Meadows Class of 2026 Graduates Selected for Inaugural U.S. Chamber of Commerce Fellowship Program

Two 2026 SMU Meadows graduates have been selected for an exclusive new fellowship program with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, launching in Washington, D.C. this summer.

Molly Medeiros, who graduated with a degree in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs (CCPA), and Grace Williams, who graduated with a degree in Journalism and Fashion Media, were chosen through a competitive three-round interview process to join the inaugural cohort of the Chamber’s New Fight for Free Enterprise Fellowship. SMU Meadows was one of only two schools in the nation invited to partner with the Chamber on the initiative, alongside the University of Southern California.

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with SMU Meadows on the New Fight for Free Enterprise Fellowship and these students stood out immediately,” says Doug Vinish, Vice President of Talent Acquisition for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “Their creativity, intellectual rigor, and leadership potential reflect the kind of talent we know will thrive in this inaugural cohort.”

The year-long paid fellowship places recent graduates in a small cohort of emerging communications professionals who will rotate across teams within the Chamber’s communications division, work alongside senior leaders, and complete a capstone project focused on storytelling, policy communication and advocacy. The program also creates pathways to future full-time roles and graduate opportunities.

For Medeiros, she was first drawn to the fellowship as an opportunity to return to the nation’s capital after spending the previous summer interning in the White House Communications Office. After learning more about the Chamber’s mission and communications work, she felt inspired by the organization’s focus and passion, knowing it was a place where she could launch a meaningful career.

This fellowship will allow Mederios to build on both her experience in the CCPA program as well as her time at the White House, where she learned the critical importance of clear messaging, strategic communication and transparency in serving the public.

“It was an invaluable opportunity that deepened my understanding of how effective communication can shape public perception and drive meaningful impact,” Mederios explains of how her internship set her up for success in the fellowship. “I’m looking forward to gaining hands-on experience, building meaningful relationships, and learning more about how messaging and communications play a pivotal role in the fight for free enterprise.”

The fellowship’s mentorship opportunities and rotational structure initially drew Williams to the program, particularly as she continues exploring different career paths within communications. And with storytelling at the heart of both fashion media and journalism, Williams is well-suited for the fellowship. Whether it’s communicating designs to audiences or delivering breaking news to the SMU public, her undergraduate education has prepared her to pursue work in communications at the professional level.

“I want to take the tools I’ve learned studying communications at SMU and translate them into real-world experiences,” says Williams. “I hope to gain a stronger understanding of the differing roles within the communications department and how each effectively aids the mission of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”

The selection of Medeiros and Williams for the highly competitive fellowship underscores the caliber of students emerging from Meadows’ communications programs. As members of the inaugural cohort, both graduates will help shape the future of the fellowship while gaining experience at one of the nation’s leading business advocacy organizations. Vinish and his team at the Chamber are excited for what’s to come, this summer and beyond.

“We are proud to welcome these fellows into our communications division and look forward to the impact they will make, both here at the Chamber and throughout their careers.”