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Valdez Fellowship

Joel Valdez

The application portal for the 2027 Valdez Fellowship is not yet available. Please check back for updates. 

Application Deadline: TBD

 

The Valdez Fellowship is designed to identify the country’s most talented students aspiring to executive levels in local government.

Learn more about Senior Vice President for Business Affairs at the University of Arizona, Joel Valdez.

 

 

Benefits

As full-time students, Valdez Fellows receive the knowledge, training, and necessary experience to become future city/county managers in local government. 

Valdez Fellows also receive the following benefits:

Local Government Experience

Valdez Fellows receive a 2-year paid Management Internship position on a rotating schedule with the Towns of Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita.

Funding

Contingent on funding availability, Valdez Fellows receive a $10,000 graduate tuition waiver ($5,000/semester) for 1 academic year.  

A Graduate Tuition Waiver covers base tuition and is guaranteed for the 1st year of study.  Funding for the 2nd year of study is also contingent on available funding from the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.

Academic Credit

Valdez Fellows will earn 6 units of internship credit towards their MPA or MPP degree requirements. 

Three units of PA 593 will be completed in either the fall or spring semester each academic year.

Memberships

Valdez Fellows will receive memberships to the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and to the Arizona City/County Management Association (ACMA), which also includes coverage to attend ICMA and/or ACMA conferences.

Valdez Fellows must also serve as an active and engaged board member of the UA ICMA Student Chapter. 

Application Process

Valdez Fellowship program applications are accepted once every two years (odd years only) for fall admission.  Two applicants will be selected based on a competitive review process designed to identify the most talented individual aspiring to executive levels in local government.

Check Eligibility

  • All applicants must apply and receive admission to the MPA or MPP program.
  • Applications for both the MPA or MPP programs and the Valdez Fellowship must be received by the posted deadlines.

  • Applicants must be considered an incoming graduate student at the time of application.

    Students currently in the AMP or pursuing the MPA Online program are not eligible to apply for the Valdez Fellowship.

Apply

  • Submit an application for admission via GradApp to the MPA or MPP program.
  • Submit an application to the Valdez Fellowship.
    • Application Deadline: TBD
      • Please note it is strongly recommended to receive admission to the MPA or MPP program prior to applying for the Valdez Fellowship.

Questions?

Please contact us!

SBS-sgppmasters@arizona.edu 

The application portal for the 2027 Valdez Fellowship program is not yet available. Please check back for updates.

Application Deadline: TBD