Learning Leadership in Action: NYU Wagner Students Visit City Hall for Experiential Insight
Undergraduate students in NYU Wagner’s Management and Leadership (UPADM-GP 103) course recently stepped beyond the classroom walls to engage with public service in real-time through a site visit to New York City Hall. Now an annual tradition, this experiential learning opportunity is led by Clinical Associate Professor Judy Pryor-Ramirez, who designed the visit as a culmination of the course’s exploration of organizational behavior and public leadership.
“This is the third time I’ve brought undergraduate students to City Hall,” said Pryor-Ramirez. “I intentionally include this in my syllabus as it deepens the concepts we cover in class and serves as a culmination of our study of public service organizations. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun to get off campus and immerse ourselves in the city together.”
The visit included a guided tour of City Hall, where students observed a live hearing, saw Council Members in action, and learned about the building’s historical significance. Most notably, they engaged in conversations with City Council staffers who shared insights into their roles, education paths, and professional journeys—highlighting the diverse routes into public service.
“I had the opportunity to meet with professionals who each have had their own nonlinear paths, yet their varying professional backgrounds all intertwine and intersect seamlessly through their shared passion for public service and a commitment to improving New York City,” said Alaina Moya (Gallatin 2026), concentrating in Social Epidemiology and pursuing an MPA in Health Policy and Management. “Whether or not my future leads to 250 Broadway, this experience gave me a meaningful glimpse of how my academic pursuits apply within the industry.”
Emilia Long (CAS 2026), majoring in Environmental Studies, minoring in Public Policy, and pursuing a Wagner MPA, added: “After the City Hall site visit, I am empowered to continue pursuing a career in public service, now that I have a concrete understanding of the pride city government workers have for their work and the strength of the Wagner network. I feel confident that the management skills I am picking up now will set me up for success and provide the flexibility to go into any sector, just as the women we met demonstrated.”
City Council staffers also emphasized the value of student engagement. Johanna Carmona (CAS 2011), Legislative Administrative Manager for Speaker Adrienne Adams, spoke about her role conducting legal and policy research for Council initiatives. She noted, “Visits to City Hall are important for students interested in government because they offer a firsthand look at how local government operates, allowing students to see democratic processes in action. They also allow students to network with professionals in this field. This provides a valuable opportunity to build connections with individuals who can offer internships, mentorship, career advice, or future job opportunities.”
Maddy Seckler (CAS 2025), a Public Policy major entering Wagner’s MPA program in Public and Nonprofit Management & Policy discussed how the experience speaking with City Hall staffers shaped her view of building a meaningful career: “Their stories of finding a career that encourages collaboration, builds community, and contributes to an overall greater purpose has inspired me to align my ideal priorities in the search for my first full-time role.”
The site visit also allowed Pryor-Ramirez to reflect on her own journey in public service. “Another reason I bring students to City Hall is that it's where my own career began as a policy analyst for the Committee on Education,” she said, adding, “It is an opportunity to expose students to local government and public servants. It becomes a live case study of what's possible for our students.”