Get to know some of our accomplished alumni.
Fred Banks, D.P.A. ’20, a Washington, D.C. native, is dedicated to improving opportunities for youth and young adults. After graduating from Bishop McNamara High School (Forestville, MD), he earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s in Sociology from Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD). He began his career in Maryland state government, first as a program manager with the Department of Parole and Public Safety, and then as a program monitor with the Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families. In this role, he identified barriers to child wellness and oversaw statewide youth service programs.
Returning to Morgan State University as Associate Director of Admissions, Fred leveraged data to identify and recruit prospective students, and partnered with community and national organizations to expand access to higher education for underserved youth.
Since 2009, Fred has served as Program Director for the Conservation Jobs Corps (formerly the Civic Justice Corps) within the Maryland Park Service (MD Department of Natural Resources). His leadership provides experiential learning and environmental service opportunities for young people across Maryland. In 2014, his role expanded to include supervision of the Maryland Conservation Corps and the Veteran’s Conservation Corps. Through partnerships with state, county, and national organizations, these programs have grown significantly, engaging youth, young adults, and veterans in critical work to improve the Chesapeake Bay, state parks, and other public lands.
Fred is committed to using data-driven insights to address the challenges young adults face in accessing opportunities and improving their quality of life.
Lyndsay Bates ('23) research focused on the impact of structural inequality on redevelopment efforts
in Baltimore City. Her dissertation, "Citizen Representation in Democratic Government
Processes: A Study of Baltimore City’s Central Business District (CBD) Redevelopment
from 1950-2007," examines this complex issue in detail.
During her doctoral studies, Lyndsay distinguished herself by receiving three prestigious awards: the ASPA Founders Fellowship, a research fellowship supporting her doctoral work, and a distinguished staff award recognizing her professional contributions. She also demonstrated her commitment to social justice through active involvement in several initiatives at the University of Baltimore. These included supporting the Court Navigator Program, an access-to-justice project assisting tenants in legal actions against landlords, and the Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program, a professional development program promoting equitable and inclusive workplaces. Furthermore, she co-chaired the 2018 Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA) annual conference, which explored blind spots in public administration.
Lyndsay holds a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication from James Madison University and a Master of Arts in Legal and Ethical Studies from the University of Baltimore.
Antonio Borrego, D.P.A. '20, is a California native who considers Raleigh, North Carolina home. He earned his
B.S. in Business Management from North Carolina State University (2002) and an M.P.A.
from the University of Oklahoma (2007).
A Marine Corps veteran, Antonio served eleven years on active duty and five years in the reserves, achieving the rank of [Insert Rank Here - if known, e.g., Major]. Commissioned in 2002, he deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 as a strategic planning officer, managing procurement for the Afghan Security Forces. His analysis of the cost to double the force size from 120,000 to 240,000 directly influenced a $20 billion allocation by the U.S. Secretary of Defense and President, contributing to the foundation for the 2011 U.S. troop withdrawal.
During his reserve service, Antonio also worked in human resources for the State of North Carolina, serving in both the Departments of Juvenile Justice and Agriculture. Most recently, he managed manpower needs for the Marine Corps’ Active Reserve Program. His exceptional performance led to his selection for the Naval Postgraduate School, where he earned a master's degree in manpower systems (an econometrics-focused curriculum). Following graduation, he served as the senior reserve manpower plans officer for Reserve Affairs, Headquarters Marine Corps.
Antonio's research interests encompass military manpower, national budget issues, and public policy. He is a member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).
Luiz Octavio Coimbra, D.P.A. '22, is a public policy expert with over 28 years of experience at the Organization of
American States (OAS). His doctoral research, culminating in the dissertation "Conditioning
Factors of AML Implementation in Brazil," analyzes the determinants influencing the
implementation of transnational anti-money laundering (AML) policies in Brazil. Specifically,
his work examines the interplay of U.S. foreign policy, domestic political interests,
and the network of Brazilian judicial, criminal, and public safety agencies.
