MSSP+DA Alumni
Rebecca McGavin, MSSP+DA’18
Policy and Planning Analyst, Duke Health
“The MSSP+DA program allowed me to study, research, and find a way to combine my passions for data, visualization, and social policy. It was the people: my cohort, professors, and the administration who enabled me to thrive and pursue my passions while developing advanced quantitative and critical methods.”
Maofeng Lin, MSSP+DA’17
Management Associate, DBS Bank (Hong Kong)
“I can’t find a better cohort with diverse background, intellectual insights, and passionate voices. I was fortunate to work seamlessly with them and get the mentoring throughout our conversations. I couldn’t possibly think of a more fantastic way to spend my two years other than SP2.”
Julian Quiros, MSSP+DA’17
Data and Program Evaluation Assistant, Philadelphia Department of Human Services
“The Master of Science in Social Policy and Certificate in Data Analytics program not only equipped me with advanced quantitative skills and knowledge, but also prepared me to think critically about how these methods are being employed in the policy arena.”
MSSP Alumni
Alvaro Sanchez, MSSP’18
Analyst, Economic Growth and Mobility Project, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia
“The MSSP program is an ideal fit for any individual looking to build on their policy analysis and quantitative research skillset. During my time at SP2, I found myself immersed in an environment that challenged me to develop a nuanced understanding of my policy issue areas and drove me to expand my understanding of how social policy can empower the marginalized communities we engage in this work for.”
Jason Leach, MSSP’18
Associate, District Performance Office, The School District of Philadelphia
“The MSSP program was transformative for me and put me on the career path I enjoy today. The coursework sharpened my analytical skills, especially my ability to assess institutions and the policies they put forward. Will a new policy be effective, comprehensive, and enforceable? What are its chances in today’s political climate? And most importantly whom does it serve?”
Maddie Leonard, MSSP’18
Health Policy Analyst, LMI
“The MSSP Program provided me with both a strong understanding of the policymaking process and a comprehensive skill set to write, research, and analyze social policy. It solidified my interest in the intersection of evidence-based research and community-driven policy interventions and gave me the background to contextualize current policies and the preparation to influence and assess future policy.”
Andalisa Lopez, MSW/MSSP’18
Data and Evaluation Analyst, Congreso de Latinos Unidos
“SP2’s dual MSW/MSSP program provides students with a well-rounded education and ensures they are critically interrogating issues of race and economic inequality through fieldwork while preparing students to meaningfully enter policy discussions. I believe my experience at SP2 was made even richer through my dual coursework.”
Irene Hong, MSSP’18
Associate Attorney, DLA Piper LLP
“My MSSP experience was truly interdisciplinary, and I’ve been incredibly fortunate to attend a university that encourages the pursuit of knowledge. My studies focused on the intersection of international tax, law, business, and social policy, and I am confident that this interdisciplinary perspective has equipped me to address the many complex legal issues that arise in my practice.”
Walter A. Jean-Jacques, MSSP’17
JD Candidate
“While at the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice, I was able to obtain data analysis, policy advocacy, legislation writing, and social policy economic skills through my course load as a Master of Social Policy student.”
Tom Robbins, MSSP’17
Head of the Cultural Development Fund & Investment, Department for Culture, Media & Sport, UK
“It was amazing to study social policy from a US perspective, which was so different to perspectives back home in the UK. I loved SP2, the people, the ethos, and its ambitious social justice aims in a challenging time. I found my course valuable in see things from different perspectives. In particular, I found it useful for brushing up on my economic knowledge for policy-making, and understanding in more detail how to navigate programme evaluations which is directly relevant to my new role in government, where I am in charge of commissioning the evaluation of public spending in culture.”
David Griffith, MSSP’15
Director of Programs and Outreach for the LGBT Elder Initiative
“My MSSP coursework prepared me to design and evaluate programs, analyze community needs, develop effective communications strategies, and to advocate for a high-need constituency to a wide range of community, professional, and political stakeholders.”
Rasec Niembro, MSSP’15
Consultant, Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE), Inter-American Development Bank
“The knowledge and skills I received as a MSSP student prepared me for a successful and rewarding professional career. The coursework enabled me to understand techniques for developing policy alternatives and evaluation of their social impact. After my SP2 experience, I was able to recognize processes, strategies and mechanisms associated with policy design and implementation.”
Tiffany Younger, MSSP’15
Co-Chair, MSSP Alumni Association
PhD Candidate in Social Welfare
“The skills and knowledge I gained from the MSSP program supported me in developing and piloting the Social Change Agents Institute (SCAI) which provides an opportunity for professionals and scholars to travel to developing countries such as South Africa, Brazil, and Haiti to facilitate social change workshops on race, gender, and class.”
