Student and Alumni Spotlights
Master’s Programs
Public Policy
Channeling Research Into Policy Reform
Caroline Chovanes Master of Public Policy, Class of 2026 Hometown: Philadelphia, PAAreas of Interest: Policy creation and reform, social justice, and criminal justice reformActivities at Rutgers: Research Coordinator, Rutgers Sleep Lab, Department of Kinesiology &...
Paving the Way for Equitable Environmental Policy
Korie Vee Master of Public Affairs and Politics, Class of 2026 Hometown: South Amboy, NJ A passion for community service that began in childhood grew into a meaningful career in environmental justice for Korie Vee. On track to complete her Master of Public Affairs and...
Leading Change Through Policy and Planning
Stephanie Fantazzi Master of Public Policy/Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2027 Certificate/Specializations: Community Development, Social Justice and HealthHometown: Dover, NJActivities at Rutgers: President, Bloustein Social Justice Committee...
Cultivating Change through Policy: From Newark to Capitol Hill
Tiffany Granger Master of Public Policy, Class of 2026 Newark, NJActivities at Rutgers: Vice President, Bloustein Social Justice Committee Tiffany Granger’s journey to public policy wasn’t linear—but it was deeply intentional. She graduated with a bachelor’s in...
Advocating for Nature from Girl Scouts to Environmental Policy
Jenna Agnello Master of Public Policy, Class of 2027 South River, NJPersonal interests: Hiking, skiing, camping, kayaking, and other outdoor activities; attending concerts and listening to music; yoga An avid outdoorswoman, Jenna’s Gold Award Project—the final honor...
Pathways of Purpose: Changing the World through Public Policy
Jasmine Hoff Master of Public Policy, Class of 2025 Maplewood, NJSpecializations: Education PolicyActivities/Organizations: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)Personal interests: listening to different music genres, writing songs and...
Urban Planning
Design and Data: Transforming Urban Mobility
Shweta Udaysingh Rajput Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2026 Areas of Interest: Transportation, GISHometown: Alibag-Raigad, Maharashtra, IndiaActivities at Rutgers: Social Justice Chair, Bloustein Graduate Student Association; GIS Research Assistant,...
Transforming Transportation From A Single Traffic Light
Halleigh Johnston Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2026 Certificate/Specializations: Transportation Planning and PolicyHometown: Bradenton, FloridaActivities at Rutgers: Vice President of Urban Planning, Bloustein Graduate Student Association A single...
Transit, Community and a Passion for Urban Connectivity
Kshitija S. Kulkarni Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2026 Areas of Interest: Transportation policy & planningHometown: Mumbai, IndiaActivities at Rutgers: Mentorship Program Coordinator, Bloustein Graduate Student Association; Writing Assistant,...
Leading Change Through Policy and Planning
Stephanie Fantazzi Master of Public Policy/Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2027 Certificate/Specializations: Community Development, Social Justice and HealthHometown: Dover, NJActivities at Rutgers: President, Bloustein Social Justice Committee...
From Simulations to Cityscapes: Designing Smarter Cities
Matthew L. D’Agostino Urban Planning and Design, Class of 2025 / Master of City and Regional Planning Class of 2026 Minor: Architecture Studies Graduate Concentration: Smart Cities, Urban Informatics, and Environmental Planning Hometown: Newton, Ma. Activities at...
Meshing Creativity and Community with Placemaking and Equity
Abigail Alvarez Planning & Public Policy Class of 2025 / Master of City and Regional Planning Class of 2026 Certificate: Women’s Leadership Hometown: Edison, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Co-President, Her Campus Rutgers 2022-2024; School of Arts and Sciences Honors...
Cultivating an Interest in Transportation Planning from Family and Community
Arnav Prakash Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2024 Kolkata, India Concentration: Transportation Planning and Policy Activities at Rutgers: President, Bloustein Graduate Student Association, 2023-2024; Student Assistant, Bloustein School Graduate Career...
Shaping Communities Though Urban Development and Affordable Housing
Ian Salzman Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2025 Omaha, NebraskaSpecializations: Housing & Community Development concentration, Real Estate Development & Redevelopment Certificate Personal interests: online chess, training for a half-marathon,...
Global Perspectives, Local Impact: A Quest for Affordable Housing Equity
Olubori ‘Bori’ Agboola Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2024 Lagos, NigeriaCertificate/Specializations: Affordable Housing/ Community Development and HousingActivities at Rutgers: Graduate Student Representative to the American Planning Association, New...
