MPA ’22 grad Caesar Valentín credits several School of Public Policy courses and professors for shaping his approach to public service. As a success and strategy analyst at Connecticut’s Social Equity Council, Valentín’s thesis and early research connect directly to his current work…
Author: Gordon
Blending History, Education, and Community Service into a Meaningful Career Path
MPA student Noah Hurt has always been drawn to spaces that educate and support the community. Through his IPP, Hurt serves as Intern for Advancement at COMPASS Youth Collaborative which works with vulnerable youth to provide them with tools to succeed in education, employment, and life.
From Service to Scholarship: MPA Fellow’s Lifelong Commitment to Public Service
Susan Camoroda is an MPA Fellow and research assistant with the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP), where she supports Connecticut State Legislative studies related to Military and Veterans Affairs. She’s also a retired U.S. Army Colonel with 30 years of commissioned service driven by a sense of duty.
On Veterans Day, Camoroda hopes people will take a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning of service. “What’s most meaningful is remembering what this country is about – the lessons of history, the honor, dedication, and sacrifice that military members and their families provide to support and defend the Constitution,” she says.
Why I Serve: Director of Engagement Ryan Baldassario on the Importance of Civic Engagement
Director of Engagement and self-described “civic nerd” Ryan Baldassario talks about his long history volunteering as a poll worker on Election Day and the importance of student involvement in local elections. “Whatever you do – don’t ignore local elections!” Ryan advises. “While national issues dominate our social media feeds, state and local elections have more direct implications for your daily lives.”
Fast-Track Student Focuses on Youth Civic Engagement
UConn junior and 4+1 Fast Track student Ryan Engels promotes civic engagement among Connecticut youth through CYPAC, the non-partisan advocacy group he founded from his freshman year dorm room. He doesn’t just suggest students get involved in local government – he models it. Ryan is the youngest chair of a town committee in his hometown of Westbrook. He’s also interning this semester with the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy.
Lessons in Humanity: MPA Grad Gains Insights from Norway’s Correctional Model
“We all have this perception of what an incarcerated person looks like,” said Chidi Nwuneli, a 2025 MPA graduate of UConn’s School of Public Policy and the current Grants and Contracts Specialist at the Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Division of Connecticut’s Office of Policy and Management (OPM). “In Norway, the focus is on humanizing the person, not the punishment.”
Post-Graduate Spotlight: A Two-Year Research Journey with the Boston Federal Reserve
Nick Hall graduated from UConn in May 2023 with a degree in Economics and Political Science and earned his Master of Public Policy a year later. Thanks to the SPP’s outreach and networking opportunities, soon after his May 2024 graduation, he began a two-year research associate position with the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston…
From Classroom to Commission: Finding the SPP 4+1 “Fast-Track” to Success
A chance encounter with a fellow undergrad introduced Tommy Dowd to the 4+1 program. A course that sounded interested introduced him to the IMRP and a research opportunity that would lead to his current role as the program assistant for the Connecticut Sentencing Commission. Read on to see his MPP “Fast-Track” to his first professional role…
Students Contemplate Voting Access on National Voter Registration Day
Students in IMRP Director Andrew Clark’s Intro to Public Policy course recently stepped beyond the classroom and into Connecticut’s Old State House to explore topics of democracy and voting access. The visits, held just blocks from UConn Hartford, included a tour of the historic site and a National Voter Registration Day roundtable co-hosted with the Connecticut Democracy Center. Students engaged panelists on issues ranging from compulsory voting in other democracies to recent changes in Connecticut expanding early voting and “no excuse” absentee ballots…
SPP Students Gain Policy Experience in Washington, D.C.
Two students from UConn’s Master of Public Policy (MPP) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs traded classroom work for the nation’s capital this summer, immersing themselves in federal policy work. Read more about their experiences in higher education access and election integrity.