MPA Program at CCNY
Recipients of our Changemaker Scholarships choose among three scholarship tracks: management, research, or social innovation. They use the scholarship to support work that advances their career goals by helping them get experience, develop skills, gain knowledge, and build relationships in their field.
Nine students received changemaker scholarships in spring 2018, made possible by generous funding from the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service.
Our social innovation fellows explore creative approaches to social change that go outside the limits of government and the nonprofit sector. Sumaira Khan is exploring solutions to the lack of access to public hygiene in urban slums in Pakistan. Raisa Alam is investigating interventions aimed at eradicating the institution of child marriage in South Asia. Jocelyn Gao is seeking ways to overcome the cultural taboo around postpartum depression and mental health care in minority communities. Lorena Camacho is studying ways to increase parental involvement in predominantly minority urban school districts. Kevin Mason is examining community-responsive curriculum and other alternatives geared to improve school performance in rural schools in upstate New York.
On the management track, Daniela de la Puente performed policy research on multilateral cooperation and human rights at the Peruvian diplomatic mission to the U.N., and Yaritza Holguin (pictured, upper right) gained experience in constituent services as an intern in Congressman Espaillat's offices in both New York City and Washington, D.C.
Research fellow Older Vera (pictured, right) developed and analyzed surveys to examine student experiences in remedial coursework as part of a research project at the CUNY Graduate Center. Robert Bentlyewski laid the groundwork for an innovative study of secession politics and racial segregation of schools and social services in New Jersey towns.