New York Building Congress and NYU Wagner Launch New Fellowship to Expand Research and Advocacy Programs
The New York Building Congress and NYU Wagner have partnered to launch a new Fellowship in Urban Policy and Planning. The Fellowship Program places Wagner graduate students into part-time employment with the Building Congress.
The program offers graduate students the opportunity to gain effective research and communications experience on important policy issues affecting New York City’s built environment. Fellows will research and write about the New York City design, construction, and real estate industry and its key policy priorities, and assist in drafting testimony and other policy statements including press releases, media advisories, and op-eds.
“What could be more fitting than the Building Congress and NYU—two entities that proudly bear ‘New York’ in their very names—partnering in this innovative way to draw closer together the thinkers and the doers of urban planning,” said Lynne Browne, Senior Vice President for University Relations and Public Affairs at NYU.
Building Congress President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura commented, “This Fellowship Program unites two of the premier civic leadership groups in New York City, and we are thrilled to be partnering with an honorable institution like NYU. Working together with our Fellow, we’re excited to expand our research and advocacy work on behalf of our members and the building industry as a whole.”
The Fellowship is open to students pursuing their master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or urban planning at Wagner. Combining their graduate work with the Building Congress’ ongoing research, Fellows will work to refine industry positions for improved planning and development strategies for the City. Through the Fellowship, students will become more familiar with and communicate on important public policy and legislation related to one of New York City’s most important industries.
“As a broad-based membership organization, The New York Building Congress frames critical issues of economic and infrastructure investment, jobs creation, and professional exchange," noted Sherry Glied, Dean of Wagner. "As a graduate school of public administration, NYU Wagner instills the next generation of leaders of the public, nonprofit, and private sectors with relevant, up-to-date knowledge, skills, and experience. The two institutions are a natural match as cities work to understand and address the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.”
Graduate student Sam Bernstein has been named the inaugural recipient of the Fellowship in Urban Policy and Planning. Sam, a New York City native, is pursuing his Masters of Urban Planning (MUP) degree at NYU Wagner.