Introducing our Spring 2014 Fellows
Shira T. Center is the Politics Editor for Roll Call, the top news source on Capitol Hill for more than 50 years, based in Washington, D.C. One of the beltway’s best campaign reporters and analysts, she has covered politics from Alaska to New Hampshire and everywhere in between for a decade.
Center is an authority on Congressional races; she spearheaded Roll Call's coverage of the decennial redistricting process following the Census. In addition to Roll Call, Center’s writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Washingtonian, National Journal and Reason Magazine. Center has also worked at POLITICO and National Journal’s The Hotline.
Why did you apply to be a Fellow at Harvard University's Institute of Politics?
There are probably a 1,000 reasons why I wanted to be a Fellow, so I'll just name a few. First, I love having candid conversations about politics. Whether I'm talking with candidates, sources, or colleagues, it's easily the best part of my job, and I look forward to sharing that with students. Secondly, I think it's awesome and rare that someone can take a break from his or her career to join a university community, especially one like Harvard IOP. Finally, some of my favorite colleagues are former fellows — including Roll Call's editor-in-chief, Christina Bellantoni — and they have raved about the program and, most of all, the experience of working with the students.
What can students and participants expect to learn about during your Study Groups?
We're definitely going to have fun. Students and participants can expect a frank, lively and revealing discussion about gender, media and the 2014 midterm elections. They can also expect some interesting guests to dish about their own experiences covering campaigns, working with candidates and voters.
What are you most looking forward to this semester?
I'd like to audit a few classes, check out other fellows' study groups and maybe a Hasty Pudding production. My husband and I have started a "Boston Bucket List" google doc of stuff we want to see while we're in town. There are already more than 30 things on it — half of which are restaurants! Also, years ago my father worked at the BSO; hopefully we can catch their all-Mozart show in March.