EEOC LAUNCHES 2007 FELLOWS PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES, ACADEMIA

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) unveiled a Fellows Program today that will bring talented officials from federal agencies and academia to the agency for a period of six to 12 months to exchange information, share best practices, and identify program and process improvements to strengthen the federal sector equal opportunity system. The target audience for the new initiative includes professionals in the areas of equal employment opportunity, human resources, and law, as well as experts in other relevant fields. 

Chair Naomi C. Earp signed a letter at EEOC headquarters to federal agency heads encouraging their support of the initiative, which promotes workplace practices that allow all individuals to achieve their highest potential.  "On this day, May 1, let the new generation begin its work," Chair Earp said in putting down her pen.

"We must never underestimate what can be accomplished through creative partnerships with our sister agencies and stakeholder communities," Chair Earp said.  "The EEOC is committed to a strong and prosperous nation secured through a fair and inclusive workplace.  Since its inception in 1965, the EEOC has helped individuals and organizations achieve this goal.  To continue that role, the EEOC promotes full use of the nation's human capital by supporting workplace practices that afford all individuals the freedom to compete and advance on a level playing field."

The EEOC Fellows Program provides high performing individuals an opportunity to use their knowledge and experience in a practical setting conducive to enhancing their individual skill sets and hands-on experiences.  During the non-reimbursable assignment, the individual will share knowledge and expertise, and gain a broader perspective of federal equal opportunity by working as part of the EEOC leadership team.  In addition to strengthening the EEOC's partnerships with the federal and educational communities, the initiative focuses on cutting-edge outcomes and recommendations promoting fair and inclusive workplaces government-wide, as well as research that benefits all employment sectors and academia.

Dr. James Donaldson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University in Washington, D.C., said, "The work of the EEOC is of enormous interest to those of us in the historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) community." He added, "We remember the conditions that existed before the EEOC, and we are happy to have the opportunity to participate in shaping the policies on employment."

The program, designed by an interagency workgroup led by the EEOC's Office of Federal Operations, consists of three levels:

     
• The Distinguished Fellows Program is open to federal employees at the GS-14 grade level and above, or equivalents in the academic community, interested in assignments to the EEOC for a minimum of six months.
• The Meritorious Fellows Program is open to federal employees at the GS-13 level and below, or equivalents in the academic community, interested in assignments for less than six months.
• The Exchange Program is open to EEOC employees and others interested in exchanging jobs based on mutual agreement.

In her remarks, Mary Hannagan, director of staffing and career development in the office of the Director of National Intelligence, said that working in defense, intelligence and law enforcement all have one thing in common: "Human resources, human capital, and EEO work as business partners. And EEOC and diversity is a strategic business imperative no matter where you are."

The application process requires an endorsement by the agency head or administrator of the educational institution, a written narrative describing professional contributions and addressing one's interest in the fellows program, and two letters of reference.  Applications may be sent by e-mail to eeocfp@eeoc.gov, standard mail, or otherwise delivered to Marcia Coates, EEOC Fellows Executive Director, Office of Federal Operations, 1801 L Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20507.

Dr. Joseph Cordes, director of the School of Public Policy Administration at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., said he was looking forward to referring students to the EEOC program. "This is a very nicely designed program that schools like ours should take advantage of."

Further information on program eligibility and selection criteria is available on the EEOC's web site at http://www.eeoc.gov/fellows/index.html.