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Fifteen years ago, Jessica Deakyne was a member of the inaugural cohort of Cal State Fullerton's City Management Fellowship Program (CMFP). At the time, she was looking for an opportunity to explore firsthand what a career in city government could actually look like.

"CMFP allowed me to test that theory without having to take a step back in my career with an internship or entry-level role," Deakyne said. "It set in concrete my desire to shift to a city and shifted my career focus in a positive way."

Now, 15 years later, Deakyne finds herself on the other side of that relationship, informally mentoring Jenna Ross, a CSUF communications alumna, current MPA student, and one of this year's fellows.

"I kind of feel like she was me, like, now," Ross said. "So when Jessica told me I should apply, I thought, 'I'm definitely going to.'"

Ross and Deakyne's mentoring relationship developed independently of the official fellowship program, but their connection offers a fitting look at how the program has come full circle.

Reflecting on her experience as a fellow, Deakyne described CMFP as an opportunity to "truly pull back the proverbial curtain on city management."

Fifteen years later, Ross described what she hopes to gain from the fellowship in remarkably similar terms.

"I'm really hoping for the chance to see behind the curtain a little bit," Ross said. "I'm really just interested in being in the room where it happens."

Fifteen years apart, both women describe one of the fellowship's greatest benefits in much the same way: the opportunity to move beyond the classroom and see firsthand what leadership in local government actually looks like.

That opportunity was exactly what the fellowship was created to provide.

The idea for CMFP began with Ben Siegel, a 2007 graduate of CSUF's Master of Public Administration program and current city manager for the City of San Juan Capistrano. Soon after graduating from CSUF, Siegel was working in local government for the City of Lake Forest and had opportunities early in his career to work directly with city managers and department heads. Those leaders took the time to include him in important conversations and give him a firsthand look at municipal leadership.

Siegel recognized that his experience wasn't something every MPA student had access to.

"My experience was relatively unique, and there were several MPA students who were extremely talented and ambitious, yet didn't have that same level of exposure to organizational leadership for one reason or another," Siegel said.

For Siegel, that lack of access could become a limitation as students tried to move forward in their careers. He envisioned a program that could help close that gap by connecting MPA students directly with city managers and other local government leaders.

"My hope was that the fellowship could help compensate by ensuring top MPA students had an opportunity to engage directly with city managers and other local leaders," Siegel said.

The benefit could also work both ways. Siegel saw the fellowship as an opportunity for city managers to meet emerging public servants who could eventually become candidates for positions within their organizations.

When Siegel brought the idea to Shelly Arsneault, professor of political science in the Division of Politics, Administration and Justice, she had one question.

"Why would city managers want to do this?" Arsneault recalled.

Arsneault remembers Siegel seeming almost offended by the question.

"His answer was basically that this is part of their ethos as public-service professionals," Arsneault said. "Of course, they want to give back. Of course, they want to mentor the next generation."

Arsneault decided to trust him.

"I said, 'Okay, I'll take your word for it.'"

Fifteen years later, Siegel appears to have been right. Arsneault said she has little difficulty finding city managers willing to serve as mentors.

The fellowship's inaugural cohort included five students before the program settled into its current model of four fellows each academic year. Each fellow is paired with a local government leader for the year through a competitive application process open to students in CSUF's MPA program.

Over its 15-year span, the fellowship has mentored more than 60 MPA students and built connections with city leaders throughout Orange County.

Throughout the year, the program brings the selected fellows and mentors together for three group lunches and four workshops hosted by participating managers in their respective cities. These gatherings give fellows the opportunity to learn from all four mentors, not just the one they are paired with.

Outside of those group events, fellows work directly with their mentors and may be invited to city council or staff meetings, spend time shadowing city leaders, and receive guidance on resumes, interviews, and navigating public-sector careers.

Fellows also receive a $1,500 scholarship, funded entirely through donor support, to support their participation in the program.

These opportunities give fellows a firsthand look at how local government leaders approach their work.

