BA YEARBOOK BACHELOR OF ARTS IN PUBLIC POLICY PROGRAM
VOL V | SPRING 2018
“D
ear students: Wow! You bring such energy and engagement to the Ford School. It has been a real pleasure to get to know you during my first year as dean. To the class of 2018: You’re my first graduating class, and I’ve been inspired by your leadership, your dedication to public service, and your creativity. I’ve learned a lot from you about how to listen and talk across difference, to build bridges to get things done. I am confident that you will go on to do amazing work in your careers, and I look forward to hearing about your experiences. Please stay in touch! Best wishes.” MICHAEL S. BARR Joan and Sanford Weill Dean; Frank Murphy Collegiate Professor of Public Policy; Roy F. and Jean Humphrey Proffitt Professor of Law
“I encourage us to feel a little feisty, read up, reach out, then go out there and make some change. Thank you to my rockstar cohort for the honor and delight of learning beside you and from you.” SO JUNG KIM (BA ’18) Delivering remarks on behalf of the Ford School undergraduate class of 2018
Congratulations,
GRADUATES! Ali Al Momar Molly Aronson Mario Arribas Carolyn Ayaub Caleb Beavers Dylan Bennett Garrett M. Burton Kyle Butler Charles Firestone Callis Claire Cepuran Vineet Chandra Evan Charney Tiffany Y. Chau Tierra Angelique Christian Joe Cianciola Victoria Lee Colbert Rowan Conybeare Daniel Distler Bridget Colleen Doyle Brock DuCoin Lauren Farrell
@fordschool
Peter Fawley Emily Fulks Geoffrey Gamm Caroline Garau Stephanie Mary Gusching Areeba Haider Joshua Lawrence Hoffman Gloriela Iguina-Colón Ibrahim Ijaz Ross Jablon Nadine Jawad Will Jermyn Nia Joyner Emily Kabeshita Aditi Katti Benjamin Keller Sarah Khan So Jung Madeline Kim Irene Kwon Samuel Jacob Lawrence
Gabriel Lerner Cara Levy Clara Li Ellen Loubert Elizabeth Warner Makuch Joshua C. Martin Avi Mendelson Camelia Metwally Talha Aziz Mirza Imad M. Mourad Patrick MullanKoufopoulos Rhea Ninan Audrey Pittman Lisa R. Pomeranz Connor Priest Katie Putnam Grace Elizabeth Pynnonen Kate Reinertson Jill Emily Rosenfeld
Meghan E. Rowley Jordan Sandman Ilan Siegel Anna Mae Silver Jack Ulses Cina Vazir-Zadeh Christian Villanueva Stephen Wallace Kathryn Warbel Andrew Watkins Ella Webb Julia Weigand Melanie Tate Wellstein Francesca Sara Werner Chandani Wiersba Emma Will Ashley Wilson Hohyun Yoon
#fordschool18
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(L-R): Evon Yao (PPE ‘20), Josh Martin (BA ‘18), and grandmother 12
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PHOTO GRID (BOTTOM):
PHOTO BOOTH (RIGHT):
1: Jill Rosenfeld (BA ‘18) 2: Nadine Jawad (BA ‘18) and Chandani Wiersba (BA ‘18) 3: Tory Colbert (BA ‘18) 4: Andrew Watkins (BA ‘18) 5: Ibrahim Ijaz (BA ‘18) 6: Geoff Gamm (BA ‘18) 7: Great Hall 8: Lively music 9: Sammy Lawrence (BA ‘18)
10: Nadine Jawad (BA ‘18) and
Gloriela Iguina-Colón (BA ‘18) 11: Charlie Callis (BA ‘18), Rowan Conybeare (BA ‘18), and Patrick Mullan-Koufopoulos (BA ‘18) 12: Katie Putman (BA ‘18) and family 13: Elizabeth Makuch (BA ‘18) and Beth Soboleski (Assoc. Director of Admissions)
14: Camelia Metwally (BA ‘18), Areeba Haider (BA ‘18), and Katie Putman (BA ‘18) 15: Emily Kabeshita (BA ‘18) and family 16: Dylan Bennett (BA ‘18) and family 17: Emma Will (BA ‘18), Cara Levy (BA ‘18), and Emily Fulks (BA ‘18)
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Final notes to our students... FAV O R I T E FO R D SCHOOL MEMORIES “Meeting Oscar Arias, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and former President of Costa Rica, at his home in San José with my global seminar class was a highlight in my BA experience. It was really special to hear his advice for us as future policy makers. I felt really grateful to attend a school like Ford that had these amazing connections and opportunities for its students.” GRACE PYNNONEN (BA ‘18)
“A Q&A opportunity on the last day of class with Betsey Stevenson!” DYLAN BENNETT (BA ‘18)
“N
ow that the Fordie BA program is officially ten years old, we have enough data points to confirm several hypotheses.
