Justin Rosen Smolen

I continue to be grateful for my education in the dual MPA-MA in Jewish studies program at NYU. My Wagner courses introduced me to a variety of practicable tools and conceptual frameworks that I regularly incorporate into my work—from creating and tracking budgets and leading collaborative projects to understanding markets and analyzing and interpreting data to make organizational decisions. I similarly appreciated the opportunity to study with the renown faculty in the Skirball Department, whose teaching and guidance helped me hone my writing and research skills and scholarship deepened my understanding of the historical, social, and political context of my work as a Jewish communal professional. Just as importantly, I learned and grew tremendously from learning and collaborating with my fellow students in the program, many of whom continue to be trusted advisors and dear friends and colleagues. Having this comprehensive training and robust network has helped me be a more informed, sensitive, and effective professional across diverse organizations and settings.