School of Public Policy at UMass Amherst

Students from the School of Public Policy's graduate and undergrad public policy programs recently presented proposals to the Town of Amherst advocating for increased lighting in parts of downtown Amherst. Their proposals were part of a capstone project overseen by Assistant Professor Bridgette Davis.

Learn more at the Daily Hampshire Gazette article here: https://gazettenet.com/2026/05/29/around-amherst-umass-students-propose-downtown-lighting-upgrades/

SPP recently held our annual celebration of graduates and awards ceremony for the MS in DACSS, MPP, and MPPA programs. With the state of the world today, it gives us all so much hope and happiness to celebrate such brilliant and passionate leaders as they begin the next phase of their careers and education!

We also want to highlight the fantastic award winners across our programs:
MS in Data Analytics and Computational Social Science:
Outstanding Student Award:
Jocelyn Canton
Venkat Dasari

Doing Good with Data Award:
Niranjan Prakash
Sumedha

Master of Public Policy and Master of Public Policy and Administration:

M.V. Lee Badgett Social Justice Award:
Nurah Jaradat
Anaamika Nair

Phillip Hertz Award:
Dinda Rolobessy
Ellisha Walker

Congratulations to the SPP class of 2026!

April was a busy month for our faculty, students, and alumni! Check out some of the news from last month at https://www.umass.edu/public-policy/news

While the autumn may still be a few months away, there's no time like the present to check out this coming Fall 2026 semester's online public policy courses!

Learn more about each course here: https://www.umass.edu/public-policy/summer-fall-online-classes

As UMass Gives comes to a close, we want to extend a sincere thank you to our community! We are so grateful to everyone who was able to donate and support our students via internship funding and career exploration. This UMass Gives, you managed to raise nearly $2,500 to help students find and create the professional pathways needed for their changemaking careers in public service!

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU for supporting public policy students this !

UMass Gives ends TONIGHT at MIDNIGHT! ✨Help support student travel for career exploration trips! We offer students the opportunity to visit DC, NYC, and Boston each year to meet with alumni, public service officials, and potential employers to help them develop their network and the skills they will use to make change! Providing travel funding for such trips is integral to facilitate these visits. Help us continue to support career exploration trips this Link to donate: https://umass.scalefunder.com/gday/giving-day/111216/department/111249

✨ Participation in the Civic Action Project (CAP) - where students work directly with public leaders to develop skills to serve in the public sector - is a unique opportunity that is not possible without funding support from our public policy community - YOU! This , please consider supporting our public policy students by giving a gift of any size! Link to give here: https://umass.scalefunder.com/gday/giving-day/111216/department/111249

✨Today is the LAST DAY of ! Help support student career exploration! We offer students the opportunity to visit DC, NYC, and Boston each year to meet with alumni, public service officials, and potential employers to help them develop their network and the skills they will use to make change. Providing travel funding for such trips is integral to facilitate these visits! Help us continue to support career exploration trips this - April 29th & 30th. Link to donate here: https://umass.scalefunder.com/gday/giving-day/111216/department/111249

Support student professional development! During , your support will help us continue to provide professional development opportunities, internship placement, and career exploration trips for our students to help them gain the skills and experience they need to make the change they want to see! Link to donate here: https://umass.scalefunder.com/gday/giving-day/111216/department/111249