Student Profile: Carrie Collins, MPP Class of 2024

Caroline Collins, MPP Class of 2024, brings a creative, interdisciplinary, and inclusive approach to work at the intersection of technology and public policy. 

After graduating with her BA in English and Psychology from Providence College, Collins worked as a Business Operations Administrator at Princeton School of Engineering & Applied Science. "I helped launch a design lab as well as a makerspace—a cross between design and engineering technologies that enable people to explore a tactile, hands-on exposure to education. Our makerspace had woodworking equipment, sewing equipment, printers, a Cricut, and old machines and computers students could restore or scrap for parts to build their own motherboards. Before I began designing the makerspace," Collins said, "I interviewed people who ran similar spaces at Yale, Stanford, and MIT to ask questions about design, accessibility, safety, and innovation so that people felt like they could experiment, prototype, or design in whatever way invigorated them the most.”

Collins also led projects on web accessibility. “Those projects helped me see that when we design things—whether it’s a product or a policy—we need to design for those who need the most advocacy, because that’s how we create inclusive designs that encompass everyone’s needs.”

Both projects sparked a passion for inclusion and advocacy, and Collins began looking into MPP programs. “I had been out of school for a while, so I also earned a post-baccalaureate certificate in Public Policy from Rutgers to ensure policy was the right path for me. Although Harris had not been on my list, they kept coming up in my search because of the quality of the degree and the quantitative foundation. And when I applied, the experience ended up being so pleasant: I felt valued and wanted every step of the way. By the time I got my acceptance letter, Harris had become my first choice.”

Now a second year Master of Public Policy (MPP) student, Collins has found her niche working at the intersection of policy and emerging technologies, like AI. “My favorite class has been AI for Public Policy with Dr. Jens Ludwig. The class gave me the vocabulary to manage digital teams and create technological solutions for policy. Also, studying artificial intelligence at the beginning of the generative AI boom was a really cool and fortunate thing to get to explore.”

At Harris, Collins also serves as Editor in Chief of Chicago Policy Review, the student-led policy analysis publication; the Communications Chair of OUTPolitik, Harris’ LGBTQ+ student organization; a student representative for the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board; and graduate assistant in the admissions office.

Collins recently secured a role as an Associate Consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, where she will help the Civilian Services Team leverage technology to improve the delivery of government services for civilians. “My soon-to-be colleagues are using generative AI, machine learning, and data science to make sure that we are giving as much as possible where there is the greatest need. Plus, every person I spoke with at Booz Allen said not only do they feel wildly fulfilled, but that they had seen immediate results for many projects—and that is such a rare gem to find. I'm excited for what's next."