Alumna Susana Gonzalez, AICP, MCRP ’18, highlighted by Congress for New Urbanism
Susana Gonzalez, AICP, MCRP '18, was recently highlighted by the Congress for New Urbanism in their Latino Spotlight. ************************** Susana is an accomplished Colombian architect and urbanist currently based in Orlando since 2018. She completed her...
Rithikha Rajamohan MCRP ’23 debuts film “Sympoiesis” at the New Jersey Film Festival 1/28/23
MCRP candidate Rithikha Rajamohan (2023) created a film for an Experimental Filmmaking course last year with Professor Albert G. Nigrin titled "Sympoiesis". The short was chosen to screen at the 41st New Jersey Film Festival during an in-person and online shorts...
Max Toth MCRP ’23 is recipient of SAE Metro Section Fellowship
MCRP candidate Max Toth (2023) was recently awarded the New York City Metropolitan Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers Section Fellowship. The award was established to provide financial assistance to students enrolled at the Bloustein School who have an...
Spanning regional contexts for international planning and development
Divya Mahadevan Master in City and Regional Planning (MCRP), Class of 2023 Hometown: Kochi, India Certificate/Specializations: International Development/Community Development, Housing Personal interests: television, media, and film; geeking out about being part of a...
Alumni Profile: Music is inherent in building design
Mrunmayee Atre Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2018 A trained architect from Pune, India, Bloustein School alumnus Mrunmayee Atre, MCRP ’18, AICP, PP, LEED Green Associate, CAPM, believes that music resides in everyone through heartbeats and breathing. ...
From conservatory music to urban planning — putting the pieces together
Jeffrey Young Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2023 Hometown: Brooklyn, NY What led a conservatory-trained violinist and composer with a significant performance career to sign up for a master of city and regional planning degree at the Bloustein School?...
Bike advocacy inspires a public service career for former accountant
Ayla Schermer Master of City and Regional Planning, Class of 2021 Hometown: Jersey City, NJ Ayla Schermer is a former accountant turned passionate urban planner focused on creating safe, equitable, and sustainable streets and public spaces. Originally from Pittsburgh,...
Health Administration
Beyond the Bedside: From Biology to Healthcare Leadership
Juliann Lopes Master of Health Administration, Class of 2026 Hometown: Berkeley Heights, NJActivities at Rutgers: Secretary, Graduate Society of Healthcare Leaders; DE&I Committee, American College of Healthcare Executives Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in...
From Physician to Healthcare Leader: Bridging Compassion and Strategy
Parth Alkesh Shah Master of Health Administration, Class of 2026 Hometown: Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaCertificate/Specializations: Lean Six Sigma Green BeltActivities at Rutgers: Student Grader; Professional Development Chair, Graduate Society of Healthcare Leaders...
Transforming Healthcare: From Caregiver to Leader
Emily Muha Master of Health Administration, Class of 2024 Long Valley, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Vice President, Graduate Society of Healthcare Leaders; Student Associate, American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) Personal interests: spending time with friends...
Building Healthier Communities From First Responder to Administrative Advocate
Sergio Tlatenco Torres Master of Health Administration, Class of 2024 Roselle Park, NJ Certificate: Lean Six Sigma Green & Black Belt Activities at Rutgers: Co-Secretary and Communications Chair, Bloustein Graduate Student Association; Academic Chair, Rutgers...
Stitched with Purpose: A Career Toward Healthcare Access for Communities
Cindy Lira Master of Health Administration, Class of 2024 Linden, NJ Certificate: Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Activities at Rutgers: President, Rutgers Graduate Society of Healthcare Leaders, 2023-2024 school year; Secretary, GSHL, 2022-23 school year Personal...
Forging a Path in Healthcare Leadership
Briana Hernandez Master of Health Administration, Class of 2025 North Bergen, NJPersonal interests: Spending time with family, trying new cuisines, working out. After completing a bachelor of science in public health at the Bloustein School, Briana chose to continue...
Public Informatics
From Teaching Lessons to Learning New Ones: A Second Chance to Do More
Rimshah Jawad Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2026 Areas of Interest: AI, data analyticsHometown: Islamabad, PakistanActivities at Rutgers: Vice President, Public Informatics Student Group; Women’s Leadership Panel Rimshah Jawad’s path to public informatics...
A Journey from Finance to Data-Driven Policymaking
Md Nurul Hoque Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2024 Chittagong, Bangladesh Certificate: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Activities at Rutgers: President, Public Informatics Student GroupPersonal interests: watching historical documentaries and political...
Merging the Energy Sector and Global Data Analytics
Yousaf Shahid Master of Public Policy/Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2025 With a background in mechanical engineering and five years of experience in Pakistan's energy sector, Yousaf witnessed the critical challenges of energy security, outdated technologies,...
