Robert Espinoza

Why did you choose Wagner for graduate school?

Wagner had an impressive reputation as a top-tier school that equipped students with the right mix of skills in policy analysis, nonprofit management, and related disciplines such as economics. I also liked that it was situated in New York City, a global city with a rich history of social justice and policy experimentation.

How did being in New York impact your professional journey?

As a transplant from the Southwest, moving to New York allowed me to live in a premier international city, one renowned for its multiculturalism and cutting-edge politics. I met policy leaders working at all levels—local, national, and international—and I learned as much from what I witnessed every day in the streets as I did in the classroom.

Describe your current job.

I run a national policy and research program—a “think tank”—focused on the direct care workforce (i.e. workers who support older people and people with disabilities in their homes and in residential settings). I'm also a policy writer who covers topics such as long-term care, aging, and racial justice, among others.