Maggie Webber

Why did you choose the Trachtenberg School?

Because there is no better place to study public policy than Washington D.C.! And I loved the faculty - they supported and championed me through my degree and helped me meet my goals. COVID did not stand in the way of my dissertation defense! I left Trachtenberg equipped and ready to dive into an assistant professor position in the Department of Social Science at the United States Military Academy at West Point because of the TA and undergraduate teaching opportunities I had at GWU. 

Looking back, what are the most valuable skills, tools, or aha-moments you gained at Trachtenberg that you still rely on today?

I learned how to conduct research. I know that sounds cliche, of course I learned research skills in a PhD program! But I got to work with Dr. Eiko Strader on a study I still talk about all the time today - we investigated military exit codes related to family issues. I loved the exposure to Dr. Strader's brain — I had a front row seat to her research, analysis, and writing process. It was awesome. My courses reinforced and helped me build integrity-driven processes for conducting "good" research and guided me on how to approach research with my own biases at the forefront of my mind. I have adopted rely on Dr. Kathy Newcomer's advice to her students on validity and reliability in research and continue to use a checklist my comprehensive exam study buddy and I created for reviewing empirical article. 

In what ways did the Trachtenberg community—whether professors, peers, or alumni—support or influence your career?

I was asked to teach an undergraduate political science course my final year at GWU. It was an opportunity that tipped the scales in my head in favor of pursuing a post-military-retirement career in academia. During the fall semester, I taught one young woman who I continue to mentor — she is just about to start her MPP after five successful years in the Army. It's a relationship I feel like to have and thank TSPPPA for fostering it. During the spring semester, the COVID-19 epidemic took us out of the classroom and onto screens. My students - many of whom were seniors - faced a really different graduation and reality than they expected. Being an instructor during that time was difficult and our sessions were full of emotions. Again, the opportunity to lead instruct as I was dissertating set me on the path to my lecturer position at the University of New Hampshire — it's my dream post-military gig!

What advice would you share with someone looking to pursue a career similar to yours?

Just go for it — there is no PhD-type of person. If you are passionate about understanding social, security, or governmental challenges, put your passion front-and-center, study the heck out of it, generate new knowledge in the field, and get that PhD. It feels really good.