1.
That in the annals of holiday skits, your Jeopardy entry ranks high.
2.
That your broomball skills outclassed all previous nine BA classes.
3.
That what job recruiters look for in Fordies are skills in policy analysis, quantitative reasoning, memo writing, and, yes, broomball. (And in reverse order of importance.)
4.
That we at the Writing Center have very much enjoyed getting to work with you. Teaching at the Ford School is a heartening experience—and you all, Class of 2018, are a big reason for this.
“Leftover/free food from all the dope events.” TALHA MIRZA (BA ‘18)
We wish you all the very best in your next chapters. Come back with stories to tell.” BETH CHIMERA, DAVID MORSE, AND ALEX RALPH Ford School Writing Center Instructors
“C
lass of 2018 (and particularly my 495ers), I cannot fully express just how much you impressed me with your ability to think critically, write clearly, and willingly give (and receive!) constructive feedback. I look forward to hearing about your future accomplishments; you know my door is always open.” SARAH MILLS Senior Project Manager at CLOSUP
@fordschool
“T
he Ford School BA class of 2018 is going to change the world! I have been constantly impressed and inspired by your individual and collective aspirations, passion, hard work and good cheer. I wish you all the best as you forge ahead with your important work (including program and policy evaluation). You are a special group of Leaders and Best!” PAULA LANTZ Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Professor of Public Policy
“C
ongratulations on your achievement class of 2018! Over the last two years I’ve had the opportunity to teach many of our wonderful graduating seniors. I’m so glad I’ve gotten the opportunity to discuss issues of poverty and social policy with you and to learn about policies from you as well. Best of luck, and I look forward to hearing about how you are changing the world!” NATASHA PILKAUSKAS Assistant Professor of Public Policy
“C
ongratulations to the Ford School BA class of 2018! I’d like to give a special shout-out to the seniors in my W18 PP495 class: Brock, Aditi, Ben, Talha, Mel and Ashley. Now that you have survived 8:30 am discussions about financial crises twice a week, you are ready for anything. I will miss you and look forward to hearing about all the ways you are making the world a better place.” KATHRYN DOMINGUEZ Professor of Public Policy and Economics
“W
hat a great group of students! The members of my “Drugs and Thugs” class were active, enthusiastic, hard-working, bright and sharp. I could go on with more adjectives, but what really struck me were student attitudes during our discussions. Disagreements were civil, respectful, friendly and often infused with a bit of light humor. In these days when polarization and bitterness seem so prevalent in political discourse, this was very encouraging for our future. Keep it up class of 2018!” AMBASSADOR MELVYN LEVITSKY Professor of International Policy & Practice
FAVO R I T E FO R D SCHOOL MEMORIES “Remember when the grad students CLEANED THE FRIDGE.” SAMMY LAWRENCE (BA ‘18)
“At the end of the Fall 2017 semester, the Dangerous Peacemaking seminar with Yazier - which was all seniors went out for lunch at Cottage Inn! And earlier that week, Yazier showed us a slideshow of pictures of him from when he was organizing in South Africa. That week was really fun because we got to talk with each other and relax a bit when finals were practically over, and Yazier let us ask him any questions we wanted.” CHANDANI WIERSBA (BA ‘18)
“T
