McNeese Student Participates in Governor’s Fellows Program 

Colin Puig, from Walker, is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at McNeese State University who recently participated in the Louisiana Governor’s Fellows Program. 

 The three-month fellowship is an opportunity for young adults to learn about the workings of the Louisiana State Government. Each of the 13 fellows is assigned to a cabinet-level organization, and Puig was paired with the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. 

Throughout his time as a fellow, he had the opportunity to be boots-on-the-ground and go out in the field. These trips usually entailed site visits and sometimes joint visits with the Army Corps of Engineers, where he would observe the progress made on protection features like levees or collect data from observational points throughout the state.  

“The end goal of the fellowship was to craft a policy that would address an issue facing the agency you were assigned,” explained Puig. “My policy focused on home elevations in the coastal region of Southwest Louisiana.” 

An experience that impacted him was a visit to Grand Isle oyster hatchery and research lab. Students toured the oyster hatchery to understand how introducing oysters into coastal waters creates natural reefs and oyster beds that act as breakwaters to help fight against erosion.  

“The biggest takeaway I have from the fellowship is the importance of intelligent policy,” expressed Puig. “Policymaking is a crucial part of governance, and by taking into account all aspects of an issue, your policy can work to address the systemic root of the problem and not just create a temporary fix.” 

Aside from Puig’s time in office and in the field, there was an academic part of the workload. Fellows were enrolled in a Public Administration 4000 class at LSU under the instruction of Dr. Roy Heidelberg, gaining college credit hours. During class time, they discussed constitutional law and the role of policy in government.  

“I would encourage everyone to apply for this fellowship; it is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Puig says.