Each November, APPAM (Association for Public Policy & Analysis Management) gathers public affairs constituents from all over the country to engage in discourse, networking, panels, activities and lectures designed to inform and involve. We spoke to School of Public Affairs students Vipul Rana (MPA ’15), Katie Hanna (MPA ’16), and Catherine Mayers (MS/MPA in Nursing Admin. ’17) about their experiences at APPAM 2014.

Internships are an integral part of any student’s higher education experience. They transition aspiring professionals between the classroom and the workplace, instilling enriching experiences along the way. But not every one is the same. We speak to Distinguished Lecturer, Michael Feller about what creates the best possible internship experience.

As a Colombian immigrant and self-described “dreamer”, Angelica’s aspirations have always been at odds with her reality. Recently, CUNY lawyers helped her receive a work permit after years of frustration and doubt, and now, with deferred action she works at CUNY as a summer internship coordinator. But she doesn’t plan on stopping there; she aims to find a full-time position in food policy research.

Some are overwhelmed by difficult life events – others rise up to meet them. We speak to Courtney Scott (MPA ‘15) about her father’s lifesaving heart transplant, and her aspirations to improve organ donor registration in New York State.

Though the Baruch College School of Public Affairs faculty conducts research on numerous topics, almost all research projects aim to inform and improve policy and practice to make the world a better place. We speak to Professor Dahlia Remler about her teaching, ongoing research projects, and the teamwork that has helped accomplish them.

Diversity isn’t just a word; School of Public Affairs alumna and National Grid Director of Supplier Diversity, Carla Hunter Ramsey (Executive MPA ’08) discusses her education, finding minority suppliers, and the crucial reasons for her specialized role.

Alicino received a Colin Powell Fellowship and completed internships at both the U.S. Embassy in Argentina and the White House. Through the Study Abroad and Work Abroad programs, she also attended classes in Spain and Guatemala, and taught English in Chile. Alicino, who graduated in the Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs program this past spring, discussed how these experiences shaped her professional journey and future career plans.

One of the School of Public Affairs’ strengths is its ability to shape and modify its curricula to keep pace with the evolving arena of public affairs. Starting this fall, the Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs program will introduce the first in several planned electives in food policy taught by new faculty member, Associate Professor, Anna D’Souza. D’Souza, who holds a PhD in Economics from UCLA, plans to leverage her background to help undergrad and graduate students analyze government food policy and systems, addressing timely issues such as sustainability, service delivery, and globalization.