We have amazing students and alumni, and are proud to highlight some of their involvement and accomplishments.

For additional stories, visit our Facebook pageInstagram, and Twitter!

On this page:


Upcoming 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 4, 2023, 5-6 PM. Zoom
  • SSD Open House - Oct 11, 2023, 1-3 PM, Social Sciences Quad
  • Fireside Chat with Oeindrila Dube - Nov 6, 12:30-1:30 PM, Ida Noyes
  • Speaker Event with Ben Samuels-Kalow, Founder and Head of School, Creo College Prep (NY), Nov 14, 2023, 12:30-1:30 PM, Keller 2112
  • SAB Autumn Reading Period Breakfast - Dec 4, 2023, 8-10 AM, Keller
  • BA Symposium - Feb 9, 2024, 8:45 AM-4:00 PM, Various Locations, Keller
  • Poli-TEA - Let's Talk about Spring Courses - Feb 12, 2024, 5-7 PM, Hallowed Grounds
  • EDSO/PBPL Panel on Education an Policy - Feb 21, 2024, 5:30-7:00, Keller Sky Suite
  • SAB Winter Reading Period Breakfast - Mar 1, 2024, 9:30-12:30, Keller Sky Suite
  • Second Year Meeting - Mar 28, 2024, 5:00-6:30 PM
  • Third Year Meeting - April 24, 2024, 5:00-6:30 PM
  • End of Year Celebration - May 15, 2024, 5:00-6:30 PM, Keller Sky Suite
  • SAB Spring Reading Period Breakfast - May 20, 2024, 9 AM-12 PM
  • All-Harris Graduation Celebration - May 31, 2024, Keller Sky Suite
  • Faculty Lunch and Learns - prior to pre-registration


    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 focused on advising the PBPL team on a variety of programs in areas of community building, academic support, and peer & professional mentorships.

     

    2023-24 SAB Cohort

     

    Quentin Mills Quentin Mills First Year Representative
    Caden Nixt Caden Nixt Second Year Representative
    Katie Fraser Katie Frasier Third Year Representative
    Max Ntalamu Max Ntalamu Third Year Representative
    Odunayo Akinade Odunayo Akinade Third Year Representative
    Qwenyth Ross

    Gwenyth Ross

    Third Year Representative
    Riya Bindlish Riya Bindlish Fourth Year Representative
    Anna Stallings 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.

    Announcing the 2023 Taub Thesis Prize

    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!

    You can access additional information and finished projects 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 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.


    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!

    Spread Your Wings and FLI: How to Effectively Navigate College as a First-Generation, Low-Income Student Kindle Edition

    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