Dr. Coimbra's extensive career at the OAS includes participation in diverse projects, such as the demobilization of former guerrillas in Central America and the establishment of Violence Observatories in the Caribbean. Since 2020, he has served as the OAS Representative in Belize.
"My time at the University of Baltimore provided an extraordinary learning experience and a stimulating academic environment," says Dr. Coimbra. "I'm deeply grateful to the faculty and my fellow students. My academic background in sociology, a master’s in history, a doctorate (ABT) in public health, coupled with my doctoral studies in Baltimore, has strengthened my ability to understand, analyze, and implement public policies that promote social development. This academic foundation has been invaluable in complementing my extensive experience at the national, regional, and international levels."
Lorena de Leon, B.S. '10, MBA '13, D.P.A. '20, is a seasoned healthcare leader with over 25 years of experience driving clinical
and operational excellence. Her expertise spans program development, strategic planning,
digital health and technology implementation, and affordability/cost savings initiatives.
Currently, she serves as the Senior Director of Population Health and Social Determinants
of Health at Maryland Physicians Care, the third-largest Medicaid managed care organization
in Maryland. Dr. de Leon's career includes leadership roles and impactful initiatives
at prominent organizations such as UnitedHealthcare, Optum, Johns Hopkins, and the
Office of Healthcare Quality. She holds a B.S. in Business Management, an MBA in
Healthcare Management, and a Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A.) from the University
of Baltimore. Further enhancing her expertise, she has earned a Certificate in Value-Based
Care from the University of Houston and is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Stephanie Dolamore, D.P.A. '18 is a public servant, scholar, and disability advocate dedicated to advancing social
equity and disability justice. As a person with disabilities, she is passionate about
fostering inclusion and equality for individuals with disabilities within government
and nonprofit organizations.
Currently, Dr. Dolamore serves as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., where she teaches in the bilingual Master of Public Administration program, utilizing both American Sign Language and English for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. She also contributes to policy and grant projects as a consultant and Director of Policy Initiatives for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, focusing on improving diversity outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Maryland.
Dr. Dolamore's scholarship explores the intersection of social justice, disability justice, and organizational culture within the public sector. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences. She is the lead editor of Organizational Culture and Social Equity: An Experiential Guide (Routledge, 2023). Her doctoral research, utilizing archival materials from the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (1936-2006), examined the relationship between organizational culture artifacts and empathy in public service. A summary of her recent publications is available below.
More information:
Diane Flint, D.P.A. '19, is a dedicated paramedic, EMS instructor, and academic leader. She holds an A.A.
from Carroll Community College, a B.A. in English from the University of Baltimore,
and an M.S. in Emergency Health Services (EHS) with a concentration in Administration,
Policy, and Planning from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Her
doctorate in public administration further enhances her expertise in the field.
Currently, Diane serves as the EHS undergraduate program director, clinical assistant professor of EHS management, and EHS academic advisor at UMBC. She also contributes to paramedic education as adjunct faculty at the Community College of Baltimore County. Her instruction spans basic life support, advanced life support, and critical care disciplines, including pediatric and advanced cardiac life support.
A nationally recognized expert, Diane is a site evaluator for the Committee on Accreditation of EMS Programs (CoAEMSP) and an active member of the National Association of EMS Educators (NAEMSE), where she serves on multiple committees.
Diane's research explores the intersection of EMS and public health, focusing on the impact of policy administration on healthcare cost reduction and the integration of international EMS systems for cost-effective care. Her doctoral dissertation, "The Systemic Impacts of Integrated Mobile Healthcare in a State-Wide Emergency Medical Services System," examined these critical issues.
Ashley Gavin, D.P.A. '20, is a public servant dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children and families. At the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, she leads the first pediatric Medicaid model, translating research into actionable policies. This experience sparked her interest in the interplay between political appointees and administrators in shaping public policy implementation. Her doctoral studies in public administration focus on how governance influences international development, driven by a desire to understand the institutions and norms that guide effective governance.
Ashley's commitment to public service is rooted in her experiences teaching English in a South Korean public school and serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia. These opportunities fostered a nuanced understanding of cultural and linguistic influences on policy issues, inspiring her interest in comparative governance systems. She believes that cross-national studies can provide valuable insights for context-specific problem-solving and strengthen governance globally.
