Author: Gordon

UConn Stamford Expands Access to Public Service Leadership Through Executive-Track MPA Program 

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Earlier this week, the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy celebrated a milestone in Fairfield County public service education as the inaugural Stamford cohort of its Executive-Track Master of Public Administration program completed their degrees. 

The cohort, which enrolled in Fall 2024 as the first Stamford-based “MPA Fellows” class, was among the 97 students recognized during a May 11 ceremony at Infinity Hall in Hartford. 

Stamford now joins Hartford as one of two UConn locations where students can complete the School of Public Policy’s Executive-Track MPA program…

SPP Celebrates Class of 2026

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On Monday, May 11, the Class of 2026 gathered at Infinity Hall in downtown Hartford to celebrate the completion of their master’s degrees.

97 students, representing the School’s largest graduating class since 2022, included graduates from the MPA, MPP, and MPA Executive-Track (“MPA Fellows”) programs, along with two students who earned the Master of Arts in Survey Research and Data Analysis, a program the School has since retired. The event featured a keynote address from Matt Ritter, Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives. Ritter reminded graduates about the importance of in-person dialogue over online communication and emphasized the value of human connection in public service, especially when working across partisan divides.

From Graduate Assistant to Graduation: 10 Questions with Jordan Oquendo

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The IMRP profiles staffer Jordan Oquendo who is among the School of Public Policy master’s candidates to receive their degree at Monday’s graduation ceremony. Jordan has been working with the IMRP since his enrollment, primarily with the Connecticut Sentencing Commission (CTSC).

Class of 2026: Get Ready for Graduation!

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You’ve worked hard and earned your degree. Now it’s time to celebrate! Monday, May 11 is the School of Public Policy’s Ceremony to Honor Our Graduates. The festivities will take place at Infinity Hall in Hartford from 3:00 – 5:00 pm with a reception following afterwards at the Hartford Times Building Atrium.

Larisa Kottke, MPA’13, President & CEO of Leadership Greater Hartford, will serve as ceremony host, and Matt Ritter, CT Speaker of the House of Representatives will provide the keynote address.

A helpful timeline for students and guests follows…

UConn School of Public Policy Ranked Among Top in Nation

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UConn’s School of Public Policy continues to earn national recognition, ranking among the top public affairs programs in the country in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.

The School ranked No. 44 nationally, No. 1 in Connecticut, and No. 2 in New England, reflecting its strong reputation and leadership in public service education. It also placed No. 12 in public budgeting and finance and, new this year, No. 24 in nonprofit management.

SPP Student Spotlight: Bridget Foley-Johnson

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After graduating from Springfield College in 2021 with a degree in psychology and a minor in biology, Bridget Foley-Johnson went to work at Hartford HealthCare, supporting adults with substance use disorders and other mental health challenges. 

“I set out to help individuals,” she said. “But during my three years at Hartford HealthCare, I also got a look at the policy side of medicine and how decisions made behind the scenes affect clinicians, patients, and entire systems.” 

That realization, along with a desire to “make a difference at a population level,” led her to explore advanced degrees in public policy and social work. She’s now pursuing both a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration through UConn’s School of Social Work and School of Public Policy. 

“I could see how intertwined the two fields are,” she said. “It made sense to study them together, especially with the internship opportunities and the range of career paths it opens up.” 

From Campus to the Capitol: UConn Student is One Face of the Future of Civic Engagement in Connecticut

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School of Public Policy Director Angie Eikenberry welcomed attendees and then took a seat in the audience, watching proudly as one of SPP’s Fast-Track MPA students, UConn junior Ryan Engel, joined the panel of speakers on stage.  To Engels’ right: Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas and former Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, who now serves […]

From STEM to Service: Paula Norato (MPA ‘22) on the Path to Public Administration

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Paula Norato (MPA ’22) enrolled in the School of Public Policy’s graduate program during the start of Covid. Through her IPP placement with Partners for Educational Leadership, she saw how statewide support systems operate behind the scenes to support schools and began to understand the broader impact of public service.  “The MPA helped me not only with long-term, strategic thinking and relationship-building, but also with the confidence to show up for myself in all areas,” Paula says…