Ben Mindes
MPP '19
Current position and employer: Project Manager for Interagency Initiatives, Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED), DC Government.
Hometown and current city: Washington, DC
Why did you choose chosen McCourt? I chose McCourt in large part for its location. There is no rival to being in DC for public policy focused students and the team at McCourt is incredibly well positioned to help students gain footholds in any sector that may be of interest. I also chose McCourt because of its recent commitment to new initiatives like the Baker Center for Leadership and Governance, which challenges students to debate and produce policy solutions with a particular focus on restoring public trust in America's democratic institutions. For me personally, the Baker Center's mission allowed me to apply my previous work experience working with similar institutions abroad to a domestic context at a critical juncture in American politics.
What was the best part of your experience? The people. My fellow MPP classmates are an incredibly diverse, talented, and passionate bunch, and it is a pleasure getting to know them and working with them to survive Microeconomics problem sets in solidarity.
What internships did you have during your time at McCourt? I spent the summer between 1st and 2nd year at McCourt working as a Baker Center fellow and participating in a six-week McCourt class consulting for the Government of Ecuador.
Student organization involvement while at McCourt: Baker Center Student Advisory Committee.
Undergraduate Degree and University: I graduated from Boston College with a B.A in 2011, majoring in Political Science and minoring in Asian Studies.
Hobbies / Interests: I graduated in May 2019 and am currently living in Mt. Vernon Triangle with my girlfriend (also a McCourt alum!) and our dog, Ruby. When we are not working, we can be found exploring the city, cooking, and spoiling Ruby. I am a DC native and have been living here since returning from college.