Lauren Baranco

Why did you choose NYU Wagner for graduate school?

Practical, real life experience. New York City was the ultimate laboratory and classroom, with some of the greatest experts practicing at Wagner. Being a school for Public Service made it stand out among other Public Administration programs.

Have you found any advantages to being a part of the NYU Wagner alumni network?

I have been part of the Bay Area Wagner Alumni Group and served in leadership. I have created deep friendships and enjoy the opportunity to meet with like-minded changemakers who provide intellectual stimulation and camaraderie.

How did your experiences at NYU Wagner prepare you for your career?

I learned to be a better generalist; between my relationships, the variety in my coursework, and my leadership opportunities I made lifelong friends and was part of a network that constantly brought me new insight and challenged me to learn new things in various fields of interest.

What impact do you hope to make through your career and/or organization?

I hope to shift culture in government, which possesses the ultimate charter for public service, to better serve the people. I hope to improve quality of life, particularly for those for whom historical discrimination and violence, abusive systems, and exclusionary culture have discouraged and excluded them from full participation in civic life.