"The best way to learn that is by being in the room with those people," said Bella Veloz, a CSUF English alumna, current MPA student, and 2026-27 CMFP fellow.

Arsneault remembers one program lunch around 2018 that demonstrated exactly what that access could mean.

At the time, homelessness was a major issue facing cities across Orange County, and local governments were under pressure to improve services and cooperation around homelessness. When the fellowship's city manager mentors gathered for one of their planned lunches, the issue naturally came up.

"One manager from a larger city and another from a smaller city started saying, 'Here's what we're doing,' and another said, 'Well, we could help you with this,'" Arsneault said. "Here they were at my lunch, having real conversations about real problems they were facing and attempting to collaboratively develop solutions."

Students witnessed firsthand how city managers worked through a shared problem in real time. It was the kind of experience that couldn't be replicated through coursework alone.

"Yes, they were getting their scholarship, and yes, I was setting them up with professional development and sending them to conferences," Arsneault said. "But to be able to sit at lunch and watch this happen before your eyes? That's priceless."

For some fellows, that access doesn't end when the fellowship does.

Deakyne remains connected with Karen Brust, her mentor during the inaugural cohort, as well as Carol Jacobs, another mentor from the program's first year. Fifteen years later, Deakyne considers both trusted advisers.

"So much of her mentorship has stuck with me even 15 years later, including incredible insight into how she makes decisions, her executive presence, and how she leads her team," Deakyne said of Brust.

Giving students exposure to different leadership styles was part of Siegel's original vision for the fellowship. He wanted MPA students to see different examples of effective public service so they could begin to develop their own leadership styles. That aspect of the fellowship made a lasting impact on Deakyne.

"Karen was the first person to tell me that while my leadership style might not look like traditional city managers, it was valid, and being a warm leader who wanted to instill more joy and fun into the work was great," Deakyne said.

That emphasis on mentorship has followed Deakyne throughout her career. Today, she serves as COO at MRG and co-chair of UpNext, a leadership community focused on cultivating the next generation of public-service leaders.

"There is an absolute nexus between CMFP and UpNext in that the core tenets of each are authentic leadership, refining your personal leadership style, and developing in community with other public servants," Deakyne said.

That same cycle is now beginning again with Ross.

For Ross, the fellowship offers an opportunity to explore different areas of public service while continuing to develop as a leader.

"While I know the public sector is where I want to be, I am still in the process of determining how, exactly, I want to serve," Ross said.

Fifteen years ago, Arsneault wasn't sure local government leaders would give their time to mentor the next generation of public servants. Today, she has little difficulty finding mentors willing to participate, and all four mentors serving in Year 15 are CSUF alumni: Orange City Manager Jarad Hildenbrand, Fountain Valley City Manager Maggie Le, Costa Mesa Assistant City Manager Alma Reyes, and Dana Point Assistant City Manager Jeff Rosaler.

The four current fellows also bring different CSUF academic backgrounds to the program. Veloz earned her bachelor's degree in English, Ross in communications, Aaron Vaca in business, and Bendeguz Abueli in political science.

Fifteen years ago, Arsneault wasn't sure how she would sustain the program once its initial funding ran out. Today, CMFP is entirely donor-funded.

Fifteen years ago, Arsneault had to introduce city leaders and MPA students to the new program. Today, its longstanding partnership with the Orange County City Managers Association helps connect the program with local government leaders willing to share their time and expertise. The fellowship has also become a draw for applicants, with Arsneault noting that prospective students frequently cite CMFP as a reason for choosing CSUF.

Siegel conceived the program to give aspiring local leaders access to the same kinds of opportunities he had early in his career. He wanted students to have mentors who could show them what it meant to become effective leaders.

Now, Siegel is preparing to retire after serving as San Juan Capistrano's city manager since 2016. His measure of success is simple.

"The goal should be to become an effective city manager," Siegel said. "Our communities need effective leaders in local government."

For Siegel, the fellowship contributes to a broader goal of improving communities, "which frankly should be the main reason all of us chose this line of work."