Meet the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future Fall 2026 Fellows cohort. Our Fellows spend the semester leading study groups, as well as hosting office hours, roundtable discussions, and dozens of bi-partisan CPF political conversations and conferences throughout the year.


Michael Donilon

Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden

“Democracy 2026”
Mondays, 3–5PM

Julianna Goldman

Former White House Correspondent, Bloomberg & CBS News

“Life Skills in Political Journalism”
Wednesdays, 12-2PM

Mike Madrid

Former Political Director, California Republican Party; Co-Founder, The Lincoln Project

“The 2026 Midterms in Real Time”
Thursdays, 12-2PM

Amy McIntosh

Former Assistant Secretary of Education in the Obama Administration

“Changing Student Lives Through Educational Policy”
Tuesdays, 2-4PM

Claudine Schneider

Former U.S. Representative (R-Rhode Island)

“Be the Change You Want to See in the World!”
Wednesdays, 3-5PM

Jeffrey Toobin

Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times; Bestselling Author of “The Nine and The Run of His Life” (adapted into FX’s The People v. O.J. Simpson)

“Law and Politics: What’s the Difference (If Any)?”
Tuesdays, 4-6PM