The Master of Arts in Policy Studies program defines itself as a community of people who believe policy can make a difference. Students engage in the academic pursuit of policy solutions in arenas, such as: environment, labor, education, health, human rights, technology, and local and state government.
Read about our dynamic Policy Studies graduate students, their educational backgrounds, and research interests.
2011 Cohort
Jonathan Boyette
Undergraduate Institution: Florida State University, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Philosophy, Minor in French
Research Interests: Special Educational, Environmental, and International Policy; The role of social media in promoting societal change; The intersection of human rights/environmental policy.
A Florida native, Jonathan has worked as a teacher for three years, first as an English teacher in Charente-Maritime, France then as a clinician at Families for Effective Autism Treatment of Washington. He is pursuing policy studies as an avenue for transforming idealism into action, and is looking forward to meeting/working with other policy students.
Nate Brown
Undergraduate Institution: Washington State University, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Neuroscience with minor in Psychology
Research Interests: Public Health and Education reform
Snapshot: Nate is interested in researching the intersections of race, class, and gender within the realms of mental health, education, and criminal justice. He enjoys reading, hiking, snowboarding, and time with his partner Kaelyn.
Bob Congleton
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2001
Undergraduate Degree: Conservation of Wildland Resources
Research Interests: Conservation, Water Policy Issues, Education
Snapshot: Bob is a native Washingtonian from Spokane, WA. He has a love of the outdoors, which stems from living near the Cascades and the Puget Sound. Other interests include music/bass-playing, hiking and Kentucky spirits. He is looking forward to acquiring new skills that will benfit our community.
Shaila Davis
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences: Global Studies with a Minor in Human Rights
Research Interests: Education, Nutrition and / or food
Snapshot: As an AmeriCorps VISTA Shaila works for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County as their Resource Development Associate. Shaila also serves on the board of WAEYC (Washington Association of Education for Young Children), where she hopes to learn how a state organization is advocating for development in early education. She enjoys walking her corgi, Eliza, and hanging out with friends outdoors and reading classic novels.
Megan Dunn
Undergraduate Institution: University of Rochester, New York, 1998
Undergraduate Degree: Biology, Geology
Research Interests: Social Justice and Environmental Policy
Snapshot: Megan lives in Everett with her family; she works as a postpartum doula. Once she equated parenting to the evolutionary theory of ‘punctuated equilibrium,’ she knew it was time to head back to school.
Jung Lee
Undergraduate Institution: Ewha Woman's University, Seoul, South Korea, 2002
Undergraduate Degree: Special Education
Research Interests: Human Rights in developing countries, Global Poverty, and International Development.
Snapshot: Jung is interested in how neoliberalism affects various policies in the U.S. and developing countries. She is very excited to start her journey in the MAPS program at UW Bothell. She loves to spend her time reading and walking. Other times, you can find her having fun with her two children somewhere in beautiful Redmond.
Jason Malinowski
Undergraduate Institution: New York University, 2003
Undergraduate Degree: Economics and Mathematics
Research Interests: Tax policy, education policy, regulatory policy
Snapshot: Jason currently works in the private sector for a financial company. He has always been keenly interested in public policy and is excited to broaden his knowledge about policy analysis in the program.
Alison McNee
Undergraduate Institution: Pepperdine University, 1998
Undergraduate Degree: International Studies, Minor in Spanish
Graduate Institution: San Diego State University, 2002
Graduate Degree: Latin American Studies
Research interests: Immigration, social justice, education, equity, human rights
Snapshot: Alison is currently a high school Spanish teacher and has been involved in academic research and teaching at the university level since college. She is interested in complementing theoretical knowledge with practical policy know-how to create change.
Michael Ng
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2011
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Global Studies
Research interests: Global economic development, Local Government/Planning, Non-governmental organization, Cultural diversity.
Snapshot: Michael had a lot of questions about global issues after he finished secondary school in Hong Kong and England. He is looking forward to seeking answers with his new classmates very soon.
