[img_assist|nid=18|title=Alex Castellanos|desc=Getty Images|link=none|align=middle|width=420|height=281]

Harvard University's Institute of Politics announced the names of six major political figures on Monday that will be resident fellows at the Kennedy School of Government next fall.

The fellows span the gamut ideologically and include heavyweights Alex Castellanos, former Governor Mitt Romney's media consultant during his presidential bid this year, and former Iowa Governor and Democratic presidential candidate Tom Vilsack. They will interact with students and pursue their own writing projects at the school.

"This extraordinary group of Fellows range from one of the preeminent governors in America, to the highest ranking woman in the Central Intelligence Agency, to one of the most respected diplomats in the Muslim world, to America’s foremost expert on internet politics, to a talented presidential media consultant, to a gifted young journalist and television analyst," the Institute of Politics Director and former Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa) said.

Here is breakdown of the 2008 fall fellows:

Once dubbed the "father of the modern attack ad" by Salon.com, Alex Castellanos is a founding partner of National Media Inc. He shaped former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney's media campaign during his run for the presidency this year. He also played a major role in developing President George W. Bush's media message in his 2004 campaign.

[img_assist|nid=19|title=Gov. Tom Vilsack|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=144|height=180]Vilsack was the governor of Iowa from 1999 to 2007. He briefly ran for president this year before bowing out of the race to become co-chair of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign. He is also a former chair of the Democratic Governor's association and a former executive committee member of the National Governors Association. He was also rumored to be a possible vice presidential candidate when he ended his presidential run.

Mary Margaret Graham is a former deputy director of national intelligence for collection. In this role, Graham worked to coordinate the collection of intelligence from 15 intelligence agencies. She is also a retired senior CIA officer and earned the National Intelligence Medal of Achievement in 1996 and the Donovan Award in 2001, which is given to and "individual who has rendered distinguished service in the interests of the democratic process and the cause of freedom," according to the Office of Strategic Services Society web site.

Political director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, Jennifer Donahue is a frequent on-air political analyst. She is also a contributor to the Huffington Post.

Dr. Maleeha Lodhi served as Pakistan's high commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2003 to 2008. She was also Pakistan's ambassador to the United States from 1994 to 1997 and again from 1999 to 2002. She is widely considered one of the most accomplished women professionals in the Muslim world.

Nicco Mele was the internet operations director in former Vermont Governor Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign that is recognized as changing the way presidential candidates campaign and raise money in the Internet age.