Madelynn Lederer

Madelynn Lederer is a senior from Glen Mills, Pennsylvania majoring in Political Science and Public & Professional Writing with a minor in Creative Writing and certificates in Leadership and Television & Broadcast Arts. Madelynn is the President of the Blue and Gold Society, a group that bridges the gap between student and alumni. Blue and Gold Society Ambassadors are a diverse group of student leaders that volunteer with the Pitt Alumni Association and greater campus community by maintaining traditions, providing a student perspective, and networking with alumni. Madelynn is also the co-President of Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Fraternity and is involved in Pitt Dance Marathon and Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity. She has volunteered with the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh as a tutor and with Amie Academy Foundation as a grant writer. 

Madelynn's experience interning for Pennsylvania State Representative Emily Kinkead through the Institute of Politics Internship and Seminar program sparked her interest in a career in public service. She then took that experience abroad, interning in Ireland for South Dublin County Mayor Emma Murphy addressing the mayor’s response to Ukrainian refugee resettlement in South Dublin. As a junior, Madelynn had the honor of working with the Allegheny County Department of Human Services as an Elsie Hillman Honors Scholar. She studied the county’s use of opioid settlement funds to support concerned significant others of individuals with substance use disorder. Desiring an experience that put her “in the field” serving a local community, Madelynn spent last summer as a Browne Leadership Fellow teaching Kindergarten - 2nd grade summer school at Pittsburgh Faison Elementary School in Homewood. This fall, Madelynn will be applying to law school. She is excited to support the Institute of Politics this year as an Elsie Civic Engagement Intern.