Hometown: Queens, New York
Why did you choose McCourt? I chose McCourt because it felt like the perfect mix of everything I wanted in a public policy program. The school’s focus on evidence-based policy and building quantitative skills really stood out to me—I want to make decisions based on solid data, not just guesses. Plus, being in Washington, D.C., means I’m right in the middle of where things happen, with access to federal agencies, think tanks, and all kinds of opportunities to get hands-on experience and network.
McCourt also has a really great balance in its curriculum—covering everything from economics to data science to governance—which matches up perfectly with my interests. And honestly, their focus on public service and making a real impact really clicked with what I want to do in my career. It just felt like the right place for me.
What professional/ work experience did you have prior to coming to McCourt? I came to McCourt having graduated a few months prior from my undergraduate institution. The little work experience that I had during college was during the summers including working at the MLB Players’ Trust, a non-profit working with the Major League Baseball Players’ Association to augment professional baseball players’ charities and the New York State Democratic Committee, where I helped oversee vetting and staffing for local election campaigns.
What has been the best part of your experience so far? The best part of my McCourt experience so far has been the sense of community and the opportunity to dive into real-world policy challenges with some incredibly smart and passionate people. The discussions in class go beyond theory—it’s all about applying what we learn to solve actual problems, which keeps things practical and exciting.
I’ve also loved the access to policy professionals and guest speakers who are actively shaping the policies we study. Being in D.C. has meant networking with people in government, nonprofits, and think tanks, which has been both inspiring and helpful for my career goals. And, of course, the friendships I’ve built with my classmates—they’re not just colleagues, but a group of people I know I’ll keep learning from for years to come.
Student organization involvement while at McCourt:
Georgetown Public Policy Review – Assistant Editor
Georgetown Education Policy Initiative – Program Manager
Undergraduate University, degree, and major: Cornell University, Industrial and Labor Relations, Minors in International Relations and Law & Society
Hobbies/ Interests: Baseball, Soccer, Tennis, Football, Running, Travel, Spending time with friends
Reach out to me about: McCourt straight out of undergrad, feeling unsure about particular policy area of interest, non -quantitative background