Yuze Sun, MSSP’15
Research Measurement Assistant, National Board of Medical Examiners
“The MSSP program at SP2 offered me opportunities to explore different aspects of social policy, while helping me to hone my analytical skills with data analyzing tools. MSSP courses focused on both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and their real-world applications assured that I would be well prepared to face different challenges at work.”
Anne Marie Bonner, MSSP’14 and Certificate in Law
Project Manager at the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
“I learned rigorous research and evaluation methodologies as well as the ability to synthesize complex policy issues for public consumption. I’m very grateful to the MSSP program and community for your deep preparation and personalized guidance – I felt well-prepared to enter the economic development field upon graduating from Penn!”
Anandita Krishnamachari, MSSP’14
PhD Candidate in Research, Statistics, and Evaluation
“The MSSP program provided the perfect platform to explore my research interests as well as gain quantitative skills to support such research. In particular, I was able to understand the policy process, and how research can be used for program and policy evaluation. The coursework provided a wide range of skills for me to learn and engage with, most of which I use in my PhD program.”
Aaron Truchil, MSSP’13
Director for Analytics & Informatics, Camden Coalition
“The MSSP program at Penn really prepared me to face the broad array of challenges awaiting me in the professional world. From exposure to diverse policy areas, to providing insights into nonprofit financing and administration, I emerged from the MSSP program well-equipped to hit the ground running.”
Cate Domino, MSSP’13
E-mail Campaigner
“My policy fellowship with the American Association of University Women allowed me to watch the women’s policies that I studied at SP2 get put into action. The highlight was meeting House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi at the launch of the Women’s Economic Agenda in July.”
Papia Paul, MSSP/MPA’13
Public Health Analyst, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
“I found the MSSP program to be the perfect balance of theory and application rooted in an inspiring and collaborative environment. While the coursework allowed me to explore the development and implementation of social policies, it also gave me the flexibility to specifically pursue my interest in health policy and reducing health inequalities.”
Daniel Schiff, MSSP’13
Co-Chair, MSSP Alumni Association
PhD Candidate in Artificial Intelligence for Social Policy
“Through learning about social policy, qualitative and quantitative research methods, communications, applied linear modeling, and program evaluation from MSSP faculty, I was able to develop a pragmatic yet intellectually robust skill set as well as a network of colleagues and mentors.”
Ayesha Upshur, MSSP’13
Special Assistant to the Director, Washington, DC Department of Employment Services
“After considering a number of MPA programs, including Fels, I felt MSSP offered classes that would allow me to focus upon the specific areas of social policy that interested me most while providing a solid foundation of policy analysis and related research methods. What a wonderful decision that was!”
Zichao Zhao, MSSP’13
Research Assistant, Research Department, China International Capital Corporation
“Being an international student in the MSSP program was definitely a great experience. With excellent students from countries at different stages of development and political systems, we were studying with the same goal: “to study social problems and find the best solutions of them.”
Neha Sheth, MSSP’13
Reporter/Producer WLNS-TV6
“The program was appealing to me because it focused on the ‘social’ aspect of policy analysis, and was completely unique from other public policy programs. The MSSP program also gave me the flexibility to study pertinent social issues in health, welfare, and education reform while taking elective courses in communications, public speaking, and media policy.”
Della Jenkins, MSSP’13
Executive Director, Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy (AISP) Initiative, Penn SP2
“The MSSP program was a great launching pad into the professional world, and gave me the flexibility and confidence to explore my options. A summer internship during the program lead to a job with a local non-profit advocating for educational equity and introduced me to the world of city and state politics. From there, I took a job doing mixed-methods education policy research and program evaluation. Then last year, I had the opportunity to come back to SP2 to lead an effort aimed at helping state and local governments share data across program silos to improve policy and practice. None of it would have been possible without the MSSP program.”
Caroline Valvardi, MSSP’13
Senior Associate, Strategic Communications at Opportunity Finance Network
“Joining the MSSP program not only taught me critical analytical and technical skills in the field of social policy, but it also exposed me to a much larger network of Penn students and alumni who helped me discover other innovative, impactful ways I could apply my degree and make a difference, such as through social enterprise and entrepreneurship.”
Rachel Dungan, MSSP’13
Director, AcademyHealth
“It’s rare to find a program multifaceted enough to support learning about the multiple aspects and implications of policy decision-making (ethics, economics, legalities, sociocultural dynamics, etc.); I benefit from having learned how to approach policy-centric work, from multiple angles and diverse stakeholder perspectives.”
Ajeenah Amir, MSSP’12
Director of Communications, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.
“The focus and in-depth instruction on research and evaluation methods in the MSSP program prepared me well for my current position.”
