Student/Alumni Highlights

Claire Fleischer '22 is the Director of Outreach for the New York City Department of Investigation's Office of the Inspector General for the NYPD (OIG-NYPD). Her role is to develop specific engagement strategies with individuals, organizations, and groups across all five boroughs to ensure the office engages in meaningful outreach. This includes informing stakeholders about OIG-NYPD's work, learning about issues and areas of public concern, and helping build stronger police-community relations.

Evana Alam was promoted to Deputy Director at the New York City Housing Preservation and Development (NYC HPD). As Deputy Director, Evana is responsible for administering multiple subsidy programs by providing high-level leadership, supervision, and guidance to the staff to administer multiple rent subsidy programs. Evana's key responsibilities include policy, procedure, and technology management to develop and improve the agency's operations.

Margaret Mikulski is actively pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Criminal Justice Policy and Administration. Margaret is a licensed Social Worker in Minnesota, where she dedicates herself to providing mental health services to inmates. Her recent publication delves into the examination of felony murder laws, their implications for youth, and potential reform approaches.

Melissa Brock is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Public Administration, specializing in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration. She is a counselor in a New Jersey adult county correctional facility. Furthermore, Melissa authored an article in the PA Times highlighting obstetric violence, stressing the necessity for well-defined medical and legal standards and achieving justice for victims of abuse in pregnancy and childbirth.

Vanessa Diaz '22 has earned her MPA in Public Policy & Administration with a concentration in Emergency Management. She published an op-ed in the Latino Rebels discussing sponsorship challenges for unaccompanied migrant children, as well as a fact sheet for the Scholars Strategy Network on development of immigration policy for unaccompanied children and minor refugees.

Erik Krause '23 received his MPA in Public Policy and Administration. He aims to shift his career focus to communications strategy and policy analysis for progressive causes in the public sector. In a recent op-ed for City & State New York, Erik emphasizes the need for policies promoting media literacy to combat the increased online harassment faced by women in politics.

Timothy Cowen serves as a captain within the Environmental Health Unit at the NYC Department of Correction. He manages operations and administration of environmental compliance. Timothy's primary duties include assessing the environmental impact of facility operations, contributing to policy development, providing compliance training, overseeing Correction Officers, and suggesting enhancements to environmental operations.

Jessie Contreras '23, serving as an Emergency Management Specialist for FEMA Region 2, embarked on a significant milestone in his career in December 2023. He explored diverse FEMA branches through the Generalist Program, preparing him for a promising future. Jessie has engaged in programs at NYU, Columbia, Kean University, and Pace University, which have broadened his perspective and expanded his skills. During his time at John Jay College, he pioneered the first chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as its inaugural president.