News and Information Archives - Page 12 of 27 - Evans School of Public Policy & Governance

JSI Scholar: Linda Montiel-Garcia

Tell us about your story

I was born and raised in Denver, CO! My family is from Mexico so I grew up in a very traditional Mexican household. I go to school in Massachusetts where I am studying Politics/Law/Govt. in a three year program. This upcoming spring I will be the first person to graduate from college in my entire family. I plan on going to law school and then beginning a career as a politician!

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

It took me 20 years to learn what public policy is and I was sold on a career in public policy the second I understood what that meant. I find immense value in public policy’s stake in people’s every day lives; yet, there are many flaws in how public policy Is both created and implemented. I want to enter public policy in order to foster equitable policies that ensure the public’s – especially minority groups’ – wellbeing.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

I’m inspired by the community I grew up in. My community is a very close and powerful community who always fought for change in some of our policies.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am very excited to explore a new area and meet new people!

JSI Scholar: Jerwin Tiu

Tell us about your story

In a sunny valley in Nevada, my name is Jerwin Tiu and I was born and raised in the heart of Las Vegas! And as such, my childhood was filled with bright neon lights and traffic noises that eventually became comforting to me. I grew up in an ethnically Chinese and Filipino household to an extensive family of immigrants. With my hero, my mother, as our sole caretaker, my two sisters and I felt the harsh realities of our low-income status. Resource accessibility was a huge issue for my family to navigate growing up, particularly when it came to healthcare. I wish to focus on issues of accessibility and amplifying the voices of underserved communities. I have had the opportunity to involve myself in the Las Vegas Roots Community Garden, UNLV Buddies, and other service-related organizations, where I have been able to work hand-in-hand with underserved communities and learn more about their unique experiences while also educating them on things that may help their process. I understand how communities are impacted by the information allotted to them, and I wish to be at the forefront of change when it comes to service design and program evaluation when it comes to public resources for underserved communities. Because financial struggles were at the forefront of my mind growing up, they completely overshadowed my feelings of identity, especially when it came to my ethnic background. I did not feel “Asian” enough growing up. I could not relate to my Asian peers, so I have since spent a lot of time trying to understand my Asian identity and what it means to me. In that task, I have had the privilege to work with the Oral History and Research Center on my university’s first oral history research project on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. I have learned so much by speaking to members of my community, and in doing so, I have become equipped with addressing the specific needs of a community that means so much to me. Overall, I live my life with love and laughter at the crossroads of everything that I do! I am really just a boy that likes to eat sushi and make jokes with his loved ones. I just hope to be someone that serves as a lighthouse for others that do not know where they are headed in the sea of life. I hope my waves of change come in floods and rush in to help others.

What path did you take when you first started college?

Truthfully, I never even considered a path in public service. A Majority of my family found jobs in the hospitality industry, and as a student at UNLV, a university known for their Hospitality program, I thought my destined path was to follow suit. However, with many conversations and debates with loved ones, I went from being a Hospitality major, to a Pre-Professional Biology major on a pre-medical track, to eventually a Business Marketing major with a dual interest in public service (give or take a few majors in between). Things I seemed so sure of started to become so unfamiliar, and so I decided to create a path that felt more like me.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

Two things made me consider a path in public service and international affairs. First, I have spent the majority of my educational journey involved on a student council/government level. But my interest in public service piqued with my time at UNLV’s Student Government which helped me get a grasp on terms familiar in the public service world. I started to draft agendas, resolutions, and bills, to the point where I wondered if this was the path for me. Second, it was my time as an Oral Historian and Researcher at the Oral History and Research Center. I was able to learn so much alongside my partner and friend Cecilia Winchell, from Asian American and Pacific Islander community leaders that I look up to as role models like Tia Ka’auamo, Erica Mosca, and Emily Ku, just to name a few. In this, I was also able to meet one of my career idols, Bill Imada who I wish to emulate in my career journey.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

I would say my grandmother. While she was never a community leader or did anything impactful to communities of people, she stood in front of waves of opposition, and with her goals in mind she said “Watch me.” She inspires me every day to live with grit and an unwavering passion while remaining kind and giving to others. I hope to give back to whole communities of people, in honor of my grandmother who has been giving to others her whole life.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am really just excited to be able to learn! Learn more about public service and my role in it, learn more about myself as I navigate a place so unfamiliar and far from home, and learn more about others and their experiences in life. I feel as though I have lived in a world where I was covered with love from my family and friends, and I feel that this separation will be one that truly helps me learn about the world, others, and myself, more so than I could even imagine!

