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!

On this page:

• Signature Events
• Public Policy Studies Student Advisory Board
• Graduating Students
• Alumni

Signature Events

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 highlights:

• Open House - Oct. 12, 2022, 5-6 PM. The Keller Center Sky Suite and Zoom
• SAB Autumn Reading Period Breakfast - Dec. 5, 2022, 8-10 AM
• BA Symposium - Feb. 10th, 2023
• SAB Winter Reading Period Breakfast - March 6, 2023, 8-10 AM
• Third Year Meeting - April 19, 2023 5:00-6:30 PM, Keller 1002
• Second Year Meeting - May 3, 2023, Keller Sky Suite
• End of Year Celebration - May 17, 2023, Keller Sky Suite
• SAB Spring Reading Period Breakfast - May 22, 2023, 8-10 AM
• Faculty Lunch and Learns - prior to pre-registration every quarter

Public Policy Studies Student Advisory Board (SAB)

The Public Policy Student Advisory Board 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 2022-23 board will focus on advising the PBPL team on a variety of programs in areas of community building, academic support, and peer & professional mentorships.

Feel free to contact your class representative with any questions, concerns, ideas, and to connect!

2022-23 SAB Cohort

Caleb Olumofin, Second Year Representative

Luke Kalaydjian, Third Year Representative

Zoe Torrey, Fourth Year Representative

Grace Zandi, Fourth Year Representative

Graduating Students

BA Thesis

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.

BA Project

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!

Honors & Awards

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 2022, the Undergraduate Public Policy faculty selected four students to receive the award. Read more about the TAUB history and recent awardees here.

To see a selected list of PBPL students who were awarded College Honors and Awards during 2021-22, click here.

Alumni

Research & Publications

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!

Updates

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