I teach at Cornell Institute for Public Affairs (CIPA), the MPA program at Cornell University.  I am Associate Director for CIPA Public Engagement and coordinator and instructor of the CIPA Capstone and Consulting for Government and Nonprofit Consulting courses. I hold a BA degree from the University of Massachusetts, and graduate degrees in education and human development from Harvard University and public policy and administration from Columbia University. Prior to joining Cornell, I was Senior Associate at Children's Defense Fund in Washington DC and Child Care Action Campaign in New York City, where my research was funded by Ford Foundation, Carnegie Foundation, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Mailman Family Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts and others; I conducted research on local implementation and administration of federal programs; communication, awareness, knowledge, and understanding of government programs and services within different communities; the development of public-private partnerships; state-level and community collaborations to improve education, early childhood, health, and social services; and stakeholder engagement in the policy, program development, and legislative processes.  I also worked on funding and policy for federally-funded programs for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development during the Dinkins and Giuliani administrations, and was liaison to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  My research, government and independent consulting experience in the public sphere informs my work with CIPA students as they engage with public agencies, NGOs, and other partners to address public concerns internationally, in the United States, and here in Ithaca and Tompkins County