LCSGs 2025 Knauss Fellows’ Year in Review

Each year, Lake Champlain Sea Grant, along with the other 53 Sea Grant programs, get to work with outstanding young professionals in our region as Knauss Fellows. The Knauss Fellowship is a prestigious opportunity for graduate students interested in watershed and coastal science and policy. Fellows can be placed in the executive branch working with federal agencies like NOAA itself or in the legislative branch working in committees or with individual representatives. In addition to Lake Champlain basin-based candidates, Lake Champlain Sea Grant manages fellows from the US Virgin Islands. In 2025, two fellows from the Virgin Islands are representing LCSG as Knauss Fellows.

Julia Plotkin is placed in the National Ocean Service (NOS) front office as Special Assistant to the Senior Advisor for Coastal Inundation and Resilience. Sierrah Mueller is placed in the personal office of Representative Jared Huffman, who represents the Northern California coast (CA-02) and is the Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

“This year has been dynamic, challenging, and totally eye-opening. I am grateful for the solid foundation in coastal resource management I received conducting research and working in the U.S. Virgin Islands prior to my fellowship year,” said Plotkin. “My work there was largely applied science, hands-on stakeholder engagement, and community level implementation. My Knauss year has truly expanded my perspective by placing me directly amidst the fast-paced, high-level federal decisions that drive the local applications I was more familiar with.”

“The fellowship has confirmed my passion for the science-policy nexus and shown me how impactful this work can be,” said Mueller. “I’m excited to take the skills, knowledge, and relationships I’ve built this year into my next steps, where I can continue growing and contributing in this space.”

The Knauss Fellowship experience is different for everyone based on their placement, their projects, and their colleagues. This year, the day to day activities of Mueller and Plotkin were different from each other—and from the day before.

“No two days are the same (and I like it that way!),” shared Plotkin. “First, there is logistics and communications. I manage packed inboxes and calendars, run meetings, take notes, and develop agendas. Before any engagement, like a political briefing or a speaking invitation, I’m busy preparing talking points, presentations, and itineraries. None of the above would be possible if I didn’t maintain a working knowledge of all things coastal resilience at NOAA, on Capitol Hill, and across other federal agencies. I often do quick research dives, develop summaries or suggestions, and discuss with Mark how we could best advance strategic decision-making and messaging. I am a trusted sounding board for brainstorming and helping Mark to “read the tea leaves” as he calls it, as priorities shift and new initiatives take shape.”

“As a legislative fellow in the House of Representatives, every day holds something new,” said Mueller. “Within my first few months, I gained an in-depth look at the federal appropriations process by leading appropriations letters and requests for the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee. Some of my daily responsibilities include drafting cosponsor recommendations, meeting with stakeholders, constituents, and groups to discuss priorities, and preparing for Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee hearings by helping craft remarks and witness questions. I’ve also had the chance to reintroduce legislation this Congress and further develop new legislation.”

In addition to their placement, the Knauss fellowship is a year packed full of professional development. Formal professional development opportunities like conferences and trainings are encouraged and informal networking opportunities fill in the rest.

“Opportunities to learn on the Hill are endless, from frequent briefings on energy and environmental issues to legislative training series hosted by the Congressional Research Service,” said Mueller. “Moreso, attending networking receptions has broadened my professional circle and connected me with leaders in D.C.’s environmental policy community.”

The Knauss Fellowship opportunity opens for applications each year. When the 2027 Knauss Fellowship opportunity is available, it will be updated on the LCSG Knauss webpage. Questions about the opportunity can be directed to seagrant [at] uvm.edu.