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We have amazing students and alumni, and are proud to highlight some of their involvement and accomplishments.
For additional stories, visit our Facebook page, Instagram, and Twitter!
We organize various events throughout the year that students may find useful in navigating the major, learning more about particular policy issues, socializing and networking. Note: this information is updated frequently, so don’t forget to check back from time to time. Here are some tentative events for the 24-25 academic year. We'll add dates and links as they become available.
The Public Policy Student Advisory Board (SAB) provides a platform to pursue leadership opportunities within the major and actively participate in the creation, planning and execution of student-centered programming and opportunities. The 24-25 board will continue to focus on advising the PBPL team on a variety of programs in areas of community building, academic support, and peer & professional mentorships. Continuing and new members will also help market our major and support events.
Second Year Representative (Public Policy and Biology/Pre-Med planned)
Third Year Representative (Public Policy)
Pronouns: He/him
Hometown: Pickerington, OH
This Summer: I worked as an intern at Health Policy Institute of Ohio, student runner for CNN at the Democratic National Convention, health policy research assistant at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and tennis professional at a country club.
Fun Fact: I like pickleball more than I like tennis!
Third Year Representative
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
This Summer: This summer I worked as an intern for the Chicago Abortion Fund.
Fun Fact: I am also a theatrical lighting designer, and my work has been seen both in on-campus productions with University Theater as well as at local storefront theatres!
Gwenyth Ross
Fourth Year Representative (Public Policy)
Pronouns: She/Her
Hometown: Glastonbury, CT
This Summer: I worked at the UChicago Crime and Education Lab this Summer
Fun Fact: I have a dog named Simba!
Visit the University of Chicago Open Access Repository for Documents, Data, and Media at knowledge.uchicago.edu to read BA Honors theses from past years. Search using the "public policy studies thesis" tagline.
Announcing the 2023 Taub Thesis Prize
Students can complete the BA Capstone Project by submitting an extensive writing assignment for the PBPL 29500 BA Project Seminar. Students are currently working on projects related to the city of Chicago. A selection of Autumn projects has been published on the Chicago Policy Review. You can read them here!
You can access additional information and finished projects here.
The Richard P. Taub Thesis Prize, created in 2018, is awarded annually to three undergraduate Public Policy Studies students who have done original and extensive research for the BA thesis project. In 2023, the Undergraduate Public Policy faculty selected Sam Abers, Titilayo Arowolo, and Ricky Holder as the award recipients. Read more about their work here.
The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Center for Research on Wealth Inequality and Mobility Undergraduate Thesis Award, created in 2023, is annually awarded to two exceptional University of Chicago undergraduate students who have produced exemplary research on topics of inequality in the United States or cross-culturally comparative contexts. One is awarded to a student who conducts their research within the social sciences, and the other to a student who performs their research within public policy. The public policy award was conferred to Sophie (Sifei) Yang. Read more about her work here.
Jessica Mora (AB'20) - "Spread Your Wings and FLI: How to Effectively Navigate College as a First-Generation, Low-Income Student" - Order your copy here!
Our major has an extensive alumni community. Join our UChicago PBPL LinkedIn group to connect! Here are some alumni updates:
Raj Nayak ('00), Yale Law, recently confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Policy, Labor Department
Aviva Rosman ('10), Harris, Co-Founder & COO at BallotReady, personalized ballots in 50 states
Ben Samuel-Kalow ('12), MEd, NYC DoE, Head of School, Founder, Creo College Prep, Bronx
Karlyn Gorski ('14), PhD, UChicago sociology ('22), Assistant Instructional Professor in PBPL!
Tobi Gbile ('18), product marketing manager adidas x Beyoncé, Ivy Park, athleisure
Sharan Subramanian ('18), MBA candidate, Yale School of Management, Founder and President of Invest in Chess
Josh Zakharov ('20), second year law student, NYU, International Law & Justice Scholar