Behind every Bush Fellow is a team of supporters, champions, advocates, and advice-givers. It’s a network of peer-leaders encouraging someone to apply for the fellowship, giving feedback on applications, and helping a finalist prepare for the in-person interviews that makes everyday leaders become Bush Fellows.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at two of the champions, Tea Rozman-Clark and Terri Thao, who supported Nausheena Hussain in her journey to becoming a 2016 Bush Fellow.
Know someone who should apply for a 2017 Bush Fellowship? Be their advocate. Support and encourage them to apply. Applications open from August 30—September 29, 2016.
Tea Rozman-Clark
PhD, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Green Card Voices
I met with Nausheena a couple of weeks before her Bush Fellow interview. I went through the process successfully a year prior and was eager to pass on my experience so she, too, could be as prepared as possible.
I told her that the Bush Fellowships’ four hours of back-to-back interviews was one of the hardest things I had ever done in my life. Without mentors to help me, I went in without much understanding of what to expect. I was very excited she was willing to learn from me, and use my tips to power through.
A day like this will test your stamina. Here’s some of the practical advice I gave Nausheena:
- Clear your schedule in the days prior.
- Have someone drive you to and from the Bush Foundation.
- Get a good night of sleep.
- Focus on self care above all else.
I relayed that she would be meeting multiple people and should try to treat each interview the same:
- Make sure each meeting has a strong beginning and end.
- To avoid becoming too exhausted during those long four hours, go to the restroom between each interview and just stand there for five minutes and breathe deeply.
- During breaks, do power poses (assuming the body language of a powerful person can make one feel confident).
I knew Nausheena was an amazing person and could be a future Bush Fellow. If she was mentally and physically prepared, the committee would easily be able to see who she is and what she is about. My goal was to help her be prepared, be herself, and to do a great series of interviews.
Terri Thao
Program Director, Nexus Community Partners
I met Nausheena when she was working at CAIR-MN and she wanted to talk about increasing civic engagement in the Muslim community. She was considering the Bush Fellowship to help achieve this work.
Having sat on the selection committee a few years ago, I reviewed the materials that Nausheena originally submitted to make sure the application:
- Clearly articulated the public problem she was trying to address, and
- Illustrated how her individual leadership would develop and grow as a result of the fellowship.
I shared with her the types of questions finalists are asked:
- What would she do if she did not get the fellowship? Would she still pursue this work albeit at a slower pace?
I told her that this program is not a project but really about how her individual learnings would help her community. Lastly, I really became a great cheerleader to Nausheena throughout the project, telling her that she was definitely qualified for the fellowship.