Ashley holds a Master of Public Health in Global Health from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Spanish from Norwich University.
Jasmine Greene, D.P.A. '20, is a dedicated public servant with a passion for ethical leadership and community
impact. While her roots are in South Dakota, her journey has taken her across several
states, building a diverse portfolio of experience in public administration and research.
As an undergraduate at Emporia State University (KS), Jasmine founded and coordinated G.I.V.E. (Getting Involved in Volunteering in Emporia), a community service organization connecting international students with American volunteerism. Managing teams of up to 35 volunteers and overseeing project budgets, she established a program that continues to thrive a decade later.
This experience ignited a passion for public service, leading Jasmine to pursue her Master of Public Administration at Kansas State University, where she was awarded a graduate assistantship and the prestigious Kansas Association of City/County Management Scholarship. During this time, she interned with the City of Manhattan, KS, providing research support for municipal policies and Tax Increment Finance districts. Beyond her studies, Jasmine organized professional panels and contributed to graduate student recruitment.
Following graduation, Jasmine joined South Dakota State University's Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Promoted in under two years, she managed a diverse portfolio, including $2.5M in budgets, the USDA Northern Plains Regional Climate Hub sub-award program, and strategic planning initiatives. She also significantly improved alumni relations, supervised staff, and advised approximately 200 graduate and undergraduate students.
Driven to further her expertise, Jasmine pursued her Doctor of Public Administration, culminating in her D.P.A. '20 degree. During her doctoral studies, she earned a graduate fellowship with the University of Baltimore's Schaefer Center for Public Policy, quickly transitioning to a full-time Research Analyst role. At the Schaefer Center, she provided critical research support, developing and administering surveys, conducting data analysis using advanced qualitative and quantitative methods, managing research projects, and facilitating the Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program.
Jasmine's research interests lie in social and economic justice, urban agriculture, and public policy.
Dylan Hayden, D.P.A. '21, is a Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), working in the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity to ensure equitable housing opportunities for all. His career in public service began with six years in the U.S. Navy as a cryptologist and Naval Aircrewman. During his service, he earned an associate degree in Arabic from the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and was awarded the Air Medal for reconnaissance flight operations in Afghanistan.
Following his military service, Dylan earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government. He then served two years in the administration of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, leading various policy initiatives, including the development of NYPerforms (a statewide performance management system), coordinating a workforce program for recent parolees, and serving on the Regional Economic Development Council assessment team.
Dylan transitioned to the federal government as an Administrative Officer with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at the Palo Alto medical center in California, where he spearheaded the Lean transformation of the prosthetics service, improving workload scheduling and purchasing contract compliance. Since joining HUD in November 2014, he has focused on assisting high-risk and troubled housing authorities to improve their performance.
Dylan's commitment to public service has been recognized with multiple merit scholarships from the University of Baltimore, The Universities at Shady Grove, and the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, as well as the Fels Institutional Service Award. He lives in Towson, Maryland, with his wife, Emily, and their two daughters, Madeline and Eliza.
In his free time, Dylan enjoys flying (he's a certified private pilot), SCUBA diving, and mixology.
Cassandra R. Henson, D.P.A. '16 is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Sciences at Towson University,
where she teaches courses such as Healthcare Ethics and Law, Healthcare Financial
Management, and Healthcare Organization Management. She discovered her passion for
teaching while training clinical and non-financial managers in budget preparation
and financial reporting, and now shares her expertise with students, connecting practical
applications to healthcare policy and related industries. Her research focuses on
local government performance measurement and management, healthcare administration
pedagogy, public administration pedagogy, and health economics.
Dr. Henson's diverse background includes leadership roles in corporate finance, local government, healthcare, and defense contracting. Her specializations encompass financial analysis, budgeting, project management, contract pricing and negotiation, auditing, compliance, and strategic planning. She holds a D.P.A. (2016) from [ Specify University Name if possible ], an MBA in Finance from Morgan State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from West Virginia University.
