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, Rutgers Undergraduate Law Review;  Resident Assistant, Peer Career Educator, Rutgers Career Exploration & Success; Customer Relations Manager, Rutgers Career Exploration & Success; Research Assistant, Aresty Research Center; Darien Civic Engagement Project, Eagleton Institute of Politics; Writing Tutor, Rutgers Writing Centers; Tutor, Upward Bound; Event Coordinator, Rutgers Together Not Alone

 

Erica Shabnam’s passion for equity in technology began with a simple but powerful memory—watching her father struggle with a government-issued cell phone that barely functioned.

“My father’s income qualified him for a cell phone through an assistance program, and he jumped at the chance to be able to contact his family back home,” she recalled. “But he quickly realized that the cell phone was only reliable for a 2 or 3-minute call before the device would crash. As a 7th grader, my father’s situation greatly upset me—especially when my classmates possessed the earlier versions of the smartphones we have today.”

The experience sparked Erica’s determination to reform technological inequities and support economically disadvantaged communities through public policy.

At Rutgers Erica is majoring in both Public Policy and Information Technology & Informatics (ITI), a combination that allows her to pursue her vision of civic technology and inclusive policy reform. “The ITI major is very people-focused, and I believe that’s an essential aspect of policymaking,” she explained. “It ensures constituents’ needs are truly understood and met.”

Initially, Rutgers wasn’t her top choice. “I wanted a new landscape to grow and develop,” she admitted. “But Rutgers turned out to be one of the greatest decisions of my life.” As a New Jersey native, she came to appreciate the proximity to home and the affordability. “The opportunities are abundant, and I have met so many professionals who have supported my academic and career growth,” she said. “The classes are enriching, and the professors I’ve come across care about my experience and development as a student.”

She was also inspired by her older brother, a Bloustein public health graduate. After a brief start in political science, Erica knew it wasn’t the right path. “During the winter break after my first semester, I did some digging on different schools at Rutgers, and that’s how I came across public policy at Bloustein.” She scheduled a meeting with Associate Dean of Undergraduate Services Christina Torian, and things fell into place.

One of her most impactful mentors has been Dr. Debra Borie-Holtz. “I met her my freshman year when I applied to be part of her Aresty Research Project, and I really appreciated her asking me about my story and interests related to voting—as was the topic of the Aresty project,” said Erica. “She is very passionate about public service and policymaking at the state level. Her dedication to voting rights and state level accountability has rubbed off on me, and is one of many reasons for my engrossment in state-level policymaking.”

That passion deepened through an internship with the New Jersey Senate Majority Office, secured through the Rutgers Summer Service Internship (RSSI) Program. “I worked as a policy intern alongside legislative staffers to support legislators and the lawmaking process at the state level—writing memos, drafting bill comments, and sitting in on committee hearings,” she said. “It was everything I imagined doing in my future career but just could not put into words.”

Looking ahead, Erica envisions working as a legislative staffer—whether in a state legislature or eventually at the federal level—focused on technological innovation and the digital access divide. She hopes to jump straight into the workforce after graduation. “I value work experience, so having the opportunity to work directly in the government after graduating with my bachelor’s would be great. I would appreciate the opportunity to work in a different state legislature, as a legislative staffer or assistant of some sort, and then move to the federal government to work in Congress or a federal agency with specializations in technology-oriented policy.,” she said.

To students considering public policy, Erica’s advice is clear: “If you’re interested in public service in any form, give the public policy major—or at least the intro classes—a try. It’s a comprehensive major with a variety of courses that target different policy areas, such as healthcare, disability, education, and more. Students can discover new pathways that may be intriguing to them.”

“I also learned how to adapt my writing and communication skills more efficiently for a policy or public service-oriented space, which is invaluable no matter your career,” she finished.

Outside the classroom, Erica is an advocate for trying new things purely for the experience. She feeds her creative spirit by writing poems and stories, reading fantasy novels, and collecting unique jewelry. “Recently, I’ve gotten into comedy shows—and I’d love to try stand-up someday just for fun,” she said. “Every day, I’m learning more about life’s joys. That journey has brought me exactly to where I am now.”