The Graduate Association of Public Policy (GAPPS-ICMA) – International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is the primary organization for the UConn School of Public Policy (SPP). Its goal is to serve as a social and intellectual forum for students pursuing a degree or certificate in the School. GAPPS-ICMA is committed to public service, professional development, and having fun. Throughout the academic year GAPPS-ICMA hosts a number of events that enrich students’ social and academic experiences.
GAPPS is an International City/County Management Association (ICMA) student organization.
Anna Bella D’amico is this year’s GAPPS-ICMA Secretary. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) alongside a graduate certificate in Nonprofit Management.
This fall Anna Bella is completing her Internship and Professional Practice Program (IPP) placement at UConn’s Veteran Affairs & Military Programs (VAMP) Office. As the Public Policy Advisor Intern, she will be helping to implement the Upwards Bound Program.
Her favorite SPP memory has been weekly trivia night at Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue, and her favorite course has been PP 5365. Human Resource Management. She notes, “One of the most impactful lessons from this semester was the power of thank you, and the role of acknowledgement as motivation when the work is hard and often thankless.” After graduation she hopes to pursue a career in higher education administration.
When asked about advice for incoming students, Anna Bella had this to say,
I am not from CT and did not go to UConn for undergrad, and I struggled to find a place within the program without knowing anyone or anything. My one piece of advice would be to put yourself out there, find friends in your classes, use the small cohort size to your advantage. We all have a shared interest in making our world a better place, use that common ground to find a solid group of humans.