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.
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.”
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…
More than 100 attendees were on hand to celebrate the graduation of the School’s latest Encore Class. 27 members of the class gathered to reflect on the program’s impact and the beginning of their ‘next act’. Speakers reiterated the power behind the theme of this year’s class: “Strength in Support.”
School of Public Policy assistant research professor Dr. Lydia Wileden discusses her work in the classroom, in the community, and with IMRP’s statewide and international initiatives. Dr. Wileden will be instructing PP 5350 – Urban & Regional Policy – in the spring, 2026 semester…
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…
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.
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.”
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…
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…