The Fiscal Leadership Lab is a pilot 18-week program designed for undergraduate students looking to elevate their skills in fiscal policy and civic engagement. The program, which was run by program coordinator Soniy Alamdari, one of 8 Campus Compact Student Design Fellows, concluded its inaugural year with an in-person convening in Washington, DC.
More than 70 students from Atlanta, Bay Area, Chicago, Washington D.C., Boston, Dallas, and Salt Lake City gathered to reflect on their learning, celebrate their accomplishments, and engage with leaders in public service. These cities were chosen intentionally to represent geographical and institutional diversity within the program. Guest speakers included Former Representatives, Dan Kildee (D-MI, 2013-2025), Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY, 2011-2013) and Journalist Steve Scully.
It was great to hear about the growth the students felt concluding the program compared to where they started. As one student reflected, the program “gave me both the confidence and practical tools to stay engaged and make a real impact,” while another shared that it made them feel “more informed, more confident, and more intentional about the impact I want to have.”
Students also reported substantial gains in fiscal literacy, policy confidence, and relationship-building across differences. Many participants highlighted the value of learning alongside peers from diverse backgrounds, noting that the experience felt “collaborative and grounded in real-world experiences rather than just classroom learning.”
It was clear that students really valued the relationship-building present within the program. One student mentioned that they “valued the conversations with peers, which made the experience feel collaborative and grounded in real-world experiences rather than just classroom learning.” Another student mentioned that they “gained confidence in discussing important policy issues, collaborating with others, and understanding how individuals can create meaningful change within their communities.”
As the inaugural cohort concludes, the Fiscal Leadership Lab is looking forward to continuing its impact for years to come. If you or someone who you know is located in one of our seven cities and may be interested please email [email protected] with your stated interest and/or any questions you may have. We look forward to our recruitment for our second year and will be posting more information as it becomes available.
