May 2026 Student Spotlight
Isabel Torres, Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs ’27
Can you tell us about the Obama-Chesky Voyager scholarship?
The Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship has truly been life-changing for me. It is a two-year leadership and public service program that provides students with mentorship, networking opportunities, and lifelong resources to support their growth as future leaders in public service. A major component of the program is the opportunity to complete a fully self-designed “Summer Voyage” between junior and senior year, where scholars travel to explore an issue they are passionate about through hands-on learning and cross-cultural engagement.
[Soon] I’ll be departing for my Summer Voyage, where I’ll be traveling to Mexico City, Copenhagen, and Casablanca. My focus will be on understanding the different ways how governments and nonprofit organizations prepare students for post-secondary success through guidance, mentorship, and skill-building initiatives.
What has your Marxe School BSPA experience been like thus far?
I’m a transfer student from Queensborough Community College, where I earned my Associate degree in Business Administration, so coming to the Marxe School has been an incredibly transformative experience. In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve gained an immense amount of knowledge, perspective, and practical skills related to public service and policy.
What drew me to Marxe was not only its strong alignment with my interests in public service, but also its incredible sense of community. We are a small but mighty community of students who are supportive, collaborative, and deeply driven, and that close-knit atmosphere is exactly what attracted me to the school. I also really value the many lecture series, panels, and presentation events hosted by Marxe. They all have exposed me to new ideas, perspectives, and conversations that continue to expand me both personally and academically.
Do you have any favorite professors, classes, or lessons you’ve learned?
I’ve genuinely enjoyed every Marxe professor I’ve had so far. They are all deeply knowledgeable, passionate about their fields, and committed to preparing students for careers in public service. Two classes that especially stood out to me were Reforming Education with Judith Kafka and Public Service and Why it Matters with Samantha MacBride, each for different reasons.
In PAF 3006, Professor MacBride encouraged us to think creatively and develop programs that address issues within our own communities. That class taught me how much research, strategy, and collaboration go into creating meaningful public initiatives and solutions.
In Reforming Education, I gained a much deeper understanding of the American education system and the historical and social forces that shape it. The course completely changed the way I think about education, opportunity, and the role schools play in society. Both classes challenged me intellectually and helped shape the way I approach public service work.
What got you interested in public service?
My interest in public service really began during my time with the Women’s Committee of Plumbers Union Local 1, where I participated in a variety of volunteer initiatives. That experience introduced me to the impact that community-centered work can have and helped me realize how deeply aligned I felt with serving others.
Through the Women’s Committee, I met Judaline Cassidy, founder of Tools & Tiaras, and my work alongside her gave me a greater understanding of the organizational and leadership side of public service. One experience that especially stayed with me was helping lead a plumbing workshop for girls ages 6–12 at the Saratoga Homes for the Homeless. Seeing the confidence and excitement those young girls gained from being introduced to new skills and possibilities was incredibly powerful, and it reinforced for me that this is the type of work I want to dedicate my life to.
