James McKissic
"The best decision I made in my life was the one to come to Wagner. I had worked in education related nonprofits for most of my career, but wanted to know the nuts and bolts about how nonprofits work. My time at Wagner helped me to meet this goal, and gave me so much more -- cultural opportunities, amazing professors, hands-on learning experiences and the chance to make great friends. Not a day goes by that I don't tap into my "Wagner toolbox" to solve a problem or resolve a management issue."
Michelle Newman Berney
"Wagner professors always emphasize the power of teamwork - is there something more we can accomplish by working together, either within the same organization, or collaborating with outside agencies? Working in teams at Wagner allowed me to meet wonderful people with diverse career backgrounds. Together we learned a lot from each other. There are lots of nice people out there, and there are lots of smart people out there. The trick to best serving the public is to identify the nice smart people and work together for the common good."
David Quart
"My decision to come to Wagner was part of a career change. Wagner offered a strong theoretical and practical curriculum from which I could build a career in urban planning. It also provided me with instant access to a network of professionals in the field through my professors and advisors as well as my fellow students. Wagner has great flexibility in its program, allowing students to focus on their specific areas of interest. Today, my urban planning classmates from Wagner use their degrees in diverse ways, from environmental and transportation planning, to economic development, housing, and real estate within the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors."
Michelle Quinn-Davidson
"Wagner gave me the skills I needed to continue my work in the youth development field. The combination of coursework and practical work experience enabled me to graduate with the skills needed and demanded in the field of public leadership. Even after graduation, I am still involved in Wagner – through volunteering with the Alumni Association, I work to connect my fellow Wagner alumni to each other to continue the learning and community we had at Wagner."
Pria Rai
"Wagner was instrumental in helping me coalesce and solidify my nonprofit management philosophy. It was the Wagner curriculum and community that helped me stay abreast of emerging trends in the nonprofit arena like venture philanthropy, performance measurement, social entrepreneurship models and profit-nonprofit capacity development networks. The Capstone project really defined my Wagner experience. It provided the perfect training for developing a strategic, solutions oriented management vision for typical nonprofit issues. I remain involved with the Wagner community through the Wagner Alumni Association."
Stephen Rolandi
"Wagner represented a change for me, as I pursued a law career but changed course after working in a major corporate law firm. I have always held a high regard for NYU as an undergrad so continuing on for my master’s degree was the logical thing to do. Looking back, this was a wise career decision for me, and I could not have done it without Wagner – the professors, courses, and related activities were very beneficial to me as I began a career that has spanned federal, city and the nonprofit sectors. And the Wagner alumni that I have met in the course of my career are some of the best professionals in the field."
Stacey Rubinstein
"I found my experience at Wagner to be incredibly positive. Through reflection and skill development, I was able to put my passion for helping others into a marketable package. I always had leadership potential, but Wagner helped to shape me into a manager, and that process will continual to evolve as I grow in my career."
Tricia Schmitt
"Wagner provided me with the necessary quantitative and qualitative skills and leadership qualities to truly excel as a public servant. Wagner is unique by bringing in real life scenarios into the classroom, so that you have the experience and background knowledge when presented with similar issues in the professional environment. Most importantly, the faculty, career advisement staff, and my peers continue to help shape my career, after graduation. I made some of my best friends at Wagner, and could not have asked for a better learning environment."
Jaime Sharrock
"After completing my undergraduate studies, I enrolled in the Wagner School of Public Service with an interest in urban affairs and a desire to serve the public. At Wagner, I was given the opportunity to couple my academic interests with internship experiences to obtain direct knowledge of the challenges facing urban communities. It was these experiences that prepared me for my current position at the Jersey City Housing Authority where I work to create affordable housing and employment opportunities for the under-served citizens of Jersey City."
Kandi Shejavali
"With its position in "the world's capital city" (as NYU's president phrases it) and with its outstanding faculty and staff, Wagner played a pivotal role in launching my career in international public service. From engaging with professors and classmates on academic coursework to participating in student organizations to undertaking an internship with UNICEF, my experience at Wagner honed the skills needed to effectively make a positive difference."
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