Marxe Community Spotlights
View the full archive of Marxe student, faculty, and alumni spotlights.
September 2023

Rosemond Yeboah
Youth Speaker, United Nations Environment Program’s Major Group for Children and Youth
Our student spotlight this month features MIA student Rosemond Yeboah who tells us about her interest in international affairs, her role as youth speaker representing the United Nation’s Environment Program’s (UNEP) Major Group for Children and Youth, and more.

Aaron Zack
Substitute Associate Professor
Welcome to new professor Aaron Zack, who discusses his research on terrorism, domestic political violence, and international security, what he’ll be teaching this semester, and more in the academic year’s first Marxe faculty profile.

Sheila McDaniel
Deputy Director, Studio Museum in Harlem; Administrator, National Gallery of Art
In this month’s alumni spotlight, Executive MPA alumna Sheila McDaniel talks about her time at Marxe, her career in arts and culture, and how the two relate.
August 2023

Sofia Trevisani
Political Engagement Intern, The New York Immigration Coalition
In this month’s student spotlight Sofia Trevisani talks about becoming an activist, her interest in immigration as the daughter of Brazilian immigrants, and her experience in the Marxe School’s undergraduate program, the BSPA.

Gange He
Assistant Professor
We welcome Assistant Professor Gang He to the Marxe School and discuss his research, experiences, recent projects, two courses he will be teaching, and more.

Monique Watson
Fellow, Strategy Leadership Program, The College Board
Alumna Monique Watson discusses her first-generation upbringing, her Marxe MPA experience, her involvement in nonprofits and more in this month’s alumni spotlight.
July 2023

Staci Steinfeld
Dean Scholars Peer Mentor, Baruch College; Legislative Aide, New York State Senate
Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs (BSPA) student, Staci Steinfeld tells us about her internship at the New York State Senate, being a peer mentor in the Baruch Dean’s Scholars honors program, and more.

Felicia Arriaga
Assistant Professor
In our faculty spotlight this month, Assistant Professor Felicia Arriaga discusses social justice, passes along an enlightening graphic on the prison industrial complex, and offers some insight on her new book, Behind Crimmigration: ICE, Law Enforcement, and Resistance in America.

Somia El-Rowmeim
Founder and Executive Director, Women's Empowerment Coalition NYC
In this spotlight, EMPA student Somia El-Rowmeim talks about her role as director at the Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC, her involvement in the Union of Arab Women, and what drives her love of community.
June 2023

Breanna Leung
Trade Specialist Intern, U.S. Commercial Service
Breanna Leung is a student who comes from a fashion background, having majored in international trade and marketing, before coming to Marxe for her Master in International Affairs degree. How do the pieces fit? She talks about that and more, including her public affairs role at NYC Health + Hospitals in Kings County, her internship with the U.S. Trade Administration, and more.

Nicole Gordon
Distinguished Lecturer and Faculty Director of the Executive MPA Program
In this month’s spotlight, we speak to the Distinguished Lecturer and Faculty Director of the Executive MPA (EMPA) program, Nicole Gordon. She talks about the EMPA experience, what makes its students remarkable, her new co-authored book, and more.

Alidia Vane
County Planner, Augusta County in Virginia
In this month’s alumni spotlight, MPA alumna Alidia Vane tells us about her job as Planner for Augusta County in Virginia, her past role at NYC Parks, and how the Marxe School has helped her pursue a career in community engagement.
May 2023

Minji Ham
Marxe Graduate Research Assistant, Baruch College
MPA Candidate and Graduate Research Assistant, Minji Ham discusses her research assistantship, favorite classes, and her role at the U.S. branch of the Governor’s Association of Korea.

Legacy Spotlight
University Professor and Faculty Director of MSEd-HEA Program Scott Evenbeck
In this month’s Legacy Spotlight, we revisit then new Professor Scott Evenbeck, who talks about his teaching and involvement in the Higher Education Administration program, CUNY’s role in the future of New York City, and more.