o my Irrational Actors and Psychology of Climate Changers - it was such a pleasure getting to know you and hear your perspectives this year. I am continually impressed by the Ford BA students’ ability to think critically about tough topics— whether race, environmental policy, or politics—and offer evidence-based policy proposals. This year’s students rose to the challenge with energy and passion for the world around them, and it was wonderful to see the wide array of interests and areas of expertise you brought into the classroom. Congratulations and I hope you’ll keep in touch!” KAITLIN RAIMI Assistant Professor of Public Policy
“Hours of conversations with a truly life-changing mentor, Mel Levitsky, and finding the best friendship among my classmates Imad, Nadine, and Gloriela.” IBRAHIM IJAZ (BA ‘18)
Field experience JA M E S B . AN GELL SCH O L A R S Angell Scholars are undergraduate students who earn all A’s for two or more consecutive terms in a calendar year. Congratulations to: Carolyn Ayaub Caleb Beavers Garrett Burton Daniel Distler Lauren Farrell Geoffrey Gamm Caroline Garau Emily Kabeshita Elizabeth Makuch Joshua Martin Talha Mirza Rhea Ninan Lisa Pomeranz Connor Priest Jill Rosenfeld Jordan Sandman Anna Silver Cina Vazir-Zadeh Andrew Watkins Emily Yerington Hohyun Yoon
“I
fell in love with journalism because it enables me to simultaneously pursue my two favorite things – using my mind to think critically and improve my writing craft, and to, if I do my job well, connect people through, and perhaps despite, time and space – making the world just a bit more connected.” - Will Feuer (BA ‘19), who interned with Southeast Asia Globe in Cambodia
Gloriela Iguina-Colón (BA ‘18) interned in Washington, DC with Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY6). GLORIELA’S FAVORITE FORD SCHOOL MEMORY:
“Every moment with the incredible women of SCPP-Undergrad!! Thank you for the community and love! Also, late nights with Nadine, Imad and Ibby :) Love you!”
At the MLK Spirit Award ceremony
MLK S P I R I T AWARD The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spirit Award recognizes students who best exemplify the leadership and extraordinary vision of the civil rights leader. Congratulations to: Gloriela Iguina-Colón and Yvonne Navarrete @fordschool
“A
fter six months in the hub of national politics, I return to Ann Arbor with a wider definition of ‘public service,’ a greater awareness of the stakeholders in the civic sphere, and a determination to learn as much as possible in the classroom during my last year of undergrad.” - So Jung Kim (BA ‘18), who interned with Congressman Alan Lowenthal (D-CA47)
Tory Colbert (BA ‘18) interned in Washington, DC with Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-NY6). Also pictured: Kyle Butler, So Jung Kim, and Emily Kabeshita TORY’S FAVORITE FORD SCHOOL MEMORY:
“My favorite Ford class was undoubtably Professor Levitsky’s 495. I will never forget my role as the Secretary of Transportation in solving a bioterrorism crisis with some of my fellow seniors.”
Thinking globally
T
his winter, the Ford School offered a groundbreaking new international opportunity to our BA students: a seminar punctuated by a study trip to Costa Rica. Read more about the course in the Spring 2018 issue of State & Hill, the Ford School’s magazine.
PH I BETA KA P PA IN DUCT EES Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776, is the oldest scholastic honorary society in America. Congratulations to: Caleb Beavers Daniel Distler Lauren Farrell Geoffrey Gamm Caroline Garau Stephanie Gusching Nadine Jawad William Jermyn So Jung Kim Elizabeth Makuch Camelia Metwally Rhea Ninan Lisa Pomeranz Jill Rosenfeld Jordan Sandman Anna Silver Cina Vazir-Zadeh
R H O D E S SCH O L A R Congratulations to Nadine Jawad on her selection as a 2018 Rhodes Scholar!