Andrew Nguyen
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2011
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Community Psychology
Research Interests: Subsidized housing programs, higher education governance and finance, technology transfer, and energy
Snapshot: Andrew served as an orientation coordinator and resident assistant for UW Bothell’s student life program. He has participated in undergraduate research projects in order to gain experience in quantitative data analysis, interviewing, participant observation, and literature review. Andrew hopes to produce useable data and methodologies through a significant research project that will open doors to job opportunities or preparation for PhD candidacy.
Emily Olson
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Tacoma, 2010
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Studies: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. Minor: Environmental Studies.
Research Interests: Women's rights, environmental policy, civil rights, state government
Snapshot: Emily's background in the Washington State Legislature, campaign work, and a nonprofit company has molded her interest in environmental and women's advocacy policy. She enjoys travel, research, and the Discovery Channel.
Rachel Phillips
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2011
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Studies, focus in Conservation, Biology, and Sustainability
Research Interests: Conversation of biodiversity in urban development policies, ecological awareness on private, city and state urban development.
Snapshot: Rachel is a passionate environmentalist and conservationist who is ecstatic about using her time at UWB in the MAPS program to further her goals in conservation of biodiversity in the urban development world. Her focus will be on Native Growth Protection Areas in developments, and what those areas are actually doing ecologically. She loves to read, write, hike, and generally be outside.
Meghan Wright
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2010
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Studies: Global Studies
Research Interests: International Aid & Development, Human Rights, Civil Liberties, and Environmental Sustainability.
Snapshot: Meghan currently works in Accounting for a Commercial Development Company in Bellevue. She plans to use the MAPS program to build on the education gained in her undergrad studies with hopes to transition her career to work for a non-profit organization with an international outreach program. In her free time she enjoys running, and being with her family and friends.
2010 Cohort
Michael Barta
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2010
Undergraduate Degree: Comparative History of Ideas
Research Interests: Transnational policy governance in the E&IT accessibility space
Snapshot: Michael is a native of Seattle though he was conceived in Berkeley in the sixties. He has a varied background between US Intelligence, Music Promotion, Accessibility standards, and whatnot. Most recently Michael has spent a decade and a half at a little software company in Redmond. His goal in this program is to develop some ideas on how to further the state of E&IT Accessibility.
Kristopher Dane
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2009
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science
Research Interests: International Security Studies, International Drug Policy, European Integration, Northern Ireland
Snapshot: Kris currently works for a structural engineering firm in Seattle. He plans on using the MAPS program as a springboard into a career in federal law enforcement. When he's not working or going to school, Kris can be found on his bicycle, reading, or wandering around Home Depot in search of his next home project.
Dylan D'Entremont
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2003
Undergraduate Degree: Business Administration, emphasis in Management
Research Interests: Education, Laws and Enforcement, Environmental Policy and Conservation
Snapshot: Dylan is a US Navy veteran with experience as an administrator and volunteer coordinator. He has interests in a variety of fields and looks forward to a career in the public sector.
Kiley Faherty
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Undergraduate Institution: The Unversity of Vermont, 2006
Undergraduate Degree: English, minor in Community Development & Applied Economics
Research Interests: Environmental Policy, Climate, and Sustainability
Snapshot: Kiley currently works for an environmental consulting firm that focuses on climate, sustainability, and waste and materials management. She would love to explore the relationship between environmental policy and climate change. Kiley enjoys biking, photography, traveling and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Dylan.
Ashley Hamilton
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science, Philosophy
Research Interests: Theoretical application; Historical evidence versus theoretical influence on policy development and implementation; and
Snapshot: Ashley believes the relationship between policy and law is necessary to create effective, directed change and development. She intends to use her background in policy studies to pursue a legal career specifically in legal research.
