Safety and Security

As I reflect upon this experience, I am thankful for both the rigors and joys of this program. The academics were challenging and the conversations were inclusive, even sometimes uncomfortable, reminding us that leadership is not always an easy task. Collaborating with classmates, both in and out of the classroom, provided us with the chance to share our career experiences, deepening our appreciation of the wide variety of backgrounds within our cohort. I am thankful that I was able to represent my agency at Harvard during this moment in history when conversations surrounding social justice, equality, equity and inclusion are being discussed and debated.

The Bradford Fellowship has been a rewarding experience filled with deep learning and lasting friendships – both personal and professional. I hope to use my new skills and resources effectively, contributing to future successful leadership within state government.

Leslie Darcy

Executive Office of Health and Human Services

The Bradford Fellowship was a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend a year connecting with and learning from leaders from across the globe and reflecting upon the important work we do here in the Commonwealth.

I return to public service with a reinvigorated passion for the work that we all do to improve the lives of Massachusetts residents.