Fall/Winter 2026 Higher Education Policy Fellow

HCM Strategists is a public policy consulting firm focused on postsecondary education and workforce outcomes. The fellow supports a national research project on education-to-workforce alignment through data gathering and analysis, stakeholder interviews, and client deliverables.

Responsibilities:

• Gathering data and conducting research to support a national 50-state scan of education-to-workforce alignment
• Performing data collection, analysis, and synthesis to support policy insights and recommendations
• Supporting the research process by preparing for and documenting stakeholder interviews
• Contributing to the development of client deliverables, including reports, memos, slide decks, and briefs
• Attending and summarizing virtual interviews with key partners and stakeholders
• Attending internal project meetings and client-facing calls

Requirements:

• for current graduate students
• Current enrollment in or recent graduation from a graduate program (master's or Ph.D.) in public policy, higher education, economics, political science, or a related field. Undergraduate students not eligible
• Demonstrated strong interest in higher education policy
• Strong research and data analysis skills, including the ability to interpret and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information
• Familiarity and comfort with deciphering legislative and budget documents
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex topics for different audiences
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work both independently and collaboratively
• Must be based in the United States
• Prior academic or professional experience in higher education policy, workforce development, or a related field
• Experience working with datasets, policy analysis, or program evaluation
• Familiarity with state or federal policy processes
• Organized and attentive to details