Student Spotlight: Lenny Cabral (MPA 2023)

In her final year, Lenny Cabral (MPA 2023) reflects on the relationships and community of the Black Student Association (BSA) as well as her Capstone experience in the Dominican Republic which allowed for hands-on learning in international development and policy.

What motivated you to attend Wagner, a school of public service?

NYU Wagner, aside from being an amazing tool to propel me forward, is a place I would’ve never imagined myself attending and soon becoming a part of the alumni family. Being a Black Latina from the Bronx, I was familiar with the receiving end of public service organizations. I attribute many of them to my growth as an individual as well as my professional development. However, one thing always stuck with me when I participated in the programs: people who looked like me rarely held positions of power, especially in policy. There are a multitude of barriers including financial accessibility and education that has made this an unfortunate reality, only worsening abroad. As a result, I see public service as my duty to pay forward and create space for those to come. I hope to use my degree as a bridge between my communities and decision makers, allowing actions to reflect the needs of those whose voices go unheard.

You are chair of NYU Wagner’s Black Student Association (BSA), a student organization that supports and increases networks for students of color at Wagner. What are the benefits of getting involved with BSA? Any past events / initiatives that you’re proud of, or future activities that you’re looking forward to?

The biggest benefit is that BSA has allowed me to find my tribe of like-minded young professionals. It creates a welcoming, collaborative environment for Black policymakers, who are already underrepresented across public service. Through it, I have been able to network and share my experience, struggles, and aspirations. As Chair, my proudest moments happen when people tell me they met through BSA—whether that’s at our group outings, last semester’s Friendsgiving, or an alumni panel in collaboration with NYU Wagner’s Career Services.

We are especially looking forward to our Black History Month event series celebrating Black joy and creativity. We invite all to join us in our “Sip and Paint” or on our visit to the Universal Hip Hop Museum in the Boogie Down. BSA hopes to highlight community through the arts in celebration of Black innovation and expression.

Capstone started last semester, can you tell us a bit about your client and what excites you about this project?

I am excited to be a part of a Capstone project that truly brings me full circle. My client is the Inter-American Development Bank working with El Ministerio de Viviendas y Edificaciones of the Dominican Republic to develop a standardized methodology for evaluating under-utilized public assets for local economic development. My team and I are consulting the Dominican government to strategically repurpose properties within our framework. I am so grateful for the opportunity to do this work because I am Dominican and my pride in that heritage is what has guided me to pursue international development. There’s always more work to be done but quite nothing explains how it feels to be making an impact for and on your motherland.

Reflecting on your experience at Wagner, what skills or lessons from grad school are you taking into the next chapter of your career?

NYU Wagner has taught me so much both personally and professionally largely due to the fact that I went to grad school immediately after completing my undergraduate degree. My experience here has been one where I was consistently challenged and pushed outside of my comfort zone inside and outside of the classroom. Wagner has sharpened my quantitative technical skills and helped me achieve what I once only imagined. Moving into the next phases of my career, I hope to continue learning and growing in my confidence as someone who deserves to take up space.