Policy decisions made in Harrisburg and Washington eventually reach every school community. Those decisions help determine what resources schools receive and how districts respond to the needs of their students.
Dr. Alex Rohrer, Community School Director at Burrowes Elementary School, will have an opportunity to study that process more closely as a member of the 2026–27 Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship Program.
The eight-month program is administered by The Education Policy and Leadership Center. It brings together professionals from across Pennsylvania whose work touches education and public policy. Since the program began in 1999, more than 700 leaders have completed the fellowship.
Rohrer applied with the endorsement of his employer and SDoL Community School partner, Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, which is also funding his participation.
“This Fellowship program provides me with an opportunity to better understand how government and public policy impact the everyday work of supporting students, families, and schools,” Rohrer said. “As someone working at the intersection of education and community partnerships, I am eager to gain insight into an often-misunderstood policy landscape and use that knowledge to be a more effective advocate, leader, and partner for the communities we serve.”
Fellows will examine how education policy is developed in Pennsylvania and how federal decisions affect local schools. They’ll learn directly from policymakers, school leaders and advocates throughout the program.
The fellowship opens with two days in the Harrisburg area focused on education governance and the major policy issues facing Pennsylvania. Over the following eight months, participants will attend virtual sessions and take part in leadership programs across the state. The experience also includes meetings in Washington, D.C., and a day at the State Capitol.
Several sessions will examine the staffing and financial pressures facing public schools. Others will focus on workforce development and effective public advocacy. One session will look specifically at community schools and the partnerships that support students, giving Rohrer an opportunity to contribute insights from his work at Burrowes.
Fellows will also work in teams to research an education policy issue and present recommendations near the conclusion of the program.
Phoebe Radcliffe, Director of Program Operations at Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster, said Rohrer’s ability to connect people and systems has been central to his work.
“Dr. Alex Rohrer exemplifies the kind of leadership that drives meaningful change,” Radcliffe said. “He is deeply committed to continuous learning and is always looking for ways to improve outcomes for young people and families. Through his work as a Community School Director, Alex has demonstrated a unique ability to connect ideas, people, and systems in ways that strengthen partnerships and advance student success. We are excited to see him bring the insights gained through this fellowship back to both the Boys & Girls Club of Lancaster and the School District of Lancaster.”
Rohrer has served the Burrowes community for five years. Before joining the school, he worked in victim services and juvenile probation before moving into adult mental health services. His experience continues to shape how he approaches the community school model, particularly his focus on partnerships that expand learning beyond the school walls.
He earned his undergraduate degree in psychology from Millersville University and a doctorate in prevention science from Wilmington University. He also teaches undergraduate and doctoral-level courses as an adjunct instructor at Wilmington.
Rohrer regularly presents on topics related to mental health and trauma-sensitive practices. He has also used his writing to address teacher burnout, staffing shortages and school safety while calling for stronger relationships within school communities. His work approaches education as a responsibility shared across an entire community.
Burrowes Principal Michele Duroni believes the fellowship is a strong match for the experience and perspective Rohrer brings to education policy conversations.
“Dr. Alex Rohrer is exceptionally well qualified to participate in The Education Policy and Leadership Center’s Education Policy Fellowship Program,” Duroni said. “His strong understanding of the systemic barriers that influence educational outcomes, combined with his expertise in prevention science and the community school framework, provides him with a unique perspective on education reform.”
Duroni said Rohrer’s ability to engage thoughtfully with the people who shape education policy will allow him to contribute meaningful insights while strengthening the partnerships that support students locally.
For Rohrer, the fellowship connects the relationships built each day at Burrowes with the larger decisions shaping public education across Pennsylvania. He plans to bring what he learns back to Lancaster and use it to strengthen the work already underway for Burrowes students.