Fall 2024 TSPPPA Newsletter

In the face of ever-evolving challenges, we regularly refresh our programs to ensure graduates have knowledge, skills, and tools to thrive in any sector. This year, we have two new program offerings to announce.     

First, the Trachtenberg School launched the Master of Arts in Environmental and Sustainability Policy (MA-ESP) Program in July. It replaces the Environmental Resource Policy (MA-ENRP) Program. The curriculum develops trailblazers who can weave ideas and tools from science, law, policy, management, culture, ethics, and economics. The MA-ESP graduates can take advantage of a range of new resources to enhance students’ experience and hone their talents. The program aligns with GW’s new Global Food Institute and the expanding Alliance for a Sustainable Future. The ESP program continues to benefit from generous donors including Mrs. Frances Kennedy, whose support, in honor of her late husband, provides scholarships to environmental policy students. Alumni served as guest lecturers, internship hosts, and capstone client hosts for ENRP and will have the opportunity to do so for the ESP students.  

Second, we introduced a Certificate in Regulatory Policy and Practice. The courses for the certificate give students a deep understanding of the complexities of regulatory policy, practice, and theory. Students learn how regulatory agencies develop and enforce policy, navigate the political landscape, and understand how advocates shape regulation.  Our expertise in regulatory matters is rare among public affairs schools and now more students can gain from it. Certificate students will take the Regulatory Policy Clinic, choosing a regulation open for public comment, creating detailed analysis and recommendation, and submitting comments to the relevant agency for the public record. They also can be involved in capstone projects focusing on regulatory analysis. For example, a team is working with TSPPPA Advisory Council Member Marty Reynolds on a capstone project for Airlines for America examining conflicting and complementary state-level and federal regulations related to Artificial Intelligence that affect airline policies, operations, and technologies.  

The Trachtenberg School supports alumni throughout their professional endeavors, including their volunteer work. The career services team offers numerous resources including a recently created and frequently augmented video series of tips from alumni and an info-packed weekly newsletter. This Fall, we launched two new programs developed with the support and input of alumni to provide more personalized professional support: The Executive in Residence Program and the Alumni Leadership Exchange Program.  

The Executive in Residence program (EIR) gives exclusive access to students and alumni to engage with three accomplished alumni for practical, real-world insights. The executives can provide personalized guidance on industry trends, networking strategies, career roadmaps, and leadership development. For the Fall, TSPPPA is very honored to have Chad Davis, MPP ‘01, Cathy Helm, MPA ‘80, and Omar Woodard, MPA ‘07 serving as our Executives. Mr. Omar Woodard, a GW trustee and expert in impact-investing among other talents, has been a dedicated volunteer for career services and guest lecturer in courses for many years. He said, "The EIR role is an opportunity to give back to the Trachtenberg School community that gave me so much and shaped my career, and to make a positive impact on the next generation of leaders."  

The Alumni Leadership (ALEx) Exchange, launching this November, was initiated by alumni for alumni. The Exchange will offer a platform for connection, learning, and professional advancement. Every other month, virtual sessions will feature presentations by alumni speakers on leadership and management, with facilitated discussions designed to integrate the insights into actionable strategies. Fill out this form to get notified when it launches and/or to indicate your interest in being a speaker. To make sure you do not miss out on this and other useful opportunities, if you have not already, sign up for the weekly career services newsletter.

The Trachtenberg School’s community of faculty and alumni continues to be influential around the world.  Given our unique location and expertise, it is not surprising that we have a strong presence on Capitol Hill. This year, Associate Professor Kate Yang worked as a Fellow at the Office of Evaluation Sciences at the U.S. General Services Administration. She helped federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of State, with evaluations to build and use evidence for improving program administration. As another example, a faculty team consisting of Kathy Newcomer, Joe Cordes, Costis Toregas, and Mary Tschirhart is now working with the State Department on assessment of AI implementation.     

Many TSPPPA alumni have influenced policy and practice on Capitol Hill. For example, 2023 Distinguished Alumni Award winner Terry Hartle, DPA ‘82, led federal policy engagement on issues like student aid and tax policy as Senior Vice President for ACE’s Government Relations. Hartle also worked on Capitol Hill as the Education Staff Director of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources. 2023 Recent Alumni Award winner Traci Kraus spearheads U.S. federal advocacy at Cummins Inc., focusing on energy and climate issues. Our 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Charita Castro, PhD ‘07 promoted workers’ rights and international labor standards through her work as Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Labor Affairs for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.  Rachel Breslin, PhD ‘19, the 2022 Recent Alumni Award winner, is making an impact on Capitol Hill through her role as senior advisor and program manager for the U.S. Department of Defense where she works to improve the lives of military members and their families by preventing sexual assault in the military and facilitating recovery for survivors.

Along with our faculty and alumni, the students in our capstone courses reflect our commitment to informing and creating positive change. Many capstone projects fostered student collaboration with leaders on Capitol Hill. Our 2023 Capstone Excellence prize went to a team working with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on improving conditions for workers. Recent capstone clients, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Department of Defense, and NASA, hosted student teams tackling policy and practice issues, conducting research, and recommending solutions to pressing problems in DC and elsewhere.   

TSPPPA is dedicated to informing and engaging in decision-making and change efforts.  Yang’s work, for example, leveraged her expertise to make both scholarly and practical contributions. Our community’s work on the Hill is just one of the many ways we touch lives through research, education, policy, and practice.