Student Spotlight: Maggie Huang (MUP 2025)
Maggie Huang (MUP 2025), chair, First Generation Student Association
Can you share a bit about yourself and what inspired you to attend a school of public service?
I’m a born and raised New Yorker, so I’ve spent my entire life being immersed in a built urban environment and experiencing all of the characteristics of cities that contribute to one’s quality of life. I remember my family telling me stories about New York City in the 1980s when they first immigrated, and thinking that what they were describing felt so unlike the 21st century New York City that I know. I was fascinated by the dynamic nature of built environments and their ability to shift, grow, and change over time, whether it’s for better or for worse. My lived experiences growing up in this unique atmosphere really solidified my love for cities and strengthened my desire to remain an engaged citizen. Ultimately, I landed in public service because growing up here has contributed so much to my life and to who I am, and I wanted to find a way to be able to pay it forward for future generations of New Yorkers. I’m proud to be pursuing my Master’s of Urban Planning to re-imagine what environmental and social equity can look like in cities.
Is there any skill or lesson that you learned in the past that has contributed to your success here at Wagner?
My internship experiences have definitely equipped me with various skills that contribute to my success at Wagner. Working for NYC Council Member Farah Louis a few years ago at her district office in East Flatbush helped me learn to engage with local communities in order to achieve a common goal. I definitely had to learn to take a step back and really listen to what the district residents’ needs were, to be receptive to varying perspectives, and to engage in difficult but meaningful dialogue. I also learned a lot about what my personal definition of “serving the public” is, which has shaped the way I approach my work and professional goals.
My current internship at NYC DOT also gave me lots of experience working in a fast-paced environment, meaning I had to learn skills like time management and project management. Given how collaborative and project-based a lot of Wagner classes are, learning these skills have definitely helped me survive graduate school and contributed to my success!
What does it mean to you to be the chair of FGSA?
Neither of my parents went to college, so being a First-Gen student in itself is already a defining part of my identity as a student, and it is something that I take much pride in. We’re the first in our families to be pursuing graduate school in the United States, but we’re also paving the way to be the only generation that is considered “First-Gen”. It’s a title that starts with us but also ends with us, and that personally provokes such a wide range of emotions for me.
As a Bachelors-Masters dual degree student, my time at Wagner is already cut short, so I really wanted to find a way to make a meaningful impact for those who also share this aspect of my identity with the time I had left as a student. As a general member of FGSA last year, I found a lot of solace in the fact that First-Gen students are given visibility. I’m sure that other First-Gen students also experience a mix of emotions as they navigate graduate school, so I’m elated to lead FGSA as we cultivate a welcoming and supportive space for our community here at Wagner.
What kind of programming does FGSA offer? How can other First-Generation students get involved?
The FGSA Executive Board is taking time throughout the Fall semester to thoroughly plan our events and initiatives for the Spring! Look forward to a First-Gen panel event, and other social and professional development events for next semester. We are also launching a Spotlight Series on our social media where we feature First-Gen students, faculty, and staff to showcase the community we have here at Wagner. Lastly, we have a monthly newsletter that First-Gen students and allies can subscribe to here.