JSI Scholar: Alejandro Rene Ortiz Lopez

Tell us about your story

My name is Alejandro Ortiz, and I am an incoming fourth-year international student in the University of Florida (UF). Venezuela was my home until I was seventeen, where the humanitarian and political crisis first ignited my passion for public policy and service. I came to the United States pursuing better educational opportunities, having a full-ride scholarship to finish high school at an UWC international boarding school in New Mexico. Sharing with people from over 98 countries in the student body, I reaffirmed my passion for the improvement of my communities and started to think about policy with international scope as a potential professional pathway. I moved to Gainesville, Florida, to double major in Economics and Political Science at the UF Honors Program with a full-ride scholarship. When not studying, I spend most of my time working as a student leader in Student Government and Student Organizations, working as a Student Admissions Officer, and conducting academic research. My dream job is working as a public policy consultant or an political economy specialist in a multilateral organization, and I am beyond excited to spend this summer in Seattle.

What path did you take when you first started college?

I explored different student organizations, as I wanted to find a community at UF and experience different hobbies. I tried dance teams, cultural organizations, and student government politics. I realized on my Freshman year that international students at UF generally struggled finding communities and creating a sense off belonging, which was reflected on the skyrocketing mental health issues throughout internationals. I created a student organization that created a support system to international students through mentorship programs; it was a life-changing experience. Since then, I have dedicated most of my college experience to fostering an inclusive environment at the University of Florida, regardless of their socio-economic background, political affiliation, religion, ethnicity, or race.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

My upbringing in Venezuela has always been my main motivator to become a public policy specialist. I learned the power of public policy at an early age, as I experienced the economic and political implosion of the country due to wrongful policy-making throughout my teenage years. I desire to eventually be on positions of power where I can help avoiding other disasters such as the Venezuelan Humanitarian crisis.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

The kids. I remember interacting with malnourished children at Venezuelan slums while doing political activism there, and I vividly remember their smiles and dances after receiving a full meal. Kids deserve to grow up with a minimum level of dignity and opportunities available for them. I like to thing that I am preparing myself to help kids, like the Venezuelans, indirectly through my work as a future policy specialist or policy-maker.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am most excited about the community. UW has 20 of the brightest people I have ever met, and I am excited to establish friendships characterized with reciprocal support and learning.

JSI Scholar: Gilles Ghislain Tanke Seulio

Tell us about your story

I was born and raised in Cameroon, located west central Africa. I am the second of six children and was raised by a single mother who fought her entire life to provide us with everything we needed to be successful. During my educational journey, despite facing various health issues, I fought to earn my high school diploma as early as I could. Even though I was very young, it was always clear to me that my time frame to be educated was narrow, because of my mother’s limited financial resources. At the age of fourteen, I was the first in my family to graduate from high school. Unfortunately, my fears quickly became reality, as my mother was not able to financially see me through to higher education. I took off two years and worked two jobs, day and night, saving money for university. These experiences impacted my core values. I believe that education is a basic need and that people, regardless of social, cultural and economic background, should have equal access to education. Education should be free.

What path did you take when you first started college?

When I first started college, I went for an associate degree in communication studies. At the same time, I was involved in student government, where I served as Vice President, was a member of the presidential committee

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

When the time came for me to return to school, I decided I needed to venture out and be exposed to different cultures, which led me to come to the US to further my education. Unfortunately, I encountered the same system here as I did back home: one that favors people with more access to financial resources. Realizing that nothing will change unless people organize, speak up and speak out, I developed an interest in leadership, public service and community organizing.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

No one person inspired me to think about public service, but an event did. I remember being in my second year of high school in Douala, Cameroon, we were taken exams in the month of February. Out of nowhere, the school’s security came in rushing asking all students to leave the school immediately and go back home. As I was running back home, not knowing what was happening, I heard gun shots coming for a far distance. I can still feel how terrified and lost I felt at that exact moment. We spent an entire week confined in our homes, because what started as a riot had escalated into an armed conflict which caused people their lives and the destruction of buildings. Ever since, I began being interested in politics, in public service.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I enjoy learning, and growing through the process of learning. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting new people and learning from them. One thing I have learned from the experience in Fellowships, is the importance of the necessity for aspiring public servants to challenge their way of thinking, to be surrounded by people not only with different backgrounds, but different ideologies and learn through interacting with them.

JSI Scholar: Posi Oluwakuyide

Tell us about your story

My name is Posi Oluwakuyide, and I am rising senior at Washington and Lee University majoring in Economics and minoring in Law, Justice & Society and Poverty & Human Capability Studies. I am a Nigerian immigrant, and as an immigrant family, my parents always emphasized the importance of being grateful for what we had and recognizing the ways we could give back to others. Because of this, I was always interested in learning how to best help others, even from a young age. This transformed into something more tangible when I got to college and started learning about the systemic roots of poverty, as well as the various consequences and long-term effects of poverty. I realized that I wanted to learn how to address poverty by dismantling barriers to economic mobility, especially as it pertains to the Black community. Food justice in particular opens up bigger avenues of impact because of the ways creation of and access to food has historically been connected to economic market interactions and social determinants of health, both of which influences socioeconomic status. I hope to pursue a Ph.D. so that I can better develop a framework for understanding how issues related to food justice are connected to economic empowerment and mobility, as well as transform the ways that the fields of economics and public policy approach tackling these issues.

