Alumni Spotlight: Alyxandra Ruzevich (MPA 2022)

Where do you work?

I recently accepted a job as a Climate Mitigation and Agriculture Specialist with Environmental Incentives, working directly with USAID's Natural Climate Solutions Division in the Center for Energy, Environment, and Infrastructure.  

Describe your current job.

I provide technical assistance to the design and implementation of low emissions agriculture programs (especially for high emitters such as rice cultivation, agriculture-driven deforestation, and livestock husbandry) and the implementation of natural climate solutions programming at USAID. 

Why did you choose the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service? 

I chose Wagner because of its strong curriculum in international development and public service more broadly, and the opportunity for an international capstone project. I also wanted to take advantage of NYU's resources for funding (I received a tuition scholarship and a couple internship grants) and fellowship application advising (I was accepted to two great fellowships following grad school). 

What was your favorite class? 

This is tough, but I'd choose "Advocacy Lab: How to Make Change Happen" because it really clarified for me the role of civil society and collective action as a pillar of democracy, and how I can approach my positionality as the intervening outsider in international development programs.

 What skills did you develop at Wagner were most helpful? 

I really honed my writing skills through the Intro to Public Policy Writing Workshops. I also became a TA and a Writing Coach for that class, which developed my eye for what makes for impactful writing through the lens of a huge variety of policy topics that were important to my peers. 

What about your Wagner experience was helpful in your career and how did you determine your path? 

Two years go by fast, so I took advantage of as much as I possibly could during my time at Wagner. There are seemingly infinite possibilities to get involved or leverage resources/contacts for professional growth--student societies, internships, events, employment, funding, research, course auditing, etc. Not to mention you go to school with smart and motivated people from all over the world with great depth of experience and perspectives across the full spectrum of public service. Going in, I took my broad interest (agriculture and food security in international development) and used it as my guide to take advantage of the abundance of opportunities available.