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Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs

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    Marxe Community Spotlights

    View the full archive of Marxe student, faculty, and alumni spotlights.

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    March 2021

    navestrauss

    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 Endowed Chair in International Economics and Governance, and Associate Professor

    In this faculty spotlight from 2018 we welcomed  new professor and Marxe Endowed 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.

    jeanettegisbert

    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.

    View Marxe community spotlights from 2019
    View Marxe community spotlights from 2018
    View Marxe community spotlights from 2017
    View Marxe community spotlights from 2016
    View Marxe community spotlights from 2015
    View Marxe community spotlights from 2014

    Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs 135 East 22nd Street (Lexington Avenue and 22nd Street) (646) 660-6700
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