Kelly McElwain

Expected MPA 2017

Kelly joined UConn MPA program in Fall 2015. She earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Policy Studies and Biotechnology from Syracuse University. She is currently a Research Analyst for the Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC), a non-profit that conducts research that promotes the national conversation about the importance of affordable housing. She began her career consulting on research projects for the Syracuse Department of Neighborhood and Business Development and the Better Bones Foundation and interning for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro and Western New York and the Crouse Health Foundation. Outside of her professional life she is a fencer and avid hiker. She loves to explore new places on her travels just as she likes to learn new skills in the classroom and workplace.

Kelly decided to join the UConn MPA program because of the relationships the Department of Public Policy has with local government offices and nonprofits and her desire to expand her nonprofit management and research skill set to further her work at PAHRC. She considers the Quantitative Methods for Public Policy and Introduction to Public Policy and Management to be the most helpful courses taken so far, as she has been able to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to her current job.

Following her MPA degree, Kelly plans to continue to her work at PAHRC researching the value and need for affordable housing. Her advice for potential students is to take advantage of the hands on experience available through the Graduate Assistantships offered by the program.