Donald Duggan
Owner, Duggan Consulting LLC
In this month’s alumni spotlight, Marxe alumnus Donald Duggan talks about his interest in nonprofits and youth welfare, and how the MPA program allowed him to become a better equipped leader in the field of child welfare.
April 2023

Heather Foye
Former Nuclear Policy Intern, Arms Control Association
Master of International Affairs student Heather Foye discusses her experience in the Marxe School’s Washington Semester, including her D.C. internship at the Arms Control Association, her chosen concentration of national security, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Ryan A. Smith
Diversity is a critical part of SPIA’s identity, more than half of our students and alumni are from traditionally under-represented groups, and many of our professors engage in vital discourse and research projects concerning it. In this month’s Faculty Legacy Spotlight, we revisit Professor Ryan A. Smith who discusses the challenges of workplace diversity, his fascinating research projects (including an ongoing analysis of death row inmates’ last statements), and more.

Jesse Aman
Senior Associate, Capalino
In this month’s alumni spotlight, Jesse Aman talks about her professors, her role on the Legislative & Political Affairs team at Capalino, and her place on the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) New York City Chapter Board.
March 2023

Stasik Winderbaum
Congressional Internship, U.S. House of Representative
MPA student Stasik Winderbaum tells us about his Congressional Internship at the U.S. House of Representatives, how his background in the arts is consistent with his work in public affairs, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Associate Professor Anna D’Souza
In this month’s special Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) focused faculty spotlight, Associate Professor Anna D’Souza tells us about the Marxe School’s DEI Fridays.

Breanna Reynolds
Account Supervisor, BerlinRosen
Master of International Affairs (MIA) alumna Breanna Reynolds talks about solutions to the climate crisis; her role at the communications agency, BerlinRosen; and her Marxe MIA experience in this month’s alumni spotlight.
February 2023

Malik James
Executive Director of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC), New York City Council
We speak to MPA student Malik James about his position with the New York City Council as Executive Director of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC), his hiatus from – and aspirations for – the MPA program, and more in this month’s student spotlight.

Legacy Spotlight
Associate Professor and Director of CNSM George Mitchell
In this special Research Center-focused Legacy Faculty Spotlight from 2021, we talk to Associate Professor and Director of CNSM, George Mitchell, about his then new appointment as director of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management (CNSM).

Kim Sillen
Co-Founder, The Largest Generation: A Youth Voter Advocacy Project
This month we talk to MPA alumna Kim Sillen who is an artist and designer as well as Co-Founder of The Largest Generation: A Youth Voter Advocacy Project. She tells us about her artistic approach to government projects, political activism and advocacy, and her Marxe MPA experience.
January 2023

Henry Chen
Safety Manager, MTA Headquarters’ Office of the Chief Safety Officer
In our first student spotlight of 2023, we hear from Henry Chen who tells us about his role as Safety Manager at the MTA Headquarters’ Office of the Chief Safety Officer, his role as team leader for the BSPA program’s consulting project, and more.

Ashley Gaskew
Assistant Professor
We welcome Assistant Professor Ashley Gaskew to the Marxe School and discuss the two courses she is teaching during her first academic year at the School, her higher education-based research, and more.

Anastacia Pal
FEMA Regional Preparedness Liaison, Teracore, Inc.
In January’s alumni spotlight, we connect with Master of International Affairs alumna Anastacia Pal and discuss COVID-related legislation review, liaising with FEMA in her role as Regional Preparedness Liaison at Teracore Inc., and more.
December 2022

Shahnoza Kurbonshoeva
Data Analyst
In this month’s student spotlight, MPA candidate Shahnoza Kurbonshoeva tells us about her recent fellowship with Coding it Forward, her interest in civic technology, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Associate Professor Angie Beeman
Hear from our then-new faculty member, Associate Professor Angie Beeman, who tells us about the problem with certain progressive attitudes toward people of color, how she addresses the themes of racism and inequity in her teaching and how she believes race-based education will evolve in the near future.