What path did you take when you first started college?

As a Bonner Scholar, I pledged to commit over 1,000 hours to community service, engagement and leadership development. As part of that commitment, I participated in a pre-orientation program called Volunteer Venture that introduced me to the nuanced issues of food and housing insecurity – specifically the intentional systemic policies that have caused Black generational poverty and continue to perpetuate inequities long after such laws have been overturned. I knew from then that I wanted to focus on social justice issues, so I chose two minors that would allow me to explore those issues academically and continued to work in the food justice space by volunteering at the local food pantry and taking on leadership positions with Campus Kitchen at W&L.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

I have always wanted to pursue a career in public service in some capacity. I started high school thinking that I wanted to go into law enforcement and entered college knowing that I preferred government work – but without any real understanding of what that meant or could look like. It was through the Bonner Program that I started to refine my understanding of ways to think about addressing society’s most pressing issues, whether domestically or internationally. I always knew that I wanted to.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My parents inspire me. Because of them, public service has been a core part of my being. They raised my siblings and I to always be conscious of the ways we can give back and leave our community better off, and that has translated into my academic, extracurricular, and career pursuits as well.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am most excited to be given the opportunity to engage with regional and community leaders, especially in a new setting as I have never been on the west coast. I have so much to learn from people who have already dedicated their lives to public policy, so I look forward to hearing from professionals and experts about the ways they engage with critical social issues to implement effective, informed policies and create long-lasting change.

JSI Scholar: Ben Justice

Tell us about your story

My name is Ben Justice and I’m from Western Kentucky. I was raised Pentecostal in a small town of 3,000. Neither of my parents graduated high school. Growing up, I didn’t always have electricity or running water but the people were always nice. I transferred to Kentucky School for the Deaf during high school and learned sign language. Because I was high achieving, my public school neglected to provide appropriate accommodation so I could have equal access in the classroom. Now I focus on education policy and advancement of the language rights of Deaf people. I am so happy to be blessed with opportunity to attend college. Now I am a politics major and education minor that values volunteering and working with communities.

What path did you take when you first started college?

When I first started college, I knew I already wanted to be engaged in some form of activism. I chose Centre College so I could be close to Kentucky School for the Deaf. At first I thought I was going to be a chemistry major but I changed my mind after taking a class on Fake News.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

I was deeply engaged with the 2016 election even though I was a minor. Many of the issues that came up directly impacted me. The coal mines in Kentucky were shutting down and my parents food stamps were cut. I also knew from the internet that many issues affected others directly. My freshman and sophomore year of college helped me discover ways to create meaningful change. I thought getting involved in public policy and public service was one significant way I could do that.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I’m really excited about the classes and doing coursework with my peers. I already jotted down everyone’s majors so I could have an idea of what they might know that I don’t. I consider myself a lifelong learner, so this opportunity to engage in lessons on leadership and tools for change means a lot to me.

JSI Scholar: Juan López

Tell us about your story

I was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and throughout my childhood, I witnessed firsthand the impact of politics and our territory’s status on my community. These experiences sparked my interest in policy and government. When Hurricane Maria struck the island when I was sixteen, the apparent lack of local agency and resulting exodus highlighted the consequences of our second-class citizenship and the shortcomings of our democratic government overseen by a non-elected council appointed by the United States Congress. This event solidified my interest in policy and prompted me to make a difference. As I navigated my American identity, I realized that the values and ideologies championed by the United States played a significant role in shaping who I am. This realization led me to pursue higher education at Loyola University Maryland. While studying there, I interned and volunteered at the Esperanza Center in Baltimore, witnessing firsthand the marginalization of communities beyond Puerto Ricans. This experience reinforced my commitment to public service and my desire to address the issues that affect marginalized communities.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

My interest in public policy, international affairs, and public service stems from my desire to impact communities that have been historically underserved and underrepresented positively. Through education and active participation in civil society, I can help make a difference in the lives of those left behind. I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to contribute to our country’s betterment and ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

I am inspired to think about public service through my experiences and desire to impact the world around me positively. From a young age, I have witnessed the impact of politics and policy on my community and have felt a strong desire to help make a difference. This desire has only strengthened as I have grown older and gained more knowledge and skills. I am committed to using my abilities and resources to help address the many challenges facing our society and work towards creating a more just and equitable world for all. While many people have inspired me along the way, my own motivation and passion for public service are what drive me forward. I recognize that one’s ability to champion issues is most effective when rooted in personal experience. As such, I am dedicated to ensuring Puerto Ricans receive equal representation and access to federal development programs that would establish a strong foundation for admission into the American Union.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

