Bringing the numbers game to policy studies

A love of numbers is what originally lured Jake Kochmansky (MPP’23) to McCourt. As an undergraduate at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania — where he played baseball — Kochmansky double majored in math and political science.

“The quantitative focus really drew me in,” Kochmansky says. “That’s where you get the true research and support for your policy decisions.”

While at Lehigh, he worked as a field organizer for Pennsylvania’s GOP, his “first taste” of politics, and interned for the National Republican Congressional Committee. The experiences proved challenging and rewarding, solidifying his passion but ultimately driving him to pursue a career in policy. After graduating as the pandemic raged in 2020, Kochmansky had a brief moment of panic.

“I thought, ‘Now what? What am I going to do?’” He decided to apply to the White House Internship Program and landed a role in Vice President Pence’s speechwriting office. “There’s nothing like walking through those White House gates every morning,” Kochmansky says. “You really get that sense that you’re helping people, that you’re making a difference in someone’s life. It was an honor of a lifetime and I’ll never forget it.”

That fall 2020 semester was also his start at McCourt. When asked about his favorite memories of student life over the years, his answer comes easily. “It happens all the time,” he says. “It’s when you’re sitting in class, having a discussion, and someone brings a different perspective. Our evening cohort has become such a close-knit group over the last two years. Hearing everyone’s perspectives about where they come from, how they look at a problem, is truly enlightening. We’re so open with each other, and it’s been a great experience to really help understand how other people think. You don’t always get that.”

Another highlight has been his experiences as a Teaching Assistant for two McCourt School quantitative classes and one public management course. For him, being a TA is about more than helping students solve equations and get to the right number. It’s about communicating foundations and exploring keystone concepts together — often with a dry erase marker in hand.

“I absolutely love teaching and helping students through these classes,” he says. “I’m not afraid to bring out my whiteboard.”

Kochmansky is also an Evening Program Representative for the McCourt Student Association, as well as a McCourt Ambassador for the admissions office. And in between studies, he’s working full time as a legislative correspondent and communications assistant for Representative John Moolenaar (R-MI 4th District).

“Being a former student athlete has really prepared me for this. I certainly wouldn’t be here today without my parents, coaches, teammates and friends who pushed me to be the best version of myself,” he says. “I’m trying to make the most of my experiences and focus on what’s going on right now.”