A dedicated member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) since 2012, Dr. Henson currently serves as President of the ASPA Maryland Chapter, Chair-Elect for the Section on Health and Human Services Administration, and a general member of the Section on Public Administration Education. She regularly conducts and presents research in her areas of expertise.
David Juppe, D.P.A. '11, M.P.A. '88, is a Revenue Analyst with the Prince George's County Office of Management and Budget.
His responsibilities include forecasting county revenues, staffing the Spending Affordability
Committee, overseeing the tax differential process, and coordinating fiscal impact
analyses of proposed legislation. He brings extensive public sector experience to
this role, having served for 30 years with the Maryland General Assembly's Department
of Legislative Services, including 22 years as Operating Budget Manager. In this capacity,
he coordinated the analysis of the Governor's annual budget.
A recognized expert in public budgeting, Dr. Juppe has presented at numerous conferences and co-authored an article published in Public Budgeting and Finance. He served as president of the National Association of Legislative Fiscal Offices and received a Legislative Staff Achievement Award. His international experience includes training the national parliamentary staff in Maputo, Mozambique, on budget analysis and fiscal note preparation. He has also testified before a congressional subcommittee and the Canadian Parliament on Social Impact Bonds, and consulted with the Jordanian Parliament in Amman on improving their national budget review process.
Dr. Juppe holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Towson University, and both a Master of Public Administration and a Doctor of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore. He has also shared his expertise as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Baltimore and Penn State University.
J. Howard "Jim" Kucher, MBA '01, D.P.A. '14, is an Associate Professor of Social Innovation in the Graduate School of the University
of Maryland, Baltimore, where he directs the groundbreaking Master of Science in Health and Social Innovation program. An internationally recognized thought leader in social entrepreneurship,
Prof. Kucher previously led the Baltimore Social Enterprise Collaborative–a program
that was nationally recognized for its innovative curriculum and helped over 60 area
nonprofits develop new models for meeting the needs of their constituents while increasing
the sustainability of their organizations. He has successfully secured over $70m in
working capital on behalf of mission-oriented enterprises and assisted over 100 area
nonprofits and social enterprises in developing new models for meeting the needs of
their constituents while increasing the sustainability of their organizations. Prof.
Kucher earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business
in 2001.
Shermaine Malcolm, B.A. '11, M.A. '13, D.P.A. '23, is a public servant dedicated to promoting free and equitable elections in Maryland. As the Human Resources Director for the State Board of Elections, she plays a key role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Dr. Malcolm's academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Jurisprudence and a Master of Arts in Legal and Ethical Studies, both from the University of Baltimore, culminating in her recent Doctor of Public Administration. Her doctoral research explores the impact of emotional intelligence on job performance within the public sector. Beyond her professional life, Dr. Malcolm contributes to her community as a board member for a non-profit organization. In her leisure time, she enjoys exploring new cultures through travel and culinary experiences.
Jude Mutah, D.P.A. '21, is a program specialist for Africa at the United States Institute of Peace (USIP),
where he collaborates with the West Africa director and Africa center vice president
to develop and implement projects in West and Central Africa, focusing on countries
like Nigeria and Cameroon. He also shares his expertise as an adjunct professor in
the University of Baltimore's School of Public and International Affairs, teaching
courses on global affairs and human security.
A dedicated advocate for peace and security, Dr. Mutah is a Penn Kemble Fellow, a prestigious program sponsored by the National Endowment for Democracy that fosters bipartisan dialogue among emerging foreign policy leaders in Washington, D.C. His experience includes consulting for the International Monetary Fund's legal department and conducting research for the Africa program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Driven by a commitment to empowering youth, Dr. Mutah founded the JM Foundation for Youth Advocacy in 2013. This non-profit organization provides educational and material support to underprivileged young people in Cameroon.
