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Dear Friends:
As I reflect on this past year, I am proud of the Policy School's journey to becoming a global leader in public policy and urban affairs education, research, and impact. Our faculty and students are driving change at every level, from neighborhoods to nations, in response to the great challenges unfolding in our community and around the globe.
In 2026 we willl celebrate the Policy School's 20th anniversary. As we enter the new year, let us celebrate the good we have brought to the world and renew our commitment to building a more just, resilient, and sustainable future. I am grateful to be on this journey with you.
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Maria Ivanova
Director, The Policy School
Co-Director, Plastics Center at Northeastern
| | | | "DOERS AND DREAMERS" SPOTLIGHT | | Justin Kelly '26 (MPP) on co-op in Greece in Fall 2025 | |
From Arlington to Athens: One Co-op Student's Odyssey into European Policy
When MPP student Justin Kelly '26 packed his bags for Athens in the Fall 2025 semester, he wasn't just changing time zones, he was stepping into the heart of European policymaking. Justin traded Northeastern's Arlington campus for the ancient streets of Greece, to join policymakers committed to finding solutions to contemporary sustainability challenges.
During his co-op at the European Public Law Organization (EPLO), Justin supported the Sustainability Department's work in areas including the EU's Green Deal and the future of food governance. The majority of his work, however, focused on sustainable real estate. Justin examined case studies from Singapore, Romania, and London to understand how different governments leverage policy, design, and resources to promote sustainable infrastructure and energy use.
Justin also attended EPLO’s annual conference, which this year focused on international law, European Union law, and constitutional law. He found himself surrounded by judges from the International Court of Justice and prominent European professors, as they dissected the evolving political landscape of EU law. In one surreal encounter, he even met the president of Greece.
When not immersed in his work for EPLO, Justin formed meaningful connections with fellow students from across Europe and Africa, including peers from Spain, France, Poland, Italy, Romania, Ukraine, and Sierra Leone. "This co-op reinforced my decision to pursue an MPP degree at the Policy School," he says, "and reaffirmed my belief n the importance of informed, people-centered policymaking." READ MORE
| | UPDATES FROM THE POLICY SCHOOL | | Northeastern delegation and friends by Prof. Carmen Hull’s Gender Gap Tents. Left to right: Rong Bao, Carmella Uwineza, Peter Katanisa (Government of Rwanda), Carmen Hull, Maria Ivanova, Nicole Vandale, Patrick Umuhoza (Rwanda Environment Management Authority) and Diane Grant. | |
From Science to Global Action: Northeastern Shines at UNEA-7 in Nairobi, Kenya
At the Seventh Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi, Kenya, Northeastern University demonstrated how universities can help shape global environmental governance at moments of consequence. Faculty and students engaged in issues spanning gender equality, the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements, plastics governance, and environmental leadership legacies, reflecting Northeastern’s commitment to experiential learning and global engagement. READ MORE
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Upper row: at the World Agroforestry Centre; Rong Bao, Maria Ivanova, Nicole Vandale, Diane Grant, Olga Skaredina; Maria Ivanova
Lower row: Wangari Maathai Nobel +20 Gala; Maria Ivanova, Wanjira Mathai, Annabell Waititu; Carmen Hull, Rong Bao, Maria Ivanova
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Stand and Deliver: Capstone Students Present Practical Solutions for Local Communities
Congratulations to the graduating master's students who showcased their final projects at the Fall 2025 Policy Capstone Symposia. Their presentations represented months of research and collaboration to develop meaningful policies that strengthen local communities. Many thanks to the Policy School's community partners for investing in the next generation of policy leaders. SEE PHOTOS
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clockwise left to right: NAPPS President Vartika Govil, MPP '27, Vice President Vamini Jain, MPA '26, Director of Communications Jonathan Oubenslimane, MPP '26, Director of Engagement
Whitney McVeigh, MPP '27
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left to right: Vartika Govil, Michele Rosenthal, Jonathan Oubenslimane
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Virtual Reality: Students Realize Goal of Building Community Across Campuses and Disciplines
The Northeastern Association for Public Policy Students (NAPPS), advised by Associate Director of Student Experience Michele Rosenthal, wrapped up a successful Fall semester that fostered meaningful connections among Policy School students across campuses and time zones. Through Professor After Hours, the Virtual Circle, and the Reading Between the Policies book club and Author Forum, NAPPS provided space for engagement in critical policy issues and fostered dialogue with faculty and cross-campus collaboration.
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Local Hero: Policy School Champion Sets the the Bar for Sustainable Event Planning
Northeastern Sustainability recognized Academic Administrative Assistant Leslie Prime as a Sustainability Champion for hosting low-waste, plastic-free events at the Policy School. Leslie works with caterers to avoid single-use plastics, opting instead for reusable china, wooden or bamboo platters, and minimal packaging. And she has encouraged vendors to stop using disposable cutlery, helping to set a new standard for sustainable event practices on campus. Leslie also
integrates sustainability into day-to-day life at the Policy School by choosing plant-based foods and eco-friendly cleaning products, many packaged in aluminum rather than plastic.