Student life STU D E N T L EAD ERS Alumni Board So Jung Kim (BA ‘18), BA Rep
Central Student Government Nadine Jawad (BA ‘18), Vice President Andrew Watkins (BA ‘18), Ford Rep
Gamma Rho Phi Talha Mirza (BA ‘18), President Ross Jablon (BA ‘18), Vice President Tory Colbert (BA ‘18), Secretary Aditi Katti (BA ‘18), Treasurer Jack Ulses (BA ‘18), Community Service Chair
Students present Ford School Dean Michael S. Barr with a commemorative “Barr Crawl” t-shirt. L-R: Dean Barr, Sonia Thosar (Engineering), Nick Tomaino (BA ‘20), and Elizabeth Makuch (BA ‘18)
Out in Public Geoffrey Gamm (BA ’18) Alana Spellman (BA ‘19)
Peer Advisors Geoffrey Gamm (BA ’18) Elizabeth Makuch (BA ’18) Ashley Wilson (BA ’18)
Students of Color in Public Policy (SCPP) Gloriela Iguina-Colón (BA ‘18), co-chair Rhea Ninan (BA ‘18), co-chair
Committee Chairs: Riyah Basha (BA ‘19), Darine Bailey (BA ‘19), Allie Brown (BA ‘19), Emily Kabeshita (BA ‘18), Zoha Qureshi (BA ‘19), Drea Somers (BA ‘19)
Gramlich Showcase. 1: Grace Pynnonen (BA ‘18), Jill Rosenfeld (BA ‘18), Maitreyi Anantharaman (BA ‘19), Allison Berry (BA ‘19); 2: Allie Brown (BA ‘19), Emily Kabeshita (BA ‘18); 3: Dean Barr, Ben Keller (BA ‘18), Camelia Metwally (BA ‘18)
Undergraduate Council (UGC) Sammy Lawrence (BA ’18), Julia Weigand (BA ‘18), Kate Reinertson (BA ‘18), Jill Rosenfeld (BA ‘18), Fran Werner (BA ‘18), David Bluhm (BA ‘19), Maddy Carter (BA ‘19), Emily Kabeshita (BA ‘18), Darine Bailey (BA ‘19)
Women and Gender in Public Policy (WGPP) Tierra Christian (BA ’18), Aditi Katti (BA ‘18), Sophia Sherry (BA ‘19)
Celebrating the end of the year At the Yoni Ki Baat show w/ So at a student-organized senior Jung, Tierra, Aditi, Chandani, bar Barr crawl Camy, Areeba, Katie
↓ BA PEER ADVISORS Geoff Gamm, Elizabeth Makuch, and Ashley Wilson
Campaigning for the momentUM party in Central Student Government elections @fordschool
Women of color dinner with Irene, Clara, So Jung, Tiffany, Gloriela, Rhea, Sarah, Areeba, Camy, Chandani, Tierra
Broomball team Betty Wap: Emma Will, Elizabeth Makuch, Tiffany Chau, So Jung Kim, Jill Rosenfeld
Events UN DERGRAD U AT E O R G S Undergraduate Council (UGC) Gamma Rho Phi Students of Color in Public Policy
POL ICY SEM I NA R S Fall 2018 Ford School-only event with Coach B. BACK: Emma Will (BA ‘18), Geoffrey Gamm (BA ‘18), CJ Mayer (BA ‘19), Coach John Beilein, Ross Jablon (BA ‘18), Sammy Lawrence (BA ‘18), Emily Fulks (BA ‘18), Dean Barr. FRONT: So Jung Kim (BA ‘18), and Maitreyi Anantharaman (BA ‘19)
Crime, Drugs, and Terrorism Ambassador Melvyn Levitsky
Poverty, Inequality, and Public Policy Natasha Pilkauskas Apology, Reconciliation, Reparations, and Public Policy Yazier Henry
History of Public Policy Joy Rohde
Popcorn? Check! Welcome Week featured a screening of Gerald R. Ford: A Test of Character, narrated by Jeff Daniels
Sammy Lawrence (BA ‘18) poses a question to U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD3) during a student-only conversation
“Pop-ups at the Ford School” brought food trucks and local coffee to nourish nerdy policy minds throughout the year
Irrational Actors: Psychological Approaches to Decision Making Kaitlin Raimi
Winter 2018 Energy and Environmental Policy Sarah Mills
Global Financial Markets Kathryn Dominguez Philanthropic Foundations Megan Tompkins-Stange
