The Hartwick College Institute of Public Service Welcomes Grace Nealon ’15 to its Leadership Council
The Hartwick College Institute of Public Service is proud to announce the newest member of its Leadership Council: Grace Nealon ’15. A political science major during her time at Hartwick, Nealon brings a strong record of legal, civic, and community engagement to the council.
After graduating magna cum laude from Hartwick in 2015, Nealon earned a law degree from Albany Law School and is now an associate at Haynes Boone in New York City.
Throughout her legal career, she has demonstrated a commitment to public service, including pro bono legal work on asylum and domestic violence cases, organizing professional clothing drives for underserved women, and leading the transgender name-change project at two law firms. Nealon has also served as the primary liaison, facilitating over a dozen legal name changes in collaboration with the Advocates for Trans Equality.
“We are honored to have Grace join the Leadership Council,” said Laurel Elder, co-director of the institute. “Her understanding of the law, commitment to helping others, as well as her insights as a millennial, are incredibly valuable to the work we are doing to engage young people in our democracy.”
Nealon joins nine other Hartwick College alumni on the Leadership Council, each a leader in their respective fields. Since its launch in September 2023, the Hartwick College Institute of Public Service has worked to inspire and prepare the next generation of public servants.
The institute’s programming has resulted in several Hartwick students serving in local government and the College hosting an official polling place this fall for the first time in its history.
The institute’s 2025-26 programming will include a range of programming to help strengthen democracy in our region, including an event featuring Governor Jeb Bush in conversation with Hartwick students, six weeks of voter registration, an “I Voted” sticker design competition in area public schools, innovative public service internships and a Moot Court competition.
The Leadership Council plays a vital role in shaping the institute’s vision, programming and impact. Council member and Hartwick College Trustee Raymond “Larry” Miller ’73 generously pledged to match donations up to $50,000 annually for five years, helping to support the institute’s continued growth and reach.
To learn more about the Hartwick Institute of Public Service or to support its work, visit https://www.hartwick.edu/institutepublicservice.
