Michelle Woods Matthews is the Director of Communications for the City of Norwalk in the Office of Mayor Harry Rilling. Prior to this role, she served in a wide array of roles, such as Press Secretary to former Connecticut State Treasurer Shawn Wooden, Communications Director of NARAL Pro–Choice Virginia, Public and Legislative Affairs Manager of […]
Awards and Celebrations
2023 David B. Walker Award: Nicole Sanclemente
The David B. Walker Award was established with a generous donation from Parashar Patel, MPA ‘91. This award is given annually to recognize a student in the program who exemplifies tireless dedication to public service. Ideally, the awardee would have an interest in Federalism. David B. Walker: This endowment honors David B. Walker, former director […]
2023 MPA Fellows Academic Excellence Award: Molly H. Aunger & Kelly A. Leppard
Molly H. Aunger, MPA ‘23 Program Coordinator, Justice Collaboratory, Yale Law School Molly Aunger is the Program Coordinator for the Justice Collaboratory at Yale Law School. Prior to the Justice Collaboratory, she had worked as the Assistant to the Director of Student Services at the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC). In that role, Aunger was […]
2023 Faculty Excellence Awards: Karen K. Buffkin, Renzo de la Riva Agüero & Melissa McCaw
Renzo de la Riva Agüero, Assistant Professor Renzo is an Assistant Professor of Public Management at the UConn School of Public Policy. He received his Public Policy Ph.D. at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Political Science at Indiana University – Bloomington. His work engages with research on local […]
2023 Master of Arts in Survey Research Academic Excellence: Molly French
Molly is a part–time student in the Master of Arts in Survey Research program, earning her degree as she works as an institutional research analyst at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC. She graduated from Western Oregon University with a bachelor’s in Natural Science and a minor in Spanish. She has worked in a variety […]
2023 Master of Public Policy Academic Excellence Award: Danielle A. Cross, Thomas Dowd & Jared Tyler Lynch
Danielle A. Cross, MPP ‘23 Danielle is a graduating Master of Public Policy student with a focus on Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion. She graduated from the University of Connecticut with a bachelor’s in Political Science and Psychological Sciences, and was a part of the Master of Public Policy Fast Track program. She has worked […]
2023 Master of Public Administration Academic Excellence Award: Tyler A. Havens & Ghammam Mansoor
Tyler A. Havens, MPA ‘23 Tyler is a second-year Master of Public Administration student with a focus in Public Policy, Diversity, and Inclusion. He graduated from Providence College with a bachelor’s degree in business management. After Providence College, Tyler completed two year-long terms of service in AmeriCorps, the first year splitting time in the Gulf […]
2023 Public Policy Distinguished Alumni Award: Chief Lynn Malerba, MPA ‘08
Chief Mutáwi Mutáhash (Many Hearts) Marilynn “Lynn” Malerba became the 18th Chief of the Mohegan Tribe on August 15, 2010 and is the first female Chief in the Tribe’s modern history. The position is a lifetime appointment made by the Tribe’s Council of Elders. Prior to becoming Chief, she served as Chairwoman of the Tribal […]
2023 Pi Alpha Alpha Induction
This evening UConn’s School of Public Policy (SPP) will induct 54 students into Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA), which is the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. Tonight’s festivities will include: Master of Ceremony Welcome – Douglas Shipman, MPA ‘ 16 & President of Pi Alpha Alpha’s CT Chapter Public Policy Welcome – Professor […]
Recapping 2022 with UConn SPP
2022 was filled with moments of IMPACT here at UConn’s School of Public Policy (SPP)! In no particular order, help us recap another fantastic year with a network dedicated to service. #1 One of the most noticeable changes for our network this past year was becoming a School of Public Policy. Though our name may […]