Policy Analysis and Management

These graduating students were selected by the department as Outstanding PAM Seniors because of their exceptional academic performance, recognition of their character and achievements both on and off campus, their demonstrated leadership, and contributions they have made to the department and campus community during their time with us. We congratulate all of them for their accomplishments and wish them well in their future careers.

Danial completed an eight week internship in New York doing labor market economic research at The Conference Board. He completed a seven month internship at CRA International in Boston doing antitrust consulting work. He also worked as a research assistant for Dr. Robert Frank and Dr. Catherine Taylor, in economics and sociology, respectively.  

Danial has been accepted into the MPS Program in Applied Statistics at Cornell. Upon receiving his Masters, he plans to obtain a Ph.D in Economics.

After competing on the Speech and Debate team as a Freshman, Alex led a mock trial team that became one of the top-5 trial teams in the nation. In 2007 the team placed third nationally, and Alex was named an All-American Attorney.

Alex plays drums in Cornell Jazz Ensembles and local music sensation Funk and Disorderly. He serves as a college advisor for the YMCA Youth and Government Program.  

After graduation Alex will work as a Business Analyst for Deloitte Consulting in New York. Eventually, he plans on going to law school.

Matt graduated early this January with Honors. His thesis title is: The Impact of Over the Counter (OTC) Weight Loss Product Television Advertisements on the Consumption of OTC Weight Loss Products and Other Diet- Related Behaviors. His research focused on looking at various effects of pharmaceutical advertising on consumer behavior. His thesis analyzed the effects of over-the-counter (OTC) weight loss television advertisements on dieting behavior, exercising behavior, and use of related products. Research indicates that, controlling for socio demographics and viewing intensity, that while exposure to the advertisements make a consumer more likely to purchase ineffective products, exposure also increases the likelihood of the consumer controlling their diet and exercising. While it may seem easier to ban these outlandish advertisements (ex: lose 30 lbs in 3 days), they do seem to have positive spillover effects when it comes to diet and exercise.

Matt has been Project Manager of Dr. Rosemary Avery's undergraduate research team and will begin working as a Research Assistant for Dr. Sherry Glied at the Columbia School of Public Health. 4/28 Update: He has just been accepted to the Heinz School at Carnegie Mellon and will begin study for a PhD in Public Policy and Management.

Award: Cornell Presidential Research Scholar.

Elizabeth is a Team Leader in the Raising Educational Attainment Challenge (REACH) organization.  In REACH she works at an after-school program offered to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.  As team leader she is in charge of recruiting and managing tutors, planning and running monthly activities, and acting as the liaison between REACH (here at Cornell) and the after-school program.

Elizabeth spent a semester abroad in Guayaquil, Ecuador, which has piqued her interest in Latin America and the Spanish language. 

Elizabeth plans to leave the cold of Ithaca behind for sunny Northern California.  She hopes to work in policy research and data analysis, likely focusing on public education.

Award: PAM Honors.

Among her many campus activities, Adena was instrumental in organizing the Educate the Vote: McCain v. Obama in 3D - Data and Debate on domestic policy.  

Adena was also an active member of Alpha Phi Sorority, where she served as the Vice President of Program Development, a member of the Membership Development Committee, and as Unity Chair. She also served on the Greek Judicial Board.  

In her junior year, Adena spent a semester in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She volunteered at a program for low-income children called Fundación Juanito while learning Spanish.  

Adena became interested in a finance career path after interning with Goldman Sachs. She will continue on this career path after graduation by working in the Media and Telecom group of Merrill Lynch’s Investment Banking Division. In the future she plans on attending law school.

Marisa has also mentored children at the Ithaca Youth Bureau.  She is a member and Vice-President of the Society for Women in Business, an organization providing positive networking and social environment for aspiring business professionals.  She is a member and the Philanthropy Chair for the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority.

Marisa spent a semester abroad studying Italian Art and Cooking in Florence, Italy.

Marisa plans to attend law school after graduation.

Awards: Dean's List, member of Kappa Omricron Nu Honor Society, Member of Golden Key Honor Society, National Society for Collegiate Scholars.

Amy spent a semester abroad in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she studied children's rights. 

Amy's extra-curricular activities include serving as a board member and as a Chair Person of the Peer Review Board. She helped start SMILEY, a student group that fostered community, leadership, and confidence in high school students.  She was a teaching assistant for Collaborative Leadership.  She worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Rachel Dunifon on the Parenting in Context Project. She volunteered with the Cornell Elderly Partnership, which addresses the needs of the elderly in the Ithaca community; as well as with the Cornell Prison Education Program; and as a REACH Tutor in the Gossett Residential Facility.

Awards: Dean's List, Truman Scholarship National Finalist 2008, Cornell Tradition Fellow, Cornell Urban Scholar, Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society, Golden Key Honor Society.

Anna's on-campus activities included being a New Member Orientation Chair for the Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, and serving in the Women's Alumnae Networking Committee.

Anna will be taking a year off after graduation to gain some work experience while applying to law school.  She hopes to attend law school in fall 2010 and to pursue  business law.

Awards: PAM honors, Dean's List.

Elizabeth has been a TA for Introduction to Policy Analysis and Management.  Her extra-curricular activities include being the Steering Committee Chair for Human Ecology Ambassadors, students who volunteer their time to help prospective students through the college search process by providing the student perspective on life - academic, social, and otherwise.  She served on the Panhellenic Council as Vice President for Finance and worked on the Senior Class Campaign 2009 as Vice President of Publicity.  In addition, she served as Executive Vice President, Kappa Omicron Nu, Human Ecology Honor Society.

After graduation, Elizabeth will attend the University of Chicago for a Masters of Public Policy.

Awards: PAM Honors, Dean's List, Kappa Omicron Nu, Order of Omega.

Rafael entered Cornell with his energy focused on playing football.  After his first semester in Policy Analysis and Management, however, he knew that this was the major for him and was attracted to its versatility and usefulness. 

For the last two years Rafael has been the Lead TA for Introduction to Policy Analysis and Management.  He became, as a sophomore, President of Sigma Phi Society. 

Rafael spent a summer working in finance for Citigroup. He is going on to attend law school with an interest in either corporate or real estate law.

Awards: Dean's List, Class of 2000 Parker Family Scholarship Recipient, Cornell Chapter of Greater Buffalo Scholarship Recipient, Cornell Chapter of Sigma Phi Scholarship Recipient, Sigma Phi Scholar in Residence.

Shir spent the spring semester of her junior year abroad at Tel Aviv University. During and after her semester abroad, she pursued a six-month internship in an international bank.  

Shir will be working full-time with GE’s Financial Management Program, a two-year rotational leadership program in corporate finance.

During her years on campus Talia has been very active in the community.  She became the lead fundraiser for the Class of 2009 Thanksgiving Aid to Families in Need drive.  As a member of Kappa Omicron Nu, she participated in bake sales sponsored by the PLUS organization in which proceeds are directed to the Cornell Prison Project and clothing drives donated to the Salvation Army.  She led another clothing sale in which all proceeds were given to Sharsheret, which helps young Jewish women living with breast cancer.  She started a KON Relay for Life team, to support those who survived and those currently living with cancer.

Talia worked summer analyst in JP Morgan's Financial Analytics and Structured Transactions in the Sales and Trading Division.  After graduation Talia will work full time for JP Morgan.

Awards: Dean's List, Kappa Omicron Nu, The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.