Since 2018, the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University has welcomed a cohort of United States Marine Corps officers to campus as Master of Public Policy students. The officers chosen for the prestigious Marine Corps Congressional Fellowship Program will complete their fellowships by working for elected representatives on Capitol Hill. Captain Desiree A. Peterson is a member of this year’s cohort.
Marine Corps Captain Desiree A. Peterson’s military and academic journey has led her from undergraduate studies at the United States Naval Academy, where the communications officer earned her BS in Honors English in 2019, to George Mason’s Schar School where a Master of Public Policy degree awaits. After she dons her cap and gown next year, the Paterson, New Jersey, native will head to the halls of Congress.
Peterson’s path is not only about personal growth but about gaining the insight needed to bring tangible improvements to the Marine Corps, she said. In fact, her drive to join the Congressional Fellowship Program grew from her curiosity about the inner workings of policy and how it impacts the processes within the Marine Corps.
Equally, she views this as a pathway to becoming a more well-rounded leader, balancing her technical expertise with equally crucial skills of communication and policy understanding.
“As someone who has worked in a highly technical field, it remains important to me to maintain balance and continue to pursue to develop both technical skills and the ability to communicate complex material effectively,” she said.
Her ultimate goal is not just to understand policy but to use it to shape and optimize processes within the military. As officers advance in their careers, she said, understanding the “why” behind decisions can dramatically influence operations within the Corps.
By comprehending how processes—like the authorization and appropriations that influence military spending—directly impact the way the Marines are trained and equipped, Peterson sees a chance to act as a bridge, capable of explaining decisions and their impact to those under her leadership.
“It is my goal to better understand the legislative processes that inform the design of our force, but also to integrate myself within a cohort of scholars, leaders, and staff and members of Congress who possess the latitude to not only understand, but influence, the way we prepare for and respond to future national security concerns,” she said.
One of her favorite classes has been Technology, Culture, and Commerce, taught by Adjunct Professor Mark Langevin, an expert in global commerce and policy.
“This course expanded my understanding of how Congress intersects with evolving industries and technology, as well as the broader cultural impacts of technological change,” Peterson said. “This intersection is especially relevant to my background, highlighting the challenges the military faces in rapidly adapting to new technological landscapes.”
In addition to her professors and fellow classmates, Peterson has received academic encouragement from previous Schar School Marine Corps fellows.
“I am deeply grateful for the mentorship I've received throughout my journey to join this program,” she said. “Marines who previously completed this fellowship have shared invaluable insights that shaped my understanding of the experience, providing a realistic view of what it entails and helping me determine if it would be the right fit.”
Her upcoming service on Capitol Hill is a far cry from her typical duties in uniform, but Peterson is ready for the transition.
“Military training has prepared me to stay mission-focused and resilient, qualities that will be crucial when navigating the complexity and pace of Congress,” she said. “My hope is that this experience [at the Schar School] will provide the opportunity for me to represent the Marine Corps in a small capacity so that we can connect the needs of the service with the realities of the legislative process to foster better understanding and outcomes.”
More than 4,700 of George Mason’s more than 40,000 students are military or veteran-connected. The university is designated a Military Friendly TM institution and has been rated as a top college for veterans by U.S. News and World Report. In fall 2024, the university’s incoming freshman transfer cohort was 20 percent military connected, and the incoming graduate cohort was 19 percent military connected. See this webpage to learn about the Military, Veterans, and Families Initiative at George Mason.
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