Kirstin Cornnell, MSSP’12
Advocacy Coordinator, Delaware Center for Justice
“The SP2 community is full of both students and professors who possess a wide variety of interests which created an environment where I was constantly able to learn more about other people’s passions while also more carefully exploring my own. I was able to learn more about the policy process alongside an energized and compassionate community which has proven to be invaluable as I embark upon a career in advocacy and policy reform.”
Marisa C. Jones, MSSP’12
White House Intern, The White House
“In addition to learning practical skills about policy development and implementation, such as statistics, interviewing stakeholders, and writing policy briefs, the MSSP program taught me how to think critically about the interplay between social policies: education, welfare, housing, and tax policy (among others) and how each of these types of policies and their interactions socially determine health outcomes and opportunities for good health.”
Kristen Marshall, MSSP’12
Research Analyst, Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
“The MSSP program allowed me to explore many aspects of social policy while encouraging me to hone in on my specific interests of education and child welfare policy. I the program used those topics to teach valuable research and analysis skills to use in creating and analyzing policy. I use many of the skills I learned in the MSSP program in my current job as a research analyst for a state government reading legislation, evaluating grant programs, and conducting statistical analysis.”
Simran Noor, MSSP/MPA’11
Coordinator of Advocacy, Center for Social Inclusion
“My current role requires me to think strategically about policy opportunity and leverage. By gaining policy development knowledge and skills like outlining key elements of legislation, utilizing Thomas (The Library of Congress site) and basic statistical and applied research methods and conducting stakeholder analyses during my time at SP2, I am much more effective in my current position.”
Xiaoge Zhang, MSSP’11
PhD Student, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
“The MSSP program offered me the unique opportunity to strengthen my quantitative and qualitative research skills to understand socioeconomic barriers to healthcare services faced by vulnerable populations, which adequately prepared me to pursue my doctoral study in health policy research. The constant support from MSSP faculty and students has played a pivotal role in shaping my intellectual and professional development.”
Krista D’Amelio, MSSP’11
Director of Government Affairs and Communications, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA)
“The MSSP program prepared me to think outside the box in terms of social policy, which has allowed me to make quick, upward career moves.”
Nan Zhou, MSSP’11
Doctoral Student of Philosophy in Urban Education Policy
“Before starting the MSSP program, I had little background in social policy. However, the coursework in the MSSP program, which had a strong focus on applied research methods, helped me to not only hone my research skills, but also to develop a strong interest in research. The courses were engaging and allowed me to discover practical applications of the various methods and demonstrated to me the ways research can have an impact on society.”
Kalen Flynn, MSW, MSSP, PhD
Graduate, PhD in Social Welfare
“The education I received as a dual MSW/MSSP student allowed me to merge the real world experience of my field placements and internships with the theory and skills learned in the classroom.”
Sara Ansell, MSSP/MSW’09
Program Manager for the Porch Light Initiative, City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program
“My education at SP2 broadened my understanding of social change and simultaneously focused my understanding of ways to create that change. I honed many skills including policy analysis, program evaluation, research methods, community organizing, and writing techniques that I use on an everyday basis in my professional life.”
Ashley Chapman, MSSP’08
Virginia Statewide Advocacy Manager, National Multiple Sclerosis Society
“I loved that each student could choose their own personal emphasis; not only did this allow me to focus on my own interest in Criminal Justice but our classes were filled with enriching dialog. The conversations, the connections with students and faculty and the wide range of classes have thoroughly prepared me for my career in policy and research.”
Emily Wengrovius, MSSP’08
County Liaison, Colorado Department of Human Services
“The MSSP Program gave me the tools and confidence to pursue a career in international development/policy work. I am grateful for the time my professors invested in me and for the relationships I developed through my time at SP2 and beyond.”
Lindsay Shea, MSSP’08
Director, Policy and Analytics Center, and Assistant Professor, A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Drexel University
“The tools I gained through the MSSP Program have been necessary fundaments to help me to build a career across academic research and applied work in government settings. Completing the MSSP Program part-time while working full-time gave me the benefit of classroom learning and immediate application in the field.”
Sarah Bainton, MSSP/MSW’07
Program Manager for Family Financial Stability, Goodwill Industries International (headquarters)
“I utilize skills I learned at SP2 every day: policy analysis, advocacy, evaluation, strategic planning, and even those more tactical skills of understanding management styles, the most effective way to conduct a meeting, energize a group around a cause, find leverage points in a problem, and present materials.”
Brian Gralnick, MSSP’07
Director, Center for Social Responsibility, Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia
“The MSSP Program prepared me for the growing demand for accountability in grant making, how to develop program metrics and evaluation criteria, and understanding of the complex relationship government has with the nonprofit sector.”