Beyond Borders: Navigating Public Policy for Socio-Economic Progress
Beauty Okunbor Master of Public Policy, Class of 2024/ Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2025 NigeriaConcentrations: Education Policy, Economic Development of Marginalized CommunitiesActivities/Organizations: Social Media co-chair, Bloustein Graduate Student...
Quantitative Compassion: A Journey to Data-Driven Policy
Tarun Reddy Arasu Master of Public Policy/Master of Public Informatics, Class of 2024 Hyderabad, IndiaSpecializations: Energy Economics Activities at Rutgers: Treasurer, Rutgers Graduate Student Association; GSA Liaison, Public Informatics Student Group Personal...
Junghoon Lee, MPI ’24
Meet Junghoon Lee, a dedicated professional with a background in urban planning, now making strides in the field of Public Informatics through the Public Informatics at Rutgers University program at the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and...
Doctoral Program
Yingning (Ningning) Xie
Dissertation Advisor Dr. Michael Smart Research Interest/Personal Statement E-bikes, Micromobility, Active Travel Healthcare Accessibility Social Equity Ningning is a Ph.D. student in Planning and Public Policy with a concentration in Transportation. He has conducted...
Sophia Fox-Dichter
Research Interests Rental housing Social safety net policies Social policy Inequality Teaching Experience Senior Teaching Assistant, 2024 Internship Program (Graduate/Undergraduate), New Jersey State Policy Lab, Summer 2024 Instructor, Qualitative Data Analysis Skill...
Lauren Nolan, AICP
Dissertation Title Municipal Orientations to Large-Scale Warehouse Development Dissertation Advisor Kathe Newman Research Interests Economic development Community development Urban change and inequality Housing affordability and instability Teaching Experience Applied...
Cathy Y.H. Wang
Dissertation Topic/Title Expert Attitudes toward Performance-Based Funding for Higher Education: A Mixed Methods Approach in the Case of New Jersey Research Interests Public budgeting and finance Social policy and health Nonprofits and philanthropy My current projects...
Lucas Marxen
Dissertation Topic/Title Public Informatics as Boundary Objects: Advancing Effective Decision-Making Dissertation Advisor Dr. William Hallman Research Interests My dissertation research is focused on the use of public informatics platforms to span the boundary between...
Undergraduate Programs
Health Administration
Where Health Meets Policy: A Vision for Equitable Care
Bernice Tiwaah Amankwah Health Administration Class of 2025 Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana Activities at Rutgers: Intern at New Jersey State Policy Lab (NJSPL), Research Fellow for the Ralph W. Voorhees Fellowship Program in Public Service at the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for...
Leading in Healthcare from Behind the Scenes
Maitri Bhupatkar Health Administration Class of 2026 Minor: Public Health Hometown: Iselin, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Future Health Administrators, Vice President; Rutgers Raas and Garba Association (RU RAGA); Rutgers Desi Intercultural Youth Association (DIYA) Maitri...
Real Problems Inspire Real Solutions: Transforming Healthcare
Jennifer Ritz Health Administration Class of 2025 Hometown: Northfield, NJ (formerly Clawson, Michigan) Activities at Rutgers: Upsilon Phi Delta honor society Jennifer Ritz still remembers the moment her career path began to take shape—long before she ever...
Exploring the World, Improving Healthcare Systems
Sarah Shiner Health Administration Class of 2025 Minor: Medical Ethics and Health Policy Certificates: Health Policy, Cancer Surveillance & Epidemiology, Six Sigma Yellow Belt Hometown: Chicago, IL Activities at Rutgers: Treasurer, Rutgers Figure Skating Club...
Transferring Lessons From the Cricket Field to the Classroom
by Sharon Waters for Rutgers Today As a professional cricket player and coach, Rutgers senior Deep Joshi learned the importance of teamwork, which helped him succeed in the classroom, as well as on the field. “Cricket is a team game of 11 players where they need to...
Planning and Public Policy
Meshing Creativity and Community with Placemaking and Equity
Abigail Alvarez Planning & Public Policy Class of 2025 / Master of City and Regional Planning Class of 2026 Certificate: Women’s Leadership Hometown: Edison, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Co-President, Her Campus Rutgers 2022-2024; School of Arts and Sciences Honors...
Planning and Public Policy: Civic Engagement to Expand Representation
Nina Gohel Political Science/Planning and Public PolicyClass of 2023 Nina Gohel was part of the inaugural Rutgers Summer Service Internship (RSSI) Initiative launched this year by Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway. This special internship provides select students...
