Education and Public Policy

Juliana is in her last semester here at Penn State. Growing up, she always knew that she wanted to help others in my future line of work. She thoroughly enjoys talking to people and listening to their stories. Juliana chose EPP because it has not only helped her understand the complexities of the education system but has also given her the flexibility to take courses that align with her interest in child development. 

Through the College of Education, she had the opportunity to be a Social Justice Fellow in Washington, DC, for a Maymester, a program in which she taught high school students about educational access and equity and met with various leaders in the DMV area. The small community of EPP has made this large university feel like home, and she will always be thankful for the many unique opportunities to broaden her perspective on education. Due to her interests and experiences in EPP, she plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in school counseling. This field combines her love for helping others and her knowledge of educational policies.

Bianca Nelson found her passion for education and community engagement while serving as an AmeriCorps member at City Year New Hampshire. Her experience at City Year has made her involvement at Penn State more meaningful. At Penn State Berks, she accepted a position with the Penn State Education Partnership Program (PEPP) as a learning assistant. PEPP gave her the opportunity to mentor middle-school students. She also served as a member on the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) and as the Director of Volunteers while simultaneously working on the content team for TEDXPSU. Serving as a member of the content team gave her the opportunity for TEDXPSUBerks before transferring to University Park. Understanding that being a transfer student can be difficult, she dove into engagement opportunities. By joining the College of Education Student Council, she to engage with professors and professionals alike and gained insight on various topics that inspired her both in and out of the classroom. This inspiration led her to apply and be selected as one of the Student Engagement Network Interns at Penn State. Through this internship, she has learned how to “Find her Why” and help other students do the same.

Grace Harnett is studying for her BS in Education & Public Policy, with minors in Sociology and Recreation, Park & Tourism Management. Through the Integrated Undergraduate-Graduate(IUG) program, she is simultaneously working toward her MA in Educational Theory & Policy. She is the Executive Director of the nonpartisan department Civic Engagement in UPUA, which she hopes will sustainably promote student engagement in civic work. In conjunction with PSU Votes, she helps students register to vote and understand mail-in ballots. She is also a Greeks Care facilitator and educates members of Greek Life on sexual assault and harassment to create change in the Penn State Greek Life community. As an Outdoor Educator for fourth-graders at Penn State’s Outdoor School in 2018 and 2019, she created lesson plans and curriculum for a four-day sleepaway camp. This experience opened her eyes to different forms of education and helped her realize her passion for educational policy. During the summer of 2020, she assisted Professor Erica Frankenberg with research on civil rights during the Trump Administration. By analyzing texts and organizing information into memos, she gained insight into the work that goes into policy research.

Christopher Carver took advantage of many opportunities during his time at Penn State. His junior year, he was selected by The McCourtney Institute of Democracy as a Nevins Fellow. The fellowship provided him with a funded internship through The Convergence Policy Resolution Center in Washington, DC, which matched Christopher’s interests in social justice and bipartisanship. To be considered for an internship, he enrolled in PLSC 209: Democratic Leadership, a five-week, one-credit intensive course offered in the fall.  He also participated in a study abroad program to Chile, where he worked for a non-profit devoted to ending hunger. This was an opportunity that appealed to his desire to learn the history and geography of Chile, as well as contribute to the community.  After graduation, he is currently studying for the LSAT and plans to purse Law School in the upcoming year. 

Emma Rohan simultaneously earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in Educational Theory & Policy. She also became a Facilitation Trainer with World in Conversation at Penn State, where she facilitated hundreds of dialogues on relevant and contentious social issues in domestic, international, and global initiatives.  As a Nevins Fellow through the McCourtney Institute for Democracy, she worked with the Jefferson Center in Minneapolis, MN to lead Citizens Jury events. This was an opportunity that came to her through the course PLSC 209: Democratic Leadership. Additionally, she has studied abroad in Rabat, Morocco, interned at UNESCO in Paris, and was an outdoor adventure guide throughout college. She wrote her undergraduate thesis about charter school policies in the United States and her master’s thesis on the impact of charter schools on Pennsylvania labor markets.  She is currently a Teaching Fellow in the Bronx, NY where she is working toward her teaching certification while gaining experience in the classroom. 

Ashley graduated from Penn State with her bachelor’s degree in Education and Public Policy in 2022 and with her master’s in Higher Education in May 2024. She was an active member of the Penn State community in several student organizations and as captain of the drumline in the Penn State Blue Band. At graduation in 2022, she served as program marshal to represent the EPP program. Ashley emphasizes the importance of having diverse experiences and building strong networks with peers, professors, and supervisors to help navigate academic challenges and guide career paths.

Ashley works in Penn State’s division of Student Affairs. As the Assistant Direction of NSO, Ashley develops teams of student leaders to support new students in their transition to the university. Prior to her current role, she held many other positions in student affairs during graduate school and in her undergraduate career as a graduate assistant for the Penn State Parents Program and frontline staff for Student Orientation and Transition Programs. Ashley believes that there is a space for everyone here at Penn State and there are a number of different offices to help students on campus. She highlights the positive working environment and meaningful relationship she has established while working in student affairs.

Jessie graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Education and Public Policy and her master’s in Educational Theory and Policy from Penn State in 2019. During her time at Penn State, she formed invaluable connections and relationships through her work as a Student Athlete Tutor, Teaching Assistant, and assistant in the Special Collections Department at Paterno Library. Jessie used her memo writing and professional development skills during her internship experiences at a boutique law firm in Springfield, New Jersey. As a transfer student, Jessie highlights the importance of having a strong support system and finding mentorship through peers and professors.

Jessie is currently a PhD candidate at Teachers College at Columbia University in the Sociology and Higher Education departments. While pursuing her doctorate degree, she is also a Senior Research Assistant for the Community College Research Center. Jessie stresses the importance of taking care of her mental health while juggling multiple responsibilities. In her previous role at the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Jessie wrote a memo detailing mental health in college students; her advocacy led to millions of dollars invested in mental health resources for college students in New Jersey.

Macy graduated from Penn State with her degree in Education and Public Policy and minors in Women’s Studies and Sociology in 2015. EPP allowed Macy to study the intersection of education and law, which solidified her decision to go to law school and focus on educational law. During her time at Penn State, she was a teaching assistant and interned for law firms, which exposed her to life as a lawyer. Macy recommends learning how to market the EPP major to potential employers and graduate schools. Following graduation, Macy attended Syracuse University College of Law and passed the Bar Exam in 2018.

Macy is currently working as an attorney at the largest education firm in the country, where she represents school districts and other educational entities facing various types of litigation and special education cases, in particular. Although school district budgets limit some of Macy’s aspirations, she enjoys the opportunity to fight for justice in the school systems. Her role has shaped her understanding and perspective on the systemic inequalities within the education system. As a lawyer, Macy emphasizes that being a lawyer takes dedication. She feels as though a person must have grit and determination to succeed in the career and should not be swayed to the field simply for the paycheck.