By Jim Hague
Reporter staff writer
It’s safe to say that Julissa Marenco has always been a very determined and very driven young woman.
When she was growing up in North Bergen, Marenco aspired to pursue a career in broadcasting, and she’s done exactly that, working her way from the sales department at WZDC-TV Telemundo Channel 25 in Washington, D.C. to eventually becoming the Spanish-language station’s general manager three years ago.
“I wanted to work in television since I was in high school,” said Marenco, a 1993 graduate of North Bergen High School. “Ask anyone who knew me back then and they’ll tell you.”
Marenco, the sister of North Bergen Board of Education president Julio Marenco, went to Rowan University and majored in communications with the ultimate goal of working in the television industry. For the last nine years, Marenco has been an employee of Telemundo, first in New York, then Washington.
Last year, Marenco learned about the White House Fellows program, which offers young professional men and women the chance to receive first-hand experience working at the highest levels of federal government.
The program, founded in 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, enables the young professionals to work for a year for one of the federal agencies, then take the knowledge and experience they gain and serve their country as leaders and public servants.
Competitive position
Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of remarkable professional achievement, evidence of leadership skills, a strong commitment to public service, and the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute successfully at the highest levels of the federal government.
After learning about the program, Marenco decided to apply. The initial application was due back in February.
“There are a significant number of applicants and there is a lengthy application process, complete with essay questions,” Marenco said.
From the nearly 2,000 applicants from all walks of life from all parts of the country, Marenco was part of the narrowed field of 107 applicants. The process continued with a series of interviews by a host of government officials. From the field of 107, the group was sliced to 32 and Marenco was one of the finalists.
“That process took a couple of days,” Marenco said. “It was pretty nerve wracking. There was a panel who asked a series of questions. I got to know most of the finalists, and every single one of them was fantastic. I thought they were all incredible. I didn’t know if I had a shot.”
But last month, Marenco received word that she was appointed to serve as one of the 15 White House Fellows for 2007-08.
One of 15
Marenco, who will take a leave of absence from her full-time job at Telemundo Channel 25, will be officially sworn in August and will begin her year-long fellowship Sept. 1. She doesn’t know what her assignment will be, and which agency in the federal government she will be working with, but she’s definitely ready nonetheless.
“I’m very excited,” the 31-year-old Marenco said. “I’m getting the chance to learn about the federal government from the other side. I’m going to learn from the greatest leaders in the world. It’s an incredible opportunity for me. Hopefully, I will attain some insight from their leadership skills that I can take with me in my career.”
Marenco said that Telemundo has been very supportive of her aspirations of becoming a White House Fellow.
“They’re excited and happy for me,” Marenco said. “I’ll have my job when I’m done next year. I will be placed in one of the agencies and I’ll be a special assistant within that agency. But I have no idea where I’ll be placed. I’m pretty much open to any agency. As much as I’d love to get into the broadcast field in the White House, I’m also open to learning about some other things. Whatever happens, it still will be exciting. I want to see government at work.”
Marenco said that she’s also grateful to get the opportunity during the final year of President Bush’s term in office.
“It’s going to be an incredible part of history,” Marenco said. “It’s really going to be exciting to be a part of it.”
Impressive alumni
The field of White House Fellows comes from all different walks of life, including medicine, law, finance, engineering, education and state government. Marenco is the lone member of the select 15 who works in the media. Also, three branches of the United States Military will be represented as well.
In the past, the White House Fellows program has produced some impressive leaders from all walks of life, including Former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, former CNN president Tom Johnson, CNN medical director Dr. Sunjay Gupta, author Doris Kearns Goodwin, former Presidential candidate Wesley Clark, U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, and U.S. Representative Joe Barton.
“Those are some pretty impressive people,” Marenco said. “I’m honored to be in that class.”
Needless to say, Marenco’s had a pretty impressive career herself.
“It’s a little crazy to think of all that’s happened,” Marenco said. “I have been very blessed. Being in the television industry has been a lot of work, but a lot of fun. I think it’s the greatest job in the world. I’ve had a great opportunity working for Telemundo, first in New York and then D.C. I’ve watched our company grow tremendously over the last nine years. I’m doing what I want to do.”
Before she takes the oath of office as a White House Fellow, Marenco said that she plans to come home for a little while.
“I’ll get a little time off, so I’ll come back to North Bergen to see my parents, family and friends before I get started,” Marenco said. “Then I’ll be ready to go. I’m super excited about this chance.” And after she’s completed her year in the White House, who knows what’s next? Maybe a career in politics? “You never know,” she said.
Jim Hague can be reached via e-mail at either OGSMAR@aol.com or jhague@hudsonreporter.com