Public Policy
From Fear to Freedom and Hope: A Venezuelan Student’s Journey
Pursuing a college education and the American dream, Rafael Escalante departed the embattled South American nation and made his way to New Jersey Rafael Escalante escaped politically motivated persecution as a teenager in Venezuela to find his place – and a brighter...
Finding Voice, Building Change: A Path to Policy and Community
Wren Lieberman Public Policy, Class of 2026 Minor: Political Science Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ Activities at Rutgers: FIGS Peer Instructor - Exploring Diversity and Social Justice, Rutgers Career Exploration and Success FIGS Program; RU Voting Intern, Eagleton Center...
Bridging Technology and Policy Through Public Service
Erica Shabnam Public Policy/Information Technology & Informatics, Class of 2026 Hometown: Atlantic City, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Lloyd C. Gardner Fellow; Professional Affairs Director, Rutgers Women in Information Technology & Informatics; Associate Editor,...
Weaving Policy, Purpose, and Possibility
Zhichao James Xi Public Policy / Marketing, Class of 2025 Minor: Geography Hometown: Millburn, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Eagleton Institute of Politics Undergraduate Associate; past President, Rutgers Association of Marketing & Strategy; Chinese Christian...
Bloustein public policy undergrad named to New Brunswick BOE
Ashley Caldwell, a 19-year-old Rutgers sophomore who served as the student representative to the Board of Education during her senior year at New Brunswick High School, has been tapped to fill a vacant seat on the board. She fills the position left open when her dad,...
Public Health
Public Health with Purpose: An Athlete-to-Advocate Journey
Katherine Lang Public Health, Class of 2026 Minor: Business Administration Hometown: Charlotte, NC Activities at Rutgers: Team Captain, Rutgers Women’s Swimming and Diving; Vice President, Rutgers Student Athlete Advisory Committee, 2024-25; President, Rutgers Student...
Rooted in Resilience, Building a Path to Health Equity
Johan Valbuena Public Health, Class of 2025 Minor: Psychology Hometown: Bergenfield, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Treasurer, Eta Sigma Gamma National Health Education Honorary; Research Assistant, Cognition and Learning Center (CALC) Lab; Undergraduate Teaching...
Advocacy and Action Through Public Health
Aayla Khan Public Health, Class of 2025 Certificates: Health Disparities, Global Health and Health Policy Hometown: New Brunswick, New Jersey Activities at Rutgers: Bloustein School Undergraduate Student Ambassador An aspiring health policy advocate, Aayla Khan...
Family Health Struggles Inspires a Passion to Make Positive Change
Brandon Olivares Public Health, Class of 2024 Hometown: North Plainfield, NJ Activities/Organizations: Eta Sigma Gamma, Rutgers Peruvian American Student Association (RUPASA) Personal interests: Collecting Rilakkuma plushes, cat video enthusiast, listening to albums...
Combining Natural Science and Public Health
Anjali Patel Public Health/Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Class of 2024 Hometown:Jefferson Township, NJ Activities/Organizations: Reach Out and Read, The Examiner, Voices of Diversity Student Advisory Board Personal interests: Reading, playing board games, sewing,...
Urban Planning and Design
From Transit Curiosity to Urban Impact
Charisha Gao Urban Planning and Design, Class of 2025 Minor: Data Science Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ Activities at Rutgers: Member of EJB DESIGNS, Blueprint Product Management Fellow With New York City in close proximity, East Brunswick, NJ native Charisha...
From Simulations to Cityscapes: Designing Smarter Cities
Matthew L. D’Agostino Urban Planning and Design, Class of 2025 / Master of City and Regional Planning Class of 2026 Minor: Architecture Studies Graduate Concentration: Smart Cities, Urban Informatics, and Environmental Planning Hometown: Newton, Ma. Activities at...
A Love of Green Spaces Changes a Career Path
Zoe McGowan Urban Planning & Design, Class of 2025Minor: Landscape Design Hometown: Basking Ridge, NJ Activities/Organizations: Bloustein Public Service Association Communications & Public Relations Chair, Field Hockey, Delta Gamma Honor Board...
Disney Inspires Interest in Sustainable and Equitable “Cities of Tomorrow”
Michael Panchery Urban Planning and Design with a minor in SustainabilityClass of 2024 Hometown: Hillsborough, NJ Activities/Organizations/Positions at EJB/Rutgers: Innovation, Design, & Entrepreneurship Academy (IDEA), D1 Men’s Ice Hockey Trips to Disney World...
Intersecting public service, community design and participatory planning
Justin Alexander Urban Planning and Design, Class of 2022 Hometown: New Port Richey, Florida Interests/hobbies: short story-writing, photography, urban sketching Justin arrived at Rutgers having been shaped by childhood interests in medicine and community service—and...