Robin Taylor
Excelsior Fellow, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
In this month’s alumni spotlight we spoke with MIA graduate and Excelsior Fellow, Robin Taylor. She tells us about her performing arts background, her goals for her Fellowship at the NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, and more.
November 2022

Lindsey McCormack
Director of Development, Rights CoLab
Master of International Affairs student Lindsey McCormack tells us about her work as Director of Development for Rights CoLab, her experience in the MIA program, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
University Professor and Faculty Director of the Higher Ed Administration Program, Scott Evenbeck
In this Legacy Spotlight we welcomed then-new professor Scott Evenbeck to the School and spoke about his teaching and involvement in the Higher Education Administration program, CUNY’s role in the future of New York City, and more.

Amy Sohn
Press Secretary, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
In this month’s alumni spotlight, MPA alumna Amy Sohn tells us about her newest book, The Man Who Hated Women: Sex, Censorship and Civil Liberties in the Gilded Age, her new role at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice as press secretary, and more.
October 2022

Jacques St.Cloud
Assistant Vice President, New York City Economic Development Corporation
MPA student, Jacques St.Cloud, shares with us his program experience at the Marxe school, the achievements and challenges he’s faced throughout his career, shares details of his current position, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor and Faculty Director of the MPA John Casey
In this Legacy Spotlight from 2020, Professor Casey talks about his approach to teaching, his research projects (including one on skiing, which he describes as typically a “rich person’s sport”), and his time away on sabbatical.

Joanna Green
Excelsior Fellow,New York State Department of Health
We speak to Excelsior Fellow and Marxe MPA alumna, Joanna Green, about her summer position working as a VISTA NYC Program Coordinator for the Summer Associate Program at Hunger Free America, her involvement with the MPA club, her time as a Graduate Research Fellow and Teaching Assistant working with Professor Deborah Balk, and much more.
September 2022

Sandra Raafat
Project Manager, Purpose Foundation
In this month’s Student Spotlight we speak with MPA candidate, Sandra Raafat. She tells us about her Marxe Dean’s Fellowship experience, her previous roles at the Marxe School, her interest in law and public policy, and much more.

Legacy Spotlight
Assistant Professor Rahul Pathak
In this Faculty Legacy Spotlight from 2017, we spoke to then new faculty member Rahul Pathak about the courses he’ll be teaching at the Marxe School, the research he has been doing, and his interests in public finance and social policy.

Ashley Roselló
Production Support and Editor, Keep Safe
MIA alumna, Ashley Roselló, shares with us her experience while working as an Emergency Management Specialist at FEMA, why she decided to pursue an MIA degree at the Marxe School, how her studies have been while at the school, and more.
August 2022

Nara Sandberg
Communications Graduate Intern, Global Public Health at Johnson & Johnson
MPA candidate, Nara Sandberg, who is passionate about public health and sustainability tells us about her summer internship at Johnson & Johnson and more in this month’s student spotlight.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Dan Williams
In this Legacy Spotlight, Professor Dan Williams tells us about his new book on participatory budgeting and his approach to remote instruction.

Victoria Gnerre
Graduate Admissions Advisor at Yeshiva University
Alumna Victoria Gnerre (MSEd-HEA ’22) talks about her involvement at Baruch College, her experience in the MSEd-HEA program, her approach to HEA, and more.
July 2022

Amiyah Young
Research Intern at Columbia Climate School
This month’s student spotlight, Amiyah Young (BSPA), is a highly accomplished individual who has been accepted for the nationally competitive Columbia Climate School Research for Undergraduates Program funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). We discuss her experience volunteering and assisting abroad, her time working at the New York State Senate, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Robert C. Smith
In this past Legacy Spotlight we spoke to Professor Robert C. Smith. Take a look at this recap interview as we discussed Trump’s wall, how to make immigrant communities safer, and more.

Samaira Kempner
Onboarding Account Manager at Justworks
Marxe alumna, Samaira Kempner, recently started a new position as Onboarding Account Manager at Justworks! We discuss Samaira’s Hagedorn Internship class experience, the challenges she has faced while working for Dress for Success, and more.
June 2022

Tenneth Fairclough II
Polling Analyst at Data for Progress
Marxe MIA student, Tenneth Fairclough II, tells us about the organization and his role as Polling Analyst at Data for Progress, his journey throughout the years at the Marxe School, and what has driven him to pursue a MIA degree.

