NYCEM Announces 2024-2025 John D. Solomon Fellowship Participants

Emergency Management


Press Release


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NYC EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ANNOUNCES 2024-2025 JOHN D. SOLOMON FELLOWSHIP: TEN OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENTS SELECTED TO DRIVE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE

September 12, 2024 – The New York City Emergency Management Department is pleased to announce the commencement of the 2024-2025 John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service. Ten exceptional graduate students have been selected to embark on this nine-month journey focused on emergency management within various City agencies and the American Red Cross in Greater New York.

“The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service is a testament to the enduring legacy of John D. Solomon, a dedicated public servant who championed emergency preparedness and resilience,” said NYC Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. “We are excited to welcome this new cohort of fellows, who will undoubtedly contribute their unique talents and perspectives to the field of emergency management. Their passion and commitment to public service will help shape a safer and more resilient New York City.”

The family and friends of the late John D. Solomon, an accomplished journalist who focused on homeland security and other public policy issues, established the John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service in 2012. A devoted public servant and active member of his local New York City Community Emergency Response Team (NYC CERT), John was a passionate advocate of emergency preparedness and resilience.

“We are thrilled to welcome the 13th class of John D. Solomon Fellows, inspired by their passion for public service, and grateful for the contributions they will make on behalf of all New Yorkers," said James Solomon, brother of the late John D. Solomon. “These best and brightest follow in the footsteps of the Program's more than 100 remarkable alumni, who have become civic leaders including at 17 New York City government organizations and carry on John's devotion to emergency preparedness and resilience.”

“Every year we are honored to welcome talented graduate students with diverse backgrounds to be part of this fellowship, many foster lifelong connections with their colleagues, agency supervisors, and program alumni,” said New York City Emergency Management Assistant Commissioner of External Affairs Ira Tannenbaum. “The John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service is a great introduction to roles in public service, and to the countless ways our agency and community partners support everyday New Yorkers in various emergencies.”

NYC Emergency Management administers the John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service, the first student fellowship in New York City devoted specifically to emergency management. To date, the program has welcomed more than 105 fellows over 12 years into 14 different New York City agencies and organizations, representing close to 45,000 service hours. Over 42 percent of fellowship alumni have moved on to careers in New York City or New York State government.

The 2024-2025 John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service members are:

Alanis Allen, New York University, NYC Emergency Management, Risk Analysis and Recovery unit
Doug Berger, New York University, NYC Emergency Management, Strategic Partnerships unit
Aleksander (Alek) Gregov, Hunter College, NYC Department of Correction
Jonathan Lalljee, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Adaora Lee, Meharry Medical College, American Red Cross in Greater New York
Stephanie Lemus, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health, NYC Police Department
Jamielee Polanco, New York University, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Jaxon (Jax) Richards, Columbia University, NYC Fire Department
Khiabet Salazar, Columbia University, NYC Emergency Management, Emergency Operations Center
Beckett Zinn-Rowthorn, Fordham University, NYC Housing Authority

For more information on this year's fellows, visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/em/about/meet-fellows.page.

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