Dr. Mutah's academic credentials include a bachelor's degree in law (LL.B) from the University of Yaoundé, Cameroon; a master's degree in peace and conflict transformation from the University of Basel, Switzerland; a master of laws (LL.M) from the George Washington University Law School; and a doctorate in public administration, concentrating on global affairs and human security, from the University of Baltimore. His doctoral dissertation explored the role of transnational cooperation in counterterrorism, using the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin as a case study. This research offers practical recommendations for institutions, governments, and organizations combating terrorism. His research interests encompass terrorism and counterterrorism, identity politics, governance, and conflict prevention.
Joel Nantais, D.P.A. '22, is dedicated to improving public services through data science. As Operations Director
in the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, he oversees American Citizen
Services and Crisis Management, ensuring the safety and security of U.S. citizens
abroad. This experience has highlighted the critical need for government agencies
to leverage data and machine learning to better serve the public. Joel believes that
streamlining processes, particularly for essential services where the government is
the primary provider, can have a significant impact, even saving lives.
He holds a Master of Science in Public Policy and Analysis from the University of Central Florida, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Graduate Certificate in Data Science from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Joel also volunteers with Code for America and DataKind, applying his data science skills to improve the public sector.
Awa Ndiaye, D.P.A. '20, is a program/project manager at the Social Security Administration within the Enterprise
Program Management Office. Originally from Senegal, West Africa, Awa earned her Baccalauréat
before moving to France to study at universities in Nice and Aix-en-Provence. She
holds an MBA with a concentration in management and a Bachelor of Science in Information
Technology from UMBC. Her doctoral research evaluated the effects of targeted international
policies on indenture as it bears on minority citizens in Baltimore and Senegal.
Awa recently founded AwAction Network Inc., a non-profit organization focused on empowering youth and women. Her background in program administration, management, and IT, combined with her dedication to public service and minority welfare, positions her to lead impactful, evidence-based programs within her community.
Meghan K. Norris, D.P.A. '18, is an experienced Project Manager and Organizational Change Management (OCM) specialist
at Leidos in Bethesda, Maryland. She leads a team managing ten projects for the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). In this role, she oversees the delivery of custom IT software applications
for federal scientific and administrative personnel.
Leveraging the Kotter change management process, Meghan and her team facilitate successful end-user adoption of these new systems. Their approach includes a variety of communication and training methods, such as instructor-led training, over-the-shoulder support, desk-side assistance, user guides, and computer-based videos. They measure adoption and system effectiveness through quantitative surveys and semi-structured interviews.
Meghan holds a MPA from West Virginia University, where her research focused on the impact of leader culture on organizational change initiatives. She also earned a Master's degree in Public Administration and Athletic Coaching Education from West Virginia University and a Bachelor's degree from Wheeling Jesuit University. She is eager to expand her client base and share her expertise in organizational change management and culture with both federal and non-federal organizations.
Soyoung Park, D.P.A. '17, holds a master's in public policy analysis from American University and a bachelor's
in environmental science from Korea University. Her research interests lie in public
budgeting and finance.
She is from Korea. Currently, she works as an assistant professor at Inchon National University in Korea. Before starting the academic job, she worked as a research associate at the Korea Public Financial Information Service, which is an agency affiliated with the Ministry of Strategy and Finance in Korea. Prior to her studies in the United States, she served as a consultant at BearingPoint consulting firm.
Yinglee Tseng, D.P.A. '18, is the founder and chief operating officer of Citizens Power Social Enterprise,
established in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and is an advisor at the Open Knowledge Foundation,
Taiwan Chapter. Tseng also serves as the managing director of Grassroots Diplomacy
Council (GDC), a nonprofit organization registered in Maryland, and is the program
manager at Institute of Taiwan-American Studies (ITAS). Tseng has abundant experience
in strategic management for government, businesses, civil society organizations and
non-profit or non-government organizations internationally. She specialized in managing
political and public participation projects and facilitating international relations
exchanges between Taiwan and the United States. She has devoted herself to grassroots/citizen
participation activities and urged the Taiwanese government to join the Open Government
Partnership (OGP) in 2010.
In addition to her D.P.A., Tseng holds dual master’s degrees in economics and law as well as international trade policy from George Mason University. Tseng is a multi-linguist who speaks English and Japanese fluently as well as her native languages of Mandarin and Taiwanese.
