University of Maryland School of Public Policy

Are you a Policy Terp working in Annapolis? Or a student/alum hoping to work in state and local government? . Whether you're interested in hearing more about a career in state and local government or you're a seasoned alum hoping to connect with the SPP community, join us for an evening of networking with SPP alumni, faculty, staff and students over heavy hors d’oeuvres. . Reception for Policy Terps in State and Local Government FEBRUARY 11, 2020 | 6 - 8:30 P.M. MARYLAND STATE HOUSE | HOUSE OF DELEGATES BUILDING | ROOM 180 . Event is free, but RSVP is required to attend. RSVP: https://spp.umd.edu/reception-policy-terps-state-and-local-government . We hope to see you there for a great evening with #PolicyTerps!

We asked for your favorite PLCY courses and many of you mentioned JP (aka assistant research professor Juan Pablo Martínez Guzmán). So, we sat down with him to talk about his approach in the classroom and why the undergraduate major is so exciting. Check it out below and let us know your favorite memory from a class with JP! 🤗 #PolicyTerps . Why he values hands-on learning: "It shows students how to go beyond just thinking about an issue to actually explaining what their thought process is and how they could deliver recommendations to their bosses as they start in an entry level job, or how they would be able to take multiple sources of information and to put them together into something that is meaningful and can help a policymaker make an informed decision." . The undergrad major is so exciting because: "Policy decisions might cover anything that they might be interested in. Policy decisions are related to something as mundane as if we should allow bike shares to be dropped off on any part of the sidewalk to how we are going to deal with AIDS prevention, or how we are going to make sure that people when they retire have appropriate income to continue living a dignified life. By being a policy major, students get an understanding of different points of view to be able to tackle almost absolutely any type of problem that our society might have." . Favorite Maryland moment 🐢: "I have already students coming back to me even though the major has been there for only a couple years. They come to me or go to the people who run the undergraduate program and talk about how immediately when they got to their jobs, they were able to impress their bosses and how that provided them an excellent kickstart in their professional life." . What sets SPP apart: "As a school, we are helping to shape people who are going to be on all sides of the political spectrum. Our students are so talented. You get the feeling that you are going to hear from them soon, in the news, making changes." . Read the full story - link in bio! 👆

Check out this photo Cory Ryan MPP ’17 sent us last week! Cory was on the way to his wedding in Vermont with his fiancé when he ran into a surprise guest (and he regrets not inviting him to the ceremony) 👀 . Who’s the most famous political figure you’ve run into? Let us know in the comments or with #PolicyTerps

Did you catch this week’s @washingtonpost article on Jim Henson’s time at Maryland? We headed over to @theclariceumd to check out the exhibit and learned some cool facts about @themuppets creator. (Did you know he and his wife met at a UMD puppetry class?) Check out our story for more and visit the Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library to see the exhibit.

Libby Farrell ’19 and Andrew Stover ’19 started their policy journeys in PLCY100...and after graduating, found themselves working together for the Judiciary Committee for the 2020 Session! Where’s the most unexpected place you ran into someone from the #PolicyTerps community? 👀

SPP students are spending their winter break learning about NGOs and social enterprises in India! So far, they’ve visited the Taj Mahal and the Amber Fort in Jaipur! To see more photos from the trip, watch our story! 👀 #PolicyTerps - where are you traveling this winter?

#PolicyTerps - Meet Elise Johnson ’19, a recent alum of the undergraduate public policy major! . Current role: Research Associate at the National Academy of Public Administration . Policy focus: Everything from civil service systems across the country to public health issues like the STD epidemic. There really is no one type of public administration issue that we look at, which I appreciate. It definitely makes my day exciting and interesting. Every day I go to work ready to learn something new. . Favorite Policy memory: The Wicked Problems public policy event in October around Halloween was always my favorite. The event brought in policy experts from the community with areas of expertise in all these different issue areas, like healthcare and housing policy. At the event, we were able to engage with peers in conversation. And on top of that, there was lots of good food. . Policy mentor: I've known Jen Littlefield before I began college, starting at orientation. She has definitely been such an influential figure in my life. I got to see her engage with all of the students in my public leadership program and really encourage each and every one of us to go out into our communities, inspire positive change, and really do more than what is typically expected of freshmen. She remained such a close mentor for me throughout my college career. . Favorite Maryland memory: There is nothing like the energy in the student section at the Xfinity Center during a Big Ten basketball game. I have such fond memories cheering on the Terps with my friends. . Read more about Elise’s time as a Policy Terp: https://spp.umd.edu/news/capstone-career-elise-johnson-19

Congratulations on graduating, #PolicyTerps! SPP is so proud of you. What are your post-grad plans?