What excites me most about attending the JSI at the University of Washington is the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with other like-minded individuals who are passionate about public service and social justice. The JSI offers a unique and intensive program that will allow me to understand better the issues facing our society and the skills and tools needed to address them. I also look forward to the hands-on, practical experience offered by the program. From the workshops and seminars to the group projects and networking opportunities, the JSI offers a comprehensive and immersive learning experience that will help me grow personally and professionally. This will be a massive stepping stone in my public servant journey. I am also excited to see the Fourth of July celebrations at the Space Needle!

JSI Scholar: Gloria Arizmendiz

Tell us about your story

I grew up in a border town, so I have always been surrounded by two cultures. Even though it’s a privilege to be this close to my Mexican heritage, I also grew up seeing the heavy militarization of the border and injustices in the communities I grew up in. In high school after being inspired by one of my social studies teachers, I decided to get more involved in political issues and found passion in actively contributing to impact-focus change. This ambition to contribute to my communities has led me to meet amazing people that have mentored me along the way, as I am sure the UW staff will do.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

Giving back to the communities that gave me so much.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

My mother and siblings, as they always push me to be the best version of myself.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

Being around like-minded peers and staff that want to contribute to the diversity and inclusion of underrepresented groups in public service, but also — experience Seattle in the summer!

Alumni Spotlight: Isaac “Izzy” Sederbaum, MPA ‘14, Ph.D. Candidate

Izzy Sederbaum’s research has been getting a lot of attention lately. In the past few months, he has received funding awards from the University of Wisconsin at Madison’s Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP), the Russell Sage Foundation, and the University of Washington’s Population Health Initiative to study how administrative burdens affect transgender people in the United States. It’s enough support to fund two full quarters. But more importantly, the funding means that there are other people who are excited about his research.

After completing his MPA at the Evans School in 2014, Izzy spent five years as a researcher working with jurisdictions around the country to rethink their approaches to youth incarceration, both at the Center for Court Innovation and the Vera Institute of Justice. While working with these institutions, he often tried to get a sense of how queer kids were moving through the justice system only to be told repeatedly that there simply weren’t any.

Interested in asking his own research questions, Izzy decided to pursue a Ph.D. and started back at the Evans School in Fall 2019. In his second year, he took a course on organizational theory with faculty member Benjamin M. Brunjes, who introduced him to academic literature on administration burden. Izzy noticed that literature failed to mention trans communities and people, despite their often precarious living situations and need for safety net programs.

As Izzy dug deeper, he noticed that many common technical fixes to administrative processes weren’t solving problems for trans people trying to navigate government systems. He noticed that no one was asking trans communities about the challenges they were facing or how administrative processes might be improved.

His dissertation is just the first step into making more accessible policies.

JSI Scholar: Jose Castillo

Tell us about your story

I was born in the Bronx, where I got the chance to interact with many different cultures and traditions. I wanted to explore the world, so I got involved in leadership programs like Global Glimpse, allowing me to visit countries like the Dominican Republic and Denmark. However, I began learning the importance of understanding one’s own identity, own culture, upholding traditions, but also the history and turmoil each country struggles with. I want to bring communities together for positive change and mutual understanding.

What made you consider a career in public policy/public service/international affairs?

I got the opportunity to live abroad during my summer abroad internship and learned about different cultures through my undergraduate career. I learned about the history of many countries and took classes to learn basic speaking languages, to better communicate with other people. However, I want to be more involved in international affairs and help countries in need of assistance. I want to help bring mutual understanding between countries and help countries during times of crisis, times of war, or during political turmoil. To do that, I want to pursue a career in international affairs and public service to help those who can’t help themselves.

Who inspires you to think about public service?

I am inspired by the people I met during my abroad experiences and life. I am inspired by the Moabit Hilft volunteers that were once Syrian refugees and are now helping Ukrainian refugees resettle in Berlin, Germany. I am inspired by Jose, a community leader from the Dominican Republic, who worked to build a community center for both Haitian and Dominican neighbors to help further understand their differences through community events. I am inspired by my Dad, who gave food and advice to the neighborhood I grew up in, even taking the time to learn Arabic to further communicate with our neighbors. I want to be a public service leader to further help communities and refugees in need of assistance.

What are you most excited about the JSI program at UW?

I am excited to explore the West-coast of the United States. My main interest has always been going abroad and exploring new countries, but rarely get the chance to travel beyond the East Coast. I am excited to explore Seattle and the University of Washington.