Legacy Spotlight
Marxe Chair of International Affairs and Professor Zachariah Mampilly
Dr. Zachariah Mampilly tells us his thoughts on the MIA program, the fellowships he is working on, what courses he is looking forward to teaching, and much more.

Maia Roseval
Sustainability Manager at Farmingdale State College
MPA Alumna, Maia Roseval, joins us to discuss her research with Professor Mampilly on African rebel groups and uprisings, her work for the Fund for the City of New York as a Community Planning Fellow, and what drove her to pursue a second Master’s degree.
May 2022

Lia Harutyunyan
Artist of painting titled Indestructible
Marxe BSPA student, Lia Harutyunyan, introduces us to her world of art and talks about her painting Indestructible for Evelyn Simien’s book talk on Historic Firsts in U.S. Elections.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Douglas Muzzio
We speak to Marxe Professor Douglas Muzzio about his deeply-rooted interests in all things New York City and his new book.

Patrick G. Masseo
Director of Strategic Initiatives at 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds
MPA alumnus Patrick Masseo, Director of Strategic Initiatives at 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds, tells us about his current position, his previous work experience, and the various work he had done as part of the COVID-19 response.
April 2022

Giselle Guerrero
Community Planning Fellow at Fund for the City of New York and a Consultant at El Barrio Bikes
In this month’s Student Spotlight we speak with MPA student, Giselle Guerrero. She tells us about her current position as a consultant for El Barrio Bikes, and her role as a Community Planning Fellow at Fund for the City of New York.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Don Waisanen
Congratulations to Marxe Professor Don Waisanen for receiving the Con Edison Social and Behavioral Research Award! In this special edition of Faculty Spotlight, he tells us about his research which focuses on what prevents people from reporting gas leaks. The project stands to contribute to an understanding of what types of communication can motivate people to take action on important societal issues.

Lauren D. Nye
Director of Operations at the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD)
Director of Operations at the Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD), Lauren Nye, tells us more about her role, the challenges she’s faced, and what drew her towards nonprofit operations.
March 2022

Jennifer Chinn
Director of Youth and Community Partnerships at Trinity Church Wall Street
In this month’s student spotlight we talk to Executive MPA student and Director of Youth & Community Partnerships at Trinity Church Wall Street, Jennifer Chinn about her background in arts and hospitality, subsequent transition to community engagement, and her Executive MPA experience at Marxe.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Thomas Main
In our Special Edition Faculty Publication Spotlight we speak to Marxe Professor Thomas Main about his new book, The Rise of Illiberalism.

Joel Desouve
Special Assistant to CM Rita Joseph & Infrastructure Policy Advisor,New York City Council
Marxe alumnus and Special Assistant to CM Rita Joseph & Infrastructure Policy Advisor at the New York City Council, Joel Desouve tells us all about his MPA experience; his research with Professor Pathak which studies budgets voted and executed for more than 20 years for Senegal, Uganda, Rwanda, and 30 other countries; and his various fellowships, internships, and more.
February 2022

Katrell Lewis
Vice President, Government & Community Partnerships at Habitat for Humanity NYC & Westchester
In this month’s student spotlight we talk with Katrell Lewis, who is taking the Urban Development and Sustainability track of the MPA program. Katrell tells us about his recent promotion at Habitat for Humanity, his Marxe School experience, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Neil G. Bennett
The CUNY Institute for Demographic Research (CIDR), located at Baruch College, brings together demographers from throughout the University and is the focal point for demographic research and training taking place at CUNY. Professor Neil G. Bennett, who is the Director of CIDR, was among the group of faculty who helped to create this unique CUNY-wide initiative a decade ago. In this legacy spotlight, he talks with us about CIDR and his career in demography, what he enjoys most in teaching, and about his ongoing research projects.

