Area of Study
Public Affairs
Concentration: Public Policy

Why did you join the Program? I joined the Master of Public Affairs program because I want to deepen my expertise, expand my impact, and prepare for a career dedicated to advancing equity and protecting rights, especially for communities whose needs are often overlooked in policymaking.

What advice would you give to someone considering joining this program?  The main piece of advice I'd give is to believe in yourself and trust that you belong here. It’s easy to feel intimidated going into a graduate program, especially one that asks you to engage with big policy problems and develop skills you may not have mastered yet. But everyone comes in with different strengths, and you’ll grow faster than you expect. Trust yourself, stay curious, take chances, and surround yourself with people who lift you.

Did you do an internship? If yes, could you please share where you interned, how you found the internship, your experience, and role: I completed several internships during my undergraduate studies. I did two research internships with Vote Smart, where I helped collect, analyze, and organize political data to support voter education. I also interned with Scholars at Risk, an organization that protects threatened scholars and promotes academic freedom around the world. These experiences were a big part of why I chose to pursue the Master of Public Affairs program. I'm currently planning on working as a Medicaid Policy Intern this summer at the state level.

What is a fun fact about you? I can't function without my morning iced coffee.