NYU Votes: Wagner Alumni and Students Lead the Way in Voter Engagement Efforts

Ilana Beller-Kernish (MPA 2018), organizing manager, Democracy Team, Public Citizen

Why are you passionate about the work you do?

I believe that the way we make our society more equitable and just is through truly representative and accountable government. I love doing the work to help make our democracy more accessible and representative of all Americans. 

How did your Wagner experience impact your path?

When I first entered the workforce, before I came to Wagner, I was running youth programs. I loved this work but felt so frustrated with the system in which our programs were operating. My policy courses at Wagner, and one of my professors, Professor Gershman, helped me understand that I could help to change these broken systems by engaging in policy and politics. I decided to change my career trajectory and engage in this way.

Aquene Freechild (MPA 2011), campaign co-director, Democracy Campaign at Public Citizen

Why are you passionate about the work you do?

There is no freedom and rarely true peace when people have no say in who governs them. It's a joy to teach people how to organize and be powerful and be heard in our government at every level. Victories are won in towns and states by everyday people who get involved every year. I wish more people were able to see that happening. 

How did your Wagner experience impact your path?

Wagner gave me the time to explore what path I would take next in my organizing career and try out different aspects of advocacy. I really enjoyed learning more about the international development sector at Wagner, and took away from that, that working to strengthen democracy in the US was the most important way I could contribute. 

Coryn Grange (MPA 2021), research associate, Democracy Team at Brennan Center 

Why are you passionate about the work you do?

My work continually motivates me because I know it's being used to advocate for progressive voting rights and democracy reform. I'm especially passionate about using qualitative and quantitative research to combat discriminatory voting laws that disenfranchise marginalized groups.

How did your Wagner experience impact your path?

Prior to attending Wagner, I knew I wanted to work toward ensuring that our society and political system is equitable and just. Receiving an MPA from Wagner not only provided me with the skills to make that possible, but also the direction. Through Wagner, I was given the opportunity to become a Parke fellow at the Brennan Center more than three years ago, and I've been working there ever since. 

Lauren Kunis (MPA-PNP 2007), executive director, VoteRiders

Why are you passionate about the work you do? 
Our work at VoteRiders sits at the intersection of voting rights and social justice. We're addressing voter suppression laws by helping people navigate complicated and costly voter ID rules, while also building a more diverse and equitable electorate. For many of the folks we assist, the ID we help them obtain opens up pathways to gainful employment, stable housing, necessary healthcare, AND the right to have a say on these important issues at the ballot box. 

How did your Wagner experience impact your path? 
As the Executive Director of a quickly-growing nonprofit organization, I regularly apply skills and foundational concepts covered in SO many of my classes—managing public service organizations, program evaluation, financial management, fundraising, and more!

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Jasmine Nears (MPA 2016), director of strategic initiatives, America Votes

Why are you passionate about the work you do? 

Voting and civic engagement are close to my heart. Democracy works when everyone has the opportunity to vote and that vote translates to real tangible change in their lives. To be a part of that change is a blessing. 

How did your Wagner experience impact your path?

I interned with Everytown for Gun Safety while in grad school because a colleague worked for them. Working there opened my eyes to my love for politics and the importance of having the right people in office at all levels of government to ensure the best interest of people are represented. I was also able to audit a political class and used the hard and soft skills I learned during my capstone experiences to engage more with nonprofits and social movements. It really prepared me for America Votes and this role. 

Jess Riegel (MPA 2018), founder and CEO, Motivote 

Why are you passionate about the work that you do? 

I believe democracy works best when everyone participates—and in the US, there are lots of barriers to participation. For any behavior, the more "friction" we add to a process, the more people that drop off during it. So how can we reduce the friction? Long-term, it's by evolving the structures and systems. But short-term, it's by helping people understand the process and navigate the potentially confusing aspects. I'm motivated by the mission of making it easier for organizations, like schools and businesses, to help their community members do this. 

How did your Wagner experience impact your path?

Without Wagner, there would be no Motivote! Motivote originated as our capstone project as part of the Social Impact, Innovation, and Investment program. We had the opportunity to develop a business case for a social venture, and were interested in the behavioral science of voting and why people don't do it. Our advisors encouraged us to get involved with the eLab's entrepreneurship resources and enter the NYU-wide business plan competition, where we ended up advancing to the semifinals, and soon we were spending all of our time on what would become Motivote. We started to realize that maybe we were onto something, and wanted to take it further. We were accepted to the Summer Launchpad accelerator upon graduation from Wagner, which included funding and created a path to pursue building Motivote full-time. 

Chantal Serrano (MPA-PNP 2024), volunteer programming and data coordinator, VoteRiders

Why are you passionate about the work that you do?

I love that you get to see the real time impact of our outreach. Through our text banks, phone banks, and letter writing initiatives I directly help people not only learn about voter ID, but help refer them to our amazing volunteer team that helps individuals get voter ID at no cost. Encouraging electoral participation is so important, and empowering people to vote by giving them the tools to do so is really exciting. 

How has your Wagner experience impacted your path?

Without Wagner I never would’ve known about VoteRiders! I’ve always lived in more blue states so voter ID has never been an issue I’ve known a lot about. Once I realized how prevalent it was and how many people are disenfranchised by strict voter ID requirements it fueled my passion to become more involved in voter politics! 

Geneva Trovato (MPA 2023), Get Out the Vote director, Project 26

Why are you passionate about the work you do?

My work focuses on engaging Pennsylvania youth in conversations about civic engagement and political action. Students are often underestimated and labeled as disillusioned or lazy, but our organization proves that when we invest time in educating young people about what's at stake and the impact of their voice, they are eager to show up for their communities. It's incredibly rewarding to witness the energy and enthusiasm from this generation and for this particular election, who are more empowered than ever—regardless of prior campaign experience or political knowledge—to invest in their futures. 

How did your Wagner experience impact your path?

Prior to joining the Wagner community, I was a paralegal for Children, Youth, and Families in Pittsburgh, and witnessed the impact of policies on families and communities in Pennsylvania, but I often felt unequipped to address the policy failures I observed on an everyday basis. My Wagner experience transformed that perspective, and prepared me with the tools I needed to dive into hands-on organizing and advocacy work. Now, with Project 26, I am utilizing what I learned at Wagner to teach students, helping them develop the skills and confidence to create change in their campus communities and beyond.