McCourt School announces the Joan Dougherty Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate public policy majors
Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy is honored to announce the establishment of the Joan Dougherty Endowed Scholarship Fund, created to honor the memory and legacy of Joan Dougherty C’77. The scholarship is the first dedicated to the McCourt School’s Joint Program in Public Policy, which offers undergraduates in the class of 2027 and beyond the opportunity to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy.
“We’re touched by Joan’s generosity and her desire to help educate the next generation of public policy leaders,” said Carole Roan Gresenz, Dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy. “This scholarship will play an important role as our public policy undergraduate program continues to grow in the years ahead.”
The Joint Program in Public Policy (JPPP) is the first collaboration between Georgetown’s College of Arts & Sciences and McCourt School of Public Policy. JPPP students spend their junior and senior years studying at the McCourt School on Georgetown’s Capitol Campus.
About Joan Dougherty C’77
Photograph of Joan Dougherty (C’77), taken in 1991.
Joan Dougherty arrived at Georgetown from Queens, New York, where she discovered not only academic opportunity but also lifelong friendships and transformative experiences. Her junior year abroad in Switzerland became what she fondly remembered as “one of the most magical years of her life,” reflecting the global perspective that would shape her career and worldview.
After graduating from Georgetown, Joan pursued a Master of Arts in Public and Urban Policy from the New School, launching a distinguished career in municipal analysis with prestigious institutions including Moody’s and Wachovia Bank. Throughout her professional life, she remained committed to public policy work that served the greater good, finding deep fulfillment in contributing to the welfare of communities and society.
A proud New Yorker at heart, Joan was passionate about travel, history, and genealogy, tracing her Irish roots with the same analytical precision she brought to her professional work. Though never one to seek the spotlight, she overcame significant obstacles with grace and determination, always maintaining her love of life and commitment to meaningful work.
The Scholarship’s Mission
The Joan Dougherty Endowed Scholarship Fund will support Georgetown JPPP students who demonstrate:
- Academic excellence and dedication to their studies
- Interest in public policy, public service, or related fields
- Financial need and U.S. citizenship
- The potential to make meaningful contributions to their communities
This scholarship honors Joan’s belief in the transformative power of education and her lifelong commitment to working for the benefit of others. It will help ensure that future students, like Joan, can pursue their educational dreams and develop the skills needed to serve the public good. The first scholarship will be awarded for the 2026/2027 academic year.