The Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute announced July 22 that Vonzelle Johnson and Dykisha Potter are the 2021 recipients of the Master in Public Policy Minority Fellowship.

Johnson is director of external affairs for Teach for America and is a former city commissioner for DeLand.

He has a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and anthropology from Colgate University and a master’s in social work from Valdosta State University.

As part of his MPP degree program, Johnson plans to complete a capstone project about economic development and policy as it pertains to revitalizing underdeveloped areas of Jacksonville.

Potter is a graduation coach and achievement advocate for the nonprofit Communities in Schools of Jacksonville and serves the community in the ampED National Fellowship, the Junior League of Jacksonville and Jacksonville’s City Year Alumni Board.

She has a Bachelor of Science in business administration in economics with minors in accounting and English from the University of Miami and a Master of Arts in teaching in secondary education from the University of North Florida.

Potter will focus on ways that public policy can meet and support education.

Recipients of the MPP Minority Fellowship receive a full tuition scholarship to earn their Master in Public Policy degree at JU, a books and materials stipend, internship opportunities provided by the city of Jacksonville and mentorship by community leaders.

In return, fellowship award winners agree to spend at least three years after graduation in Northeast Florida. The fellowship program was created in collaboration with the mayor’s