Isaac Harrison
Undergraduate Institution: Washington State University, 2005
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science
Graduate Institution: University of Saint Thomas School of Law (MN), 2010
Research Interests: Social Justice and Social Equality, Criminal Justice Reform, Legal Research, Civil Liberties, Economic and Political Philosophy, Labor Studies, and Ecological Sustainability
Snapshot: Isaac is interested in community relations, and the reform of social policy to reflect the needs of vulnerable communities. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of St Thomas Law in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A Texas native, Isaac has lived in the Pacific Northwest for a total of 7 years. He enjoys politics, hiking, gardening, reading,
Christophe Jamot
Undergraduate Institution: University of Versailles, France, 2006
Undergraduate Degree: English and Sociology
Research Interests: Urban poverty, social justice, racial and economic inequality. International and domestic immigration policy
Snapshot: Chris first came to Seattle after getting his BA in France. He taught French at UW and always wanted to go to graduate school in the US. He is very excited about the opportunity to work with like-minded students. Christiophe hopes to explore some of the venues available to policy students outside of academia and will then decide whether he wants to get a PhD.
Julianna Mandler
Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz, 2007
Undergraduate Degree: Environmental Studies
Research Interests: Environmental policy, Water policy, Water conservation/sustainability, Local government planning
Snapshot: Julianna is interested in water conservation policies (inception, implementation, and enforcement) and learning easy ways for people to incorporate conservation into their daily lives. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding, knitting, cooking, and running.
Paula Matano
Undergraduate Institution: University of Oregon, 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science, Spanish
Research Interests: Education Reform, Social Development, International Development
Snapshot: Interested in creating programs for low-income and immigrant families to have better access to higher education and career oriented paths. Also is dedicated to the development of social welfare and creating international bridges within the educative system.
B J Myers
Undergraduate Institution: Seattle Pacific University, 2008
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science
Research Interests: Relationships between crime, poverty, and education. Urban planning and development
Snapshot: BJ has worked in a variety of areas during and after college; including the Air Force, bar tending, and Christian ministry. BJ and his wife live in Ballard and enjoy traveling, reading, and dining out.
Vy Nguyen
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington, 2005
Undergraduate Degree: Political Science, minor in Law, Societies and Justice
Research Interests: Capacity building and community development, transportation & sustainable development, urban planning & policy, social-justice based activism
Snapshot: Vy, as a former Peace Corps Azerbaijan Volunteer and intern for U.S. Reps. Jim McDermott and Jay Inslee, is interested in community development and sustainability in policy making and urban planning. A Pacific Northwest native, she cites Seattle as a source of constant personal and professional inspiration, a “beautiful, vibrant, multi-cultural city with possibility and lots of amazing coffee!”
Cynthia Reese
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2000
Undergraduate Degree: Business Administration, concentrations in Finance & Marketing
Research Interests: Public procurement processes for consultant services
Snapshot: Cynthia is interested in figuring out how public managers perceive the public procurement process and researching what information they regard as representative of qualified consultants. When she is not researching public procurement, she enjoys biking, yoga, reading, cooking, crafts, and spending time doing just about anything with her husband and children
Timothy Ruppell
Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2010
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Science Technology and the Environment, with a Minor in Policy Studies
Research Interests: Behavioral Economics, Education Policy, Civil Liberties, Social versus Economic Freedoms, Positive versus Negative Freedom, Cognitive Science and Linguistics, Environmental/Geo Engineering, General Psychology and Philosophy Studies, Labor Relations, GBLT Issues, and general Biology
Snapshot: Tim enjoys classes in just about every topic! He's especially eager to understand how people really think, and rejects the classical view of rationality underpinning our economic and political lives. Though interested in myriad topics, he found his minor in Policy Studies to be a wonderful fit, and hopes to continue his education enthusiastically through the MAPS program.
Continuing Students
Jenelle Van Eynde
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Undergraduate Institution: University of Washington Bothell, 2004
Undergraduate Degree: Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences: Cultural, Literature and the Arts
Research Interests: Global water and sanitation development, foreign aid policy and tracking, generational poverty and low-income policy.
Snapshot: Jenelle is a Program Assistant at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, working in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Program (as part of Global Development). Prior to her work at the Foundation, she worked as an Executive Assistant for a company based in Ghana.