Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Julia Medina ’20 is one of 19 members of the first cohort of college graduates selected by the Connecticut Governor’s Innovation Fellowship (CTGIF) program. 

During the past academic year, CTNext, a subsidiary of Connecticut Innovations that supports entrepreneurs, has been working with Connecticut colleges and universities to recruit applicants for the first year of the CTGIF. The fellowship is an initiative to place Connecticut’s most promising college graduates in positions at some of the top companies in the state. Despite the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic, CTGIF was able to name 19 fellows in jobs at Stamford-based companies.

“As soon as I heard about my acceptance to the fellowship, I got so excited that I immediately told my family the great news,” said Medina, who majored in both Computer Science and Political Science. She will begin her career in information technology procurement at Sema4, a predictive health company and leader in diagnostic testing.

Beginning in September, Medina will be participating in a variety of workshops, seminars and social events with the other 18 fellows. An in-person, socially distanced, themed welcome event was held for all accepted fellows to meet each other before they begin their virtual programming later this month.

“I am so excited to watch these fellows explore their professional talent and make a difference in Connecticut,” said Wes Bemus, Executive Director of CTGIF. “These graduates are some of the best resources we have for our economy. They are the first generation of young professionals taking jobs that will lead Connecticut out of the pandemic and help us build more innovative, cutting-edge companies here in the state.”