Policymaker Fellowship
Expanding the benefits of Decision Education across the nation
We are now accepting applications to join the 2026-2027 Policymaker Fellowship.
Apply by August 7, 2026.
Important dates
- August 7, 2026 – APPLICATION DEADLINE
- October 7-9, 2026 – Fall Convening (In-Person)
- February 2027 – Virtual Meeting
- April 2027 – Virtual Meeting
- June 2027 – Virtual Meeting
- September 2027 – Virtual Meeting
- Fall Convening 2027 (In-Person)
What is the Policymaker Fellowship?
The Alliance for Decision Education Policymaker Fellowship is a nonpartisan initiative for state and district K–12 leaders from across the political spectrum.
The Fellowship equips leaders with the knowledge, tools, and peer network needed to bring Decision Education to classrooms nationwide. Fellows strengthen their own decision-making skills while exploring how decision-making competencies can support student learning, educator practice, and existing state and local priorities.
Participants will:
Build understanding and skills in policy analysis, advocacy, and communication through a Decision Education lens
Receive instruction and mentorship on how to make better decisions, both on their own and in groups, from established decision scientists and education policy experts
Examine research, review examples of classroom practice and state-level initiatives, and exchange ideas with peers from geographically and politically diverse states
2025 – 2026 Policymaker Fellows
Rep. Justin Woodson
Hawaii
Chair House Education Committee, Hawai’i State Legislature
Christine Kubota
Hawaii
Office Manager to the Chair of the Hawaii House Committee on Education
Dr. KC Alvarado, MBA, Ed.D.
Tennessee
Director of Ready for Industry (RFI) at eDynamic Learning
Dr. Leah Voorhies
Utah
Deputy Superintendent of Student Achievement at the Utah State Board of Education and State Director of Special Education
Dr. Elisse Newey
Utah
Deputy Superintendent of Policy at the Utah State Board of Education
Darin Nielsen
Utah
Assistant Superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
2026 Tennessee Site Visit
Our 2025-2026 Policymaker Fellows, along with Alliance staff, staff from the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), and guests, visited Gallatin High School to observe the Mathematical Reasoning for Decision Making course. Our Fellows saw firsthand how states like Tennessee are integrating Decision Education into classrooms.
We’re thrilled to see how the Decision Education movement is growing in Tennessee. We look forward to more conversations and learnings across the country with others committed to empowering students with real-world skills that prepare them for the workforce and beyond.
Read our press release to learn more about our inaugural cohort!