Nadine Jawad (BA ‘18) asks a question of Amnesty International Secretary General Kumi Naidoo at Policy Talks
Lena Dreves (BA ‘19) at the LGBTQ Monologues, hosted by the Spectrum Center
When do you use a boa, frisbee, dapper hat, and oversized sunglasses? Charity Auction’s photo booth, of course
↓ SCPP BA PIPELINE EVENTS SCPP hosted application workshops and other events for prospective students
CJ Mayer (BA ‘18) asks a question of former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker at Policy Talks
This year’s Policy Talks lineup featured GOP strategist and political commentator Ana Navarro
Mike Ford, Susan Rogel, Nadine Jawad (BA ‘18), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and Dean Barr delivered remarks at a celebration marking the 100th anniversary of Betty Ford’s birth
Stay connected CONNECTED+INFORMED Complete your graduation survey with your preferred email address. Join the Ford School’s LinkedIn and Facebook groups, and follow us on social media.
NEW JOB? PROMOTION? Update your information at fordschool.umich.edu/stay-connected/update
RSVP FOR A SPIRIT DAY NEAR YOU »
Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day J U LY 12, 2018 Chicago, DC, Detroit, Lansing, New York, San Francisco Raise a glass to the Ford School and its namesake, President Gerald R. Ford! Friends, students, and alumni: Let’s celebrate President Ford’s birthday! Join us at the eighth annual Worldwide Ford School Spirit Day on Thursday, July 12. It’s a great opportunity to socialize, network, and share your Ford School spirit, all in the name of President Ford. All Spirit Day gatherings are free to attend; food and drinks are available for purchase. If your city isn’t on the list, contact Elisabeth Johnston, assistant director for alumni relations (eajohnst@umich.edu or 734-615-5760), to learn how you can organize a gathering near you.
SAVE THE DATES!
Homecoming 2018
Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy University of Michigan Joan and Sanford Weill Hall 735 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-3091 734 764 3490 fordschool.umich.edu
Betty Ford: First Lady, Women’s Advocate, Survivor, Trailblazer FRIDAY, OCT. 5 | 2-4 P.M. | 1120 WEILL HALL All are invited to hear from Lisa McCubbin, the author of an acclaimed new biography of Mrs. Betty Ford. A light reception will follow the talk, and copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.
Wolverines vs. Terrapins SATURDAY, OCT. 6 | NOON | MICHIGAN STADIUM Cheer on the Wolverines, with your fellow Fordies, as they take on the Maryland Terrapins in the annual Homecoming game! Football tickets are available for purchase in a special Ford School section for $75/ticket plus a $10 service fee/ticket. Tickets are limited and the deadline to purchase is August 24, 2018. » Learn more at fordschool.umich.edu
In 2017-2018, the Ford School offered 30 BA students scholarships for unpaid internship opportunities (up from 24) and 16 BA students needbased scholarships (up from 14) to defray the cost of attendance. Thank you to the students who gave to the 2018 Class Gift! The Class Gift Fund offers all Fordies extra assistance as needed, including help with unexpected financial hardship, internship funding, career development, and more. Fordies support the Ford School! We rely on your support to provide scholarships and meet student need. Make a gift online or call (734) 615-3892.