Ashley Allison, a Youngstown native who served as Joe Biden’s national coalition director during the 2020 presidential election, is among six fall semester fellows at the Institute of Politics at the Harvard Kennedy School.

The program provides fellows the opportunity to learn from prominent public servants, engage in civil discourse and learn more about politics. It is considered one of the most prestigious political academic programs in the country.

Allison is an Ursuline High School graduate. She is currently a CNN political commentator and previously worked in the White House during the Barack Obama administration as associate director in the Office of Public Engagement.

Others joining Allison in the fall semester include Sara Gideon, speaker of the House in Maine; Holly Kuzmich, executive director of the George W. Bush Institute; former U.S. Rep. Mac Thornberry of Texas; Arnon Mishkin, director of Fox News’ Decision Desk; and Trymaine Lee, an MSNBC correspondent.