Alyssa Alicino
Management Consulting Manager at Accenture
We welcome back BSPA alumna Alyssa Alicino who was our first student spotlight way back in 2014. We catch up with her to find out about what she’s been up to, including her new role at Accenture.
January 2022

Cerlyn Ellis
Senior Systems Analyst at NYC Health + Hospitals
Cerlyn Ellis talks about her role in health care, her interest in women’s health and immigration, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Professor Neil Hernandez
Professor Hernandez tells us about his research on the US immigration system, his work as an asylum officer, and his pedagogical aspirations for his then return to the Marxe School.

Wooserk Park
MPA Alumnus
Former Policy and Research Assistant at the Marxe School’s Howard J. Samuels State and City Policy Center, Wooserk Park discusses his research at the Center, what it’s like to work in research, and more.
December 2021

Arden Armbruster
MPA Candidate
MPA candidate Arden Armbruster sees the arts as a social service and tells us how she approaches this connection and more in this month’s student spotlight.

Legacy Spotlight
Assistant Professor, William Casey Boland
In this legacy faculty spotlight we spoke to Assistant Professor William Casey Boland about his punk rock past, how the teachings of punk rock relate to public affairs, and his interest on state and federal public policies on higher education.

Roy Frias
Emergency Management Coordinator at the NYC Department of Education
We speak to alumnus Roy Frias about the challenges of emergency management, his social action projects, and more.
November 2021

Jael Henry
MPA Candidate
We talk about Jael Henry’s work in CUNY’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion incubator, his Research Assistantship with professor Sonia Jarvis, and more.

George Mitchell
Associate Professor
We talk to Associate Professor George Mitchell about his new appointment as director of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management (CNSM) in this special Research Center-focused faculty spotlight.

Sophiko Lomineishvili
Projects’ Officer at Sustainable Caucasus
Alumna and Projects’ Officer at Sustainable Caucasus, Sophiko Lomineishvili joins us to discuss her interest in climate and energy, her Master of International Affairs studies in climate and governance, and her professional efforts to address climate change.
October 2021

David Unger
Program Coordinator at CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies and MPA Student
David Unger talks about his work as a labor union organizer, the labor movement in general, and his Marxe MPA experience.

Professor and Luciano Chair of Health Care Policy
Jessica Greene
In this legacy faculty spotlight Jessica Greene shared her views on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and her opinion on what it could mean to repeal and replace it.

Keona Campbell
Senior Associate, People Operations at Sidewalk Lab
Keona Campbell talks her transition to the tech sector, her role at Sidewalk Labs, and more.
September 2021

Phumelele Khumalo
Master of International Affairs Student
Phumelele discusses her transition to the Marxe School, the MIA, and her internship for the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador to Africa

Professor
Thomas Main
In our very first Special Edition Faculty Publication Spotlight we speak to Marxe Professor Thomas Main about his new book, The Rise of Illiberalism.

Rasheed Malik
Associate Director of Research for Early Childhood Policy at the Center for American Progress
Alumnus Rasheed Malik (who is Associate Director of Research for Early Childhood Policy at the Center for American Progress) tells us about the American problem of childcare access, his Marxe undergraduate experience in the BSPA program, and more.
August 2021

Niels Hansen
Creative Director and Founder at Hansen Creative Services
Executive MPA student Niels Hansen tells us about his LGTBQ+ activism, his Danish heritage, marketing psychology, and more.

Legacy Spotlight
Substitute Assistant Professor, Liza Bolitzer
In this legacy faculty spotlight from 2019 we spoke to then new faculty member Liza Bolitzer about her beginnings as a college teacher and how that led to her research on higher education.

Jonathan Prevost
Chief Of Staff, Office of Legislator Debra Mulé
We talk about activism, unexpected challenges of the pandemic, his Marxe education, and more with MPA alumnus Jonathan Prevost, who is chief of staff at the Office of Legislator Debra Mulé.
July 2021

Lydia Aponte
Executive MPA
Director of Human Resources and Diversity and Inclusion at the New York City Housing Corporation, Lydia Aponte talks human resource management during the pandemic, remote learning at Marxe, and more.

Marxe Chair in Western Hemisphere Affairs and Professor, Desmond Arias
Legacy Spotlight
In this legacy faculty spotlight we speak to Desmond Arias about teaching, the MIA, traveling, and his book and research on crime in South American cities.

