At Harris Public Policy, students do great things every day. As a part of our 2019 Year in Review series, which includes “8 Things We Love About the Keller Center” and “8 Pieces of Research Offering Fresh Policy Insights in 2019,” we have compiled a list of some of those remarkable student endeavors:

1. Helping combat climate change

Dipak Bishwokarma (left) joined other Obama Foundation Scholars on a panel discussing climate change during the Global Symposium on Sustainable Cities and Neighborhoods. Photo by Nancy Wong

Dipak Bishwokarma, MAIDP Class of 2020, as well as other Obama Scholars, spoke on a panel during the Global Symposium on Sustainable Cities and Neighborhoods.

2. Fighting for public institutions during the Illinois budget impasse

Slaughter persistently advocated for UIC during his time as an undergraduate.

Co-founding the UIC Student Advocacy Coalition, Marvin Slaughter, MPP Class of 2021, became active in the fight to provide funding for public colleges and universities during the Illinois budget impasse – and after.

3. Fighting for Puerto Rico following hurricanes, political corruption

Nightly protests occurred in front of the Governor's mansion.

Edoardo Ortiz, MPP Class of 2020, and Alexis Smyser, MPP Class of 2021, advocate for hurricane relief and ethical government in Puerto Rico.

 

4. Seeking an end to honor killings

Thulasi Maddineni, MPP Class of 2020, had long wanted to end the practice of honor killings. She submitted a proposal addressing the problem of honor killings in India to The Oxford Challenge, a prestigious social venture competition which calls on students to compete by deeply exploring an issue that matters and sharing those findings with the world in order to make an impact.  

5. Starting a new podcast to learn about military-civilian relations

As the two recently interviewed Axelrod before a live audience at Harris’ Keller Center, they were already weighing the possibility of a second season.

On their UC3P podcast “Thank You For Your Service,” Thomas Krasnican and Nicholas Paraiso, both MPP Class of 2020, share details about life in the military which might surprise civilians.

The podcast got the attention of CNN.

6. Having important discussions about race, injustice

Bryan Stevenson is the author of "Just Mercy," the 2019-2020 Harris Common Read.

The Harris Common Read, a tradition begun by students, confronts issues of diversity, inclusion, and public policy. This year’s was Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy.

7. Learning abroad in the West Bank, Israel, Jordan

Elise Egan, MPP Class of 2020

Through an initiative from The Pearson Institute, students have the opportunity to travel to destinations around the world to study global conflict – including Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank

 

8. Learning abroad in London, through the Civic Leadership Academy

Fellows at the British House of Lords

During the Global Practicum, CLA fellows travel abroad to meet and learn from civic practitioners from the government and non-profit sectors. During this week, fellows are asked to collect data on the core themes of leadership: what it is, what it isn’t, and what it requires. Fellows recognize leadership challenges and strategies, and learn how to translate lessons learned to Chicago. The global practicum allows fellows to think critically about leadership by immersing themselves in a completely new context.

“What an extraordinary week we had,” said William Howell, Sydney Stein Professor and Faculty Director for CLA. 

9. Being light-hearted, even in stressful times

Harris wouldn’t be Harris without the Follies!