McCourt alumna returns to the Hilltop as Associate Director of the Massive Data Institute

The Massive Data Institute (MDI) at the McCourt School of Public Policy recently welcomed McCourt alumna Anjelika Deogirikar Grossman (MPP‘14) as its new associate director. “We are very excited to have Anjelika join us,” said Michael Bailey, director of the Massive Data Institute. “She knows Georgetown, the McCourt School and the open data space. I am confident she will help MDI continue growing in its efforts to build data science expertise at Georgetown and to improve public policy across a variety of areas.”

As a graduate student at McCourt, Grossman focused on technology innovation policy, and completed internships at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and the U.S. Department of State’s Office of eDiplomacy. Her research interest in comparative policies on data access, transparency and privacy between the European Union and United States led her to study abroad in Berlin, Germany, through the McCourt School’s exchange with the Hertie School of Governance . 

“During my time at McCourt, I took advantage of invaluable experiential learning opportunities and courses taught by professors who had directly worked on public policy. I learned the importance of research-driven policymaking and was given the space to pursue professional growth in parallel with my academics,” said Grossman.

Since leaving the Hilltop, she has remained connected with the McCourt community as an active member of our Alumni Board. Grossman credits an alumni event in Fall 2020 for a renewed interest in returning to DC. “It was a great opportunity to get reconnected with McCourt during the pandemic,” she said. “I was so grateful Dean Cancian wanted to speak with alums outside of the beltway and share her vision for the future of McCourt.” 

For Grossman, the opportunity to join MDI’s growing team was a natural fit. “I’ve always been motivated by a love of learning,” she said. “I’m excited to contribute to MDI’s impact on applied research at the intersection of technology innovation policy, data science and education.”

Shaping the next chapter of cutting-edge research and partnerships

To the Massive Data Institute, Grossman brings nearly two decades of expertise in public policy, organizational management and research from the private and public sectors, as well as a deep understanding of the value of experiential learning in students’ development. Most recently, she was the Director of Experiential Learning and Global Education at Castilleja School, an independent school for girls in grades six through twelve in Palo Alto, California.

As Associate Director of MDI, Grossman will provide centralized leadership across the Institute, identify where there could be synergies across research projects and partnerships, and provide strategic direction for MDI programming and communications. “MDI has the privilege of being a convener, and I am committed to helping our organization identify its role in thinking about research in a way that’s inclusive,” she said.

In her new role, Grossman will support the growth of cutting-edge technical research opportunities and innovative partnerships to effect even greater change within the public policy community. Grossman, who will continue serving on the McCourt Alumni Board, also aspires to create more pathways for current and future students to build and foster connections, including with MDI.