William Ward, D.P.A. '23, came to The University of Baltimore with a Juris Doctorate from Western Michigan
University Cooley Law School and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of
Southern California. Since 2012, William has been a dedicated civil servant for the
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in Washington, D.C., working
extensively in both immigration policy and information technology. Before coming to
Washington, D.C. and UBalt, William had a varied and exciting history. He worked in
Iraq as a senior governance advisor with the U.S. State Department's Provincial Reconstruction
Team in Fallujah, Ramadi, and Baghdad from 2010-2011. Immediately before the U.S.
State Department, William spent a career in the U.S. Army as both a non-commissioned
officer in military intelligence and later as an officer in field artillery. He was
deployed during the surge in Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2007-2009 in Mosul and the
northern Iraqi region of Kurdistan.
William’s research interest involves work he has been doing over the past 20 years: U.S. foreign policy with an emphasis in the Indo-Pacific Asian region, public policy, U.S. immigration policy and organizational leadership.
Cherry L. Wilcoxon, D.P.A. '19, holds a bachelor's degree in computer science from The University of Texas at El
Paso, and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Jacksonville State University.
Cherry is currently a Defense Intelligence Senior Executive and serves as the senior advisor/chief financial officer for the Defense Security Service (DSS). In this capacity, she is the principal advisor to the Director of DSS in financial programming, programming, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and other enterprise-wide financial matters. She directs the financial management activities of the DSS enterprise and provides leadership across the spectrum of agency operations, integrating support elements into the overall mission planning, budgeting, and execution.
Cherry's research interests combine the fields of finance, organizational management and public policy. She plans to use her D.P.A. credentials to influence the advancement of the Department of Defense's efforts toward financial auditability and demonstrate accountability and good stewardship of taxpayer resources.
Sahar Zafar, D.P.A. '17, also holds a master's degree in biotechnology with a concentration in biodefense,
and has over 15 years of experience regulating federal and Department of Defense (DoD)
human subjects research (HSR) policies and HSR operations.
Currently, Sahar is the Director of Science and Technology at Snaplytic, where she provides project management consulting to the Department of Defense (specifically the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA), Federal Government and the Private Sectors in Biotechnology/Biodefense research compliance and regulatory affairs. She provides clinical and medical regulatory compliance in the area of Human Subjects Research (HSR), and has extensive experience in developing policies, guidelines and trainings on compliance and ethical governance of research involving HSR.
She regularly participates as a subject matter expert on Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering Directorate (USD R&E) panels for federal and defense human subjects research policies, ensuring DoD policies are developed at the highest bioethical standards.
Previously, she worked as a human subjects protection scientist at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), where she demonstrated deep knowledge of HSR and DoD policies and their application. Sahar has assisted multiple Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), Headquarters Level Review IRBs, and other domestic and international research ethical committees in obtaining approval and maintaining regulatory compliance for a variety of research activities. Her ethical and regulatory experience is further complimented by her certifications, work experience, and educational background.
Sahar completed her doctoral dissertation in 2017. Sahar has been a member of the Neuroethics Women Leaders since October 2016. She wants to focus on developing and analyzing policies and strategies in the field of research, science, health, and bioethics.
Lauren M. Zyriek, D.P.A. '20, strongly believes that analyzing facts and evidence is the best approach to ensuring
good government. She always strives to be part of the decision-making process to advance ideas and guarantee that forthcoming policies are mindful of the demographics
they serve.
Her career has included representative to the United Nations, specialist at the U.S. Census Bureau, and deputy county clerk in Bergen County, New Jersey, where she had the distinction of being the first Latina in her position. Currently she is employed as the director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the New Jersey Department of State.
Lauren’s research interests are in social equity and ensuring constituents' full participation in the governmental process. Her dissertation focused on the impacts on voter turnout, specifically on voting rights, and voting restriction and expansion legislation.
She also holds a master's degree in administrative science, an Executive Education Certificate in Cybersecurity from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and she is a New Jersey registered municipal clerk.