From UConn to the New York State Senate: Madeline Doyle’s Fellowship Experience

July 23, 2026

Madeline Doyle, a Long Island, New York native, graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in May 2024 and a Master of Public Policy from the School of Public Policy in May 2025. She currently serves as a fellow in the New York Senate Fellowship, a selective program that places early-career professionals within the state legislature.

Madeline and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris.

Doyle learned about the opportunity through Handshake and in September of 2025 joined a cohort of 15 fellows. She was assigned to work with Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris, gaining experience at the New York State Capitol in Albany.

“Because I previously worked in the district office in the Senate and the Assembly, this wasn’t my first time, which was super helpful. But I would definitely say each representative’s office has a different vibe and different protocols,” Doyle said.

Her previous district office experience, where she focused on community engagement and constituent services, gave her a well-rounded understanding of how policy is developed and implemented. In her current role, Doyle works full-time in Senator Gianaris’s Albany office at the New York State Capitol, conducting legislative research, tracking bills, and supporting policy analysis.

“I got to go anytime I wanted into the Senate chamber and watch bills getting passed, which was something I had wanted to do – to see a bill from start to finish.”

That opportunity also introduced her to new policy areas.

“Senator Gianaris works on a variety of policy issues including labor and AI regulation. I didn’t know anything about those policy topics before I came here. So that was a really interesting areas to explore.”
Madeline in the Senate Chamber during the Fellowship Orientation, Sept 2025.

Her work has supported legislation including Senate Bill 9934, the Stealth Crawler Prohibition Act, promoting transparency in artificial intelligence online activity, and Senate Bill 8877, which creates mandatory disclosures for job advertisements to protect and provide greater transparency for online applicants.

“Some websites and companies post jobs that don’t actually exist. They’re just trying to collect resumes,” Doyle explained. “This bill would require companies to put disclosures on their job postings. For example, if they plan on hiring someone for that position within 30 days, they have to state that within the posting.”

Doyle noted that her academic background helped her navigate complex policy work and understand how different offices collaborate. Throughout the fellowship, her interests evolved into policy areas she hadn’t previously considered.

“I did not know anything about consumer protection as a policy area before,” she said. “How to make sure corporations aren’t taking advantage of consumers, ensuring consumers are getting fair prices, or that workers are getting fair compensation. That has definitely become a passion of mine.”
She also emphasized the importance of building professional connections. Through the fellowship, she has developed relationships with colleagues and fellow participants that have expanded her understanding of careers in public service.

“I became more intentional during my fellowship of reaching out to district offices, agencies, and organizations to introduce myself and my interest in future opportunities,” Doyle said.

Looking ahead, with Senator Gianaris’s impending retirement, Doyle will be wrapping up her current assignment in December. She’s exploring opportunities to remain involved in state government.

“I’ve met with a lot of people and I’m hoping that the connections I made will really pay off,” she said. 

She encourages current students to seek out hands-on experiences and build connections early, noting that initiative and relationships are key to entering public service.

Madeline and Team Gianaris on the last day of session. Left to right: Madeline; Kristina Kwacz, Director of Albany Operations for Senator Gianaris; Senator Gianaris; Anthony Jenouri, Legislative Director for Senator Gianaris.