Ryan Young
Diversity Programs Compliance Coordinator, Modern Times, Inc.
MPA graduate and Diversity Programs Compliance Coordinator at Modern Times, Inc., Ryan Young tells us about his interests, career, and the importance of diversity.
June 2021

Maria Dedvukaj
Practice Manager at Hospital for Special Surgery, Trauma Department
Maria Dedvukaj tells us about her role at the Hospital, her interest in immigration rights, and more in this month’s student spotlight.

Clinical Professor
Carla Robbins
In this faculty legacy spotlight from 2015 Clinical Professor Carla Robbins discusses her career in journalism, and what she learns from her own students, and more.

Hermanoschy Bernard
Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellow at the U.S. Department of State
Hermanoschy Bernard discusses his desire to become a U.S. Diplomat, his journey from Haiti to the U.S. and Baruch College, and more.
May 2021

Jesse Bennett
Research & Policy Analyst at AsylumConnect
MIA student and Research & Policy Analyst at AsylumConnect, Jesse Bennett tells us about her research on refugee rights, her work with the International Rescue Committee, and more.

Scott Evenbeck
University Professor
We welcome new professor Scott Evenbeck to the School with a faculty spotlight on his teaching and involvement in the Higher Education Administration program, CUNY’s role in the future of New York City, and more.

Kenya Kirkman
Senior Program Coordinator, Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health
In this special Mental Health Awareness Month spotlight, we speak to to alumna, self-described Social Impact Professional, and Senior Program Coordinator at the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, Kenya Kirkman.
April 2021

Caroline Greig
Assistant Director of Education at New Alternatives for Children
Assistant Director of Education at New Alternatives for Children, Caroline Greig tells us about her career, her Marxe Executive MPA experience, and her take on the recent evolution of education and special education, for better or worse.

Angie Beeman
Associate Professor
Hear from new faculty member, Associate Professor Angie Beeman who tells us about the problem with certain progressive attitudes toward people of color, how she addresses the themes of racism and inequity in her teaching and how she believes race-based education will evolve in the near future.

Jacquelyn Simone
MPA '20
Alumna and Senior Policy Analyst at Coalition for the Homeless, Jacquelyn Simone is an advocate for the homeless in New York City. In this spotlight, she discusses the challenges of the pandemic on the homelessness crisis, the obstacles of hostile architecture and over-policing, the psychology behind how we think of the homeless, and more.
March 2021

Nave Strauss
Executive MPA '21
We speak to Director of Street Tree Planting at the NYC Dept. of Parks and Recreation and Executive MPA candidate, Nave Strauss about his article in The Atlantic, his New York City tree planting initiative, and more.

Asli Leblebicioglu
Marxe Chair in International Economics and Governance, and Associate Professor
In this faculty spotlight from 2018 we welcomed new professor and Marxe Chair in the Master of International Affairs program, Asli Leblebicioglu with a chat about her research, the origin of her interest in international economics, her classes, and more.

Jeanette Gisbert
MPA ’08
In this month’s alumni spotlight, Jeanette Gisbert (MPA ‘08) tells us about her recent promotion to Executive Director at Volunteer New York! and her work at the nonprofit.
February 2021

Ari Gershman, Executive MPA ’21
Marxe Executive MPA student and NYC Council Chief of Staff Ari Gershman talks LGBTQ+ activism, his interest in transportation initiatives, his role as Chief of Staff, and more.

Associate Professor, Judith Kafka
In this legacy spotlight from 2018, Judith Kafka talks about schools and education in the context of racial and economic inequality.

Angelo Cabrera, MPA ’13
MPA graduate Angelo Cabrera (who now works at the Marxe School as a researcher and Community Outreach Specialist) discusses the nonprofit he co-founded, Masa, which serves the undocumented and new immigrant community, and more in this month’s alumni spotlight.
January 2021

Cindy Concepcion, Executive MPA '21
Read about Executive MPA student Cindy Concepcion’s aspirations, philosophies, career, and more.

