Davis Yewell and other Fellows tour the Port of Baltimore.
The 2026 class of Maryland Department of Transportation Fellows begins their journey with us this week. Previous students received valuable experience during their time with the department including seeing how government works and the many enriching careers within public service. Davis Yewell joined us as a Public Service Scholar during the summer of 2024. As we welcome the MDOT Fellows class of 2026, Davis takes a moment to reflect on how his passion for walking and biking transformed into a valuable resource for the department and the foundational skills he developed during his time with us.
—
In the summer of 2024, I had the honor of participating in the Maryland Public Service Scholars (MPSS) program as a fellow at the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT). MPSS fellows are placed with mentors across a wide range of organizations, including state agencies like MDOT, local nonprofit organizations, and even the Governor’s Office. The MPSS fellowship entails a meaningful level of commitment beyond the internship itself, emphasizing professional development and public service. I could not recommend this program more strongly.
The skills I developed during my time as an MDOT Fellow were invaluable, and the program’s support team organized networking events, LinkedIn profile workshops, and other professional development opportunities rarely taught in school. MPSS fellows gain a unique opportunity as college students to work closely with mentors in their respective fields, connections that can easily jumpstart a career.
Over the course of the summer, I worked on multiple assignments as well as “extracurricular” activities across the state. MPSS fellows are granted access to some incredible places. One week, we received a guided tour of the State House in Annapolis, followed by a Q&A session with state delegates and legislative assistants. We also had behind-the-scenes access to the Port of Baltimore and to the new baggage handling system and terminal project at BWI Airport, with tours led by industry experts and policymakers.
Former Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld and Deputy Secretary Samantha Biddle join Davis Yewell and other Fellows at a presentation.
For a transportation enthusiast like myself, there is nowhere I would rather be than walking through restricted areas wearing a hard hat. I have always been passionate about active transportation; biking or walking has often been the most convenient way for me to get around my corner of Montgomery County. However, I recognize that my experience is not universal. Many Americans, including Marylanders, do not have the privilege of walking to school or biking to the grocery store safely or comfortably. Challenges like these are what led me to the planning field, and having the opportunity to address them in my own community was a privilege.
My mentor, Kandese Holford, leads the Office of Active Transportation and Micromobility, which was recently formed to better address Marylanders’ needs related to walking, biking, and rolling. My primary responsibility, and proudest accomplishment of the summer, was developing a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) coordinator resource guide. Children’s safety on their way to school should never be at risk, yet many areas across the state still present unsafe conditions for walking, biking, or waiting for a bus. Throughout the summer, I spoke with dozens of individuals across MDOT and partner agencies who shared our commitment to safety and generously connected me with additional resources and expertise.
By combining this collective knowledge with my own research, I produced a comprehensive draft packet outlining available resources and specific processes for applying to and receiving grants. I ultimately presented the final product to the Assistant Secretary. Recently, I learned from my mentor that Maryland’s Safe Routes to School program is expanding and that my work continues to be used and refined.
Davis Yewell helps collect litter underneath a walkway.
Perhaps most importantly, the MDOT Fellowship provided a strong foundation and a sense of purpose. It demonstrated how impactful public service can be and inspired me to pursue opportunities where I can contribute to meaningful, long-term outcomes. After recently graduating from the University of Wisconsin in Landscape and Urban Studies, I plan on pursuing a Masters in Urban Planning to continue improving the built environment, making a safer, healthier, more convenient world for all.
I remain deeply grateful for the mentorship, experience, and perspective I gained during my time with MDOT, and I would highly recommend the fellowship to anyone interested in transportation, public service, or applied policy work.
Davis Yewell was a 2024 MDOT Fellow