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Beyond Borders: Maria Ivanova Reflects on the Power of International Environmental Agreements
The Fall 2025 issue of LA+ Journal (the Interdisciplinary Journal of Landscape Architecture), features an in-depth interview with Policy School Director Maria Ivanova. She discusses how UNEP serves as the anchor institution for global environmental governance and highlights successful international environmental efforts such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. She also emphasizes the importance of setting global environmental goals despite implementation challenges. ACCESS THE ISSUE
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Mission Possible: New Research Shows How Policy and Culture Shape Women-Focused NGO Success
Prof. Akua Tetteh presented her research at the ARNOVA 2025 conference in Indiana, sharing new insights into how external environments shape mission alignment in women-focused NGOs. Her findings highlight a critical takeaway: policy and sociocultural contexts play a powerful role in shaping mission coherence, reinforcing the need for adaptive leadership and strategies tailored to local realities.
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From Climate Action to Career Pathways: Policy School Researchers Connect Green Goals to Boston Blueprint
The City of Boston officially released the Climate Ready Workforce Action Plan, a major step toward preparing the region’s workforce for a climate-resilient future.
Profs. Alicia Modestino and Joan Fitzgerald led a Dukakis Center team that conducted research for the report. Policy School Advisory Council co-chair Greg King was part of the team as was MUPP alumna Maria Salim. The report is the first of its kind, connecting Boston’s climate agenda to economic opportunity. READ THE PLAN
| | Prof. Alicia Modestino speaking at the Boston City Hall event announcing the Report's release | | | |
Does it Actually Work? Policy School Professor Joins National Experts on Criminal Justice Evaluation
Prof. Matt Ross joined national experts at the 2025 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Base Camp to discuss the challenges of evaluating criminal justice programs, and the importance of rigorous, evidence-based methods.
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Sweet Potato Gospel: How a Grandmother's Wisdom Inspired a PhD Student's Food Justice Research
A new article in the Land, Food, and Freedom Journal examines how food can represent not just nourishment but resistance. In "The Sweet Potato Gospel," PhD student David Jefferson reflects on his grandmother Alma Jean's cooking and how it challenged systems designed to suppress Black communities. He also breaks down how her wisdom has informed his research on Black foodways and inspired his advocacy for policy changes that center Black liberation and food justice. READ THE ARTICLE
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Into the Flow: Policy School Team Studies Critical Border Rivers
PhD student Gerardo Gentil has published, together with co-authors Prof. Damon Hall and their Montana State University-Billings colleague Dr. Susan Gilbertz, a technical report on the St. Mary and Milk rivers. The report, submitted to the US-Canada International Joint Comission, examines community perspectives on water availability, timing, infrastructure needs, and long-term sustainability. READ THE REPORT
| | Aerial view of the St. Mary siphon failure. Source: US Bureau of Reclamation. June 2024. | | | | |
High Stakes in the High Country: PhD Student Examines Climate Hazards Threatening Colorado's Critical Infrastructure
Climate hazards pose escalating risks to Colorado's infrastructure, military installations, and economy, according to a new briefer from the Center for Climate and Security. PhD student Maddie Craig-Scheckman co-authored "State-Level Climate Security Education: Colorado," part of a series focused the risks posed by from intensifying extreme weather and climate hazards. READ THE REPORT
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New Student Orientation | Wed, Jan 7th | 1:00-5:00 pm ET | Renaissance Park and Zoom
Register here
Policy School Spring Celebration | Tue, Jan 13th | 4:00-7:00 pm ET | Northeastern Alumni Center (716 Columbus Ave., 6th floor)
Register here
Keep Moving Forward: A Conversation about Social Movement Bulding Past and Present | Tue, Jan 20th (4:30-5:30 pm ET) | Cabral Center (40 Leon St., Boston) and Zoom
Professor Emeritus Ted Landsmark and Social Impact Lab Director Rebecca Riccio will reflect on their experiences as social justice activists and share lessons they’ve learned about building social movements in challenging times.
Register here
BARI Conference 2026: Greater Boston’s 10th Annual Insight-to-Impact Summit | Fri, May 8th
The BARI Conference is a unique forum for community leaders, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to share how they are leveraging the tools of research, scholarship, and design with and for the communities of Greater Boston—and how we can do even more through collective action. The call for proposals is open, with proposals are due by 4:59 PM on Wednesday, January 28th, 2026.
NAPPS weekly meeting | Every Friday | NAPPS Weekly Meeting | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams
If you’ve ever wanted to step up, speak out, and shape the world around you, then NAPPS (Northeastern Association for Public Policy Students) is the place to be. Whether you’re eager to test your skills in leadership roles, brainstorm innovative policy solutions, or engage with the larger policy community, NAPPS offers the perfect platform. It’s a space where you don’t just learn—you lead, experiment, and grow.
| | | | Making a Difference from the Local to the Global | | | | | |