Professor, Hector Cordero-Guzman
In this legacy faculty spotlight Professor Cordero-Guzman discusses his recent sabbatical in which he engaged in a project focused on poverty in Puerto Rico, and his thoughts on the then-upcoming Master of International Affairs (MIA) program.

Felicia Crivello, MPA '20
Read about MPA alumna Felicia Crivello’s time at Marxe, her role at the New York State Senate Majority Conference, and more.
December 2020

Mark Tria, BSPA '20
Fire Department of New York veteran Mark Tria came to Marxe via the School’s FDNY-BSPA program to upgrade his college education from Associate’s to Bachelor’s. In this spotlight he tells us about his experience in the FDNY, his transition to the Marxe School, and more.

Distinguished Lecturer, Michael Seltzer
In this legacy spotlight from 2016, we spoke with Michael Seltzerabout his first experience working in West Africa in the nonprofit sector, The New York Community Trust Leadership Fellows (which he is director of), and more.

Marny Smith, MSEd '17
In this month’s special alumni spotlight, we speak to Marny Smith who is both an alumna and Assistant Director of Graduate Career Services of the Marxe School. She tells us about her relationship with the Marxe community, what Marxe means to her, and her passion for maternal health including the US’ high stillbirth rate.
November 2020

Fatima Doukoure, Executive MPA '21
Associate Director at Child Welfare Organizing Project, Fatima Doukoure talks her time as an elected official, her work in Mali, and her Executive MPA experience at Marxe.

Professor Dan Williams
Professor Dan Williams tells us about his new book on participatory budgeting and his approach to remote instruction in this month’s faculty spotlight.

Emma Osore, MPA '15
Director of Community at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Emma Osore tells us about her role there, her view on the intersection between art and public administration and more.
October 2020

Keiara Salomon, BSPA ’21
We talk with Marxe student, Keiara Solomon about her work in the NYS Senate program, her internship with the United Nations, and remote learning at Marxe.

Professor, Doug Muzzio
In this legacy spotlight from 2015 we spoke about his deeply-rooted interest in all things New York City, his then-upcoming year, and his then-new book.

Amanda Wallwin, MPA ’12
MPA alumna and Chief of Staff of Assembly Member Dan Quart at the New York State Assembly, Amanda Wallwin discusses how her focus on policy analysis while at Marxe prepared her for her career, her role at the NYS Assembly, and more.
September 2020

Ann Rafaella, BSPA '20
BSPA student Ann Rafaella talks about social media as a communications and media tool, her internship with the NYC City Council, and more.

Associate Professor, George Mitchell
In this legacy spotlight we welcomed Associate Professor, George Mitchell to the Marxe School with a chat about his thoughts on nonprofits and NGOs, his then-upcoming book, and more.

Gianina Chrisman, MSEd '10
In this month’s alumni spotlight, Gianina Chrisman recalls the first few years of work and her experience in the Marxe MSEd program.
August 2020

Caroline Caratini, Executive MPA ‘21
We speak to Fire Safety Education Administrator at the New York City Fire Department about her career, completing her degree after more than two decades in the Marxe School’s Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs-FDNY partnership program, and her experience as an Executive MPA student.

Faculty Spotlight with Assistant Professor, Bryan Jones
We discuss poverty, environmentalism, research, and the politics of climate change in this month’s faculty spotlight.

Robert Beiderman, MPA '18
This month’s alumni spotlight features alumnus, Robert Biederman, who has had an eclectic career as an actor/writer, chose two areas of study while at the Marxe School, and is now a New York State Excelsior Service Fellow.
July 2020

Charles Anderson, Executive MPA 21
Director of Community Affairs for the New York State Assembly, Charlie Anderson tells us about his role in service of the office of Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick, his Executive MPA experience at the Marxe School, and what keeps him working in government.

Associate Professor, Diane M. Gibson
Cutting-edge policy and research programs aren’t just explored in the classroom at the Marxe School. The School’s vital association with seven vibrant research centers allow students unprecedented exposure to experts and their research. We spoke with the Associate Professor and Executive Director of the New York Federal Statistical Research Data Center (NYRDC) about ongoing research efforts, including a project on preventive care for individuals with diabetes, and more.

John Georges, MSEd ‘19
In this special alumni spotlight, Marxe graduate and Director of Dedman College Records and Academic Services, John Georges tells the story of his MSEd experience, from personal to professional with ups and downs, and successes and failures.
June 2020

Student Spotlight with Tyler Gooding, BSPA ‘21
BSPA student Tyler Gooding tells us about his NYS Assembly Internship, NYS Senate internship, and the policy issues he’s most passionate about.

Faculty Spotlight with Distinguished Lecturer, Michael Seltzer
Distinguished Lecturer, Michael Seltzer embodies this delivery of knowledge and expertise. We speak about his first experience working in West Africa in the nonprofit sector, what brought him to the Marxe School, and more.

Alumni Spotlight with Tracy Minard, MSEd '19
International Student Advisor at the Institute of International Education, Tracy Minard discusses her career, her Marxe MSEd experience, and what drives her.
May 2020

Wilson Tejada, BSPA ‘21
Undergraduate student Wilson Tejada talks about his “life-changing” time in the U.S. Army, his decision to come back to school, and his New York State Assembly internship.

Professor and Faculty Director of the MPA, John Casey
Professor Casey talks his approach to teaching, his research projects (including one on skiing, which he describes as typically a “rich person’s sport”) and his time away on sabbatical.

Stephen O'Brien, MPA '06
We speak to the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy at the NYC Department of Education Office of School Food, Stephen O’Brien about making sure communities are fed during the COVID-19 pandemic, his sense of civic duty, and more.
April 2020

Soleil Griffin, BSPA '20
Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs student, Soleil Griffin tells us about her nonprofit, working in Albany as a New York State Assembly intern, and more in this month’s student spotlight.

Associate Professor, Anna D'Souza
We chat with Associate Professor Anna D’Souza for the first time in almost six years in this month’s spotlight in which she fills us in on recent research, her evolving teaching style, and more.

Jeffers Kuo, MPA '17
Senior Development Officer at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center in Hong Kong, Jeffers Kuo talks about his Marxe experience as an international student, his drive for nonprofit management, and his work at the Center.
March 2020

Lauren Braun, MPA '20
Deputy Director of Leadership Giving at Baruch College, Lauren Braun recalls unexpected professional challenges, and tells us what drives her passion for nonprofits and fundraising in this month’s student spotlight.

Associate Professor, Don Waisanen
How does improv performance relate to public affairs and administration? Communications expert Don Waisanen tells us about the overlap between these two seemingly disparate disciplines and more in this month’s faculty spotlight.

Meredith Gray, MPA '09
In this month’s spotlight we talk to Meredith Gray, alumna and executive director and co-founder of The Co-op School, a cooperative preschool through middle school in Brooklyn. She tells us about the School, her role, and the lessons she’s learned both there and at Marxe.
February 2020

Sara Hoenes, MIA '20
Master of International Affairs student, Sara Hoenes tells us all about her transition from professional dancer to international affairs student; her Washington Semester experience and subsequent trip to Sierra Leone – and more.

Associate Professor, Cristina M. Balboa
We speak to Associate Professor, Cristina Balboa about her research, the resulting publication, and her plans for the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management.

Kristina Wilson-Rocheford, MPA ‘13
Kristina Wilson-Rocheford, who was recently senior manager in the Department of Executive Communications & Thought Leadership at Nestle Waters North America, tells us about her decision to get her MPA at Marxe, her past role at the United Nations, and more.
January 2020

Elaine Perez, MPA '20
This month we shine our spotlight on Elaine Perez, who is senior director of operations and strategic planning at Year Up New York and found a reason to come back to school after than a decade away.

Professor Emeritus, Frederick Lane
This legacy spotlight with Professor Emeritus, Fred Lane reviews his most enriching Marxe experiences, his continued work in education and nonprofits, and more.

Kathryn Howard, MPA '14
MPA alumna and Director of Plan Management at the NYC Emergency Management Department, Kathryn Howard tells us about the role’s challenges, her volunteer work with Animal Care Centers of NYC, and her Baruch Marxe experience.