Numerous Batten graduates enter public service careers and work across a variety of government sectors. While many go to Washington D.C. to work on Capitol Hill, some choose a different path in state or local government, making huge differences all the same. The Batten Admissions team sat down with one of our amazing public servant alums, Alyssa Candelmo (Accelerated MPP ‘22). Hailing from Union City, New Jersey and a veteran of the US Navy, Alyssa joined the Batten School in 2020 while completing her undergraduate degree in Foreign Affairs and a minor in Psychology from UVA. Following her time at Batten, she joined the nonprofit Character Lab that supported scientific insights to help kids thrive before earning the prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship and completing rotations with the US Senate Committee on Finance and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). Today, she serves as a Program Analyst for Congressional Affairs at the HHS-OIG. Get to know more about Alyssa below!
Why did you choose Batten?
- As a second-generation American and first-generation college graduate, I am all too familiar with some of tough policy challenges Batten is committed to solving. I have always wanted to be a problem solver and change maker for my community. I was particularly drawn to Batten’s values and Batten’s multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving with an emphasis on ethics.
How would you describe the Batten community?
- When I think of the Batten community, Toni Morrison’s quote easily comes to mind, “If you have power, then your job is to empower somebody else.” All of my friends from Batten are passionately serving their communities, enacting positive change, and empowering the folks around them.
How were you able to explore your policy interests while at Batten?
- I was very interested in equity policy and intersectionality. I took an elective at Batten that focused on identity politics, and it was one of the most impactful courses I got to experience at Batten. It provided real-life examples of how your identity shapes your American experience and the ways we can solve inequities that are rooted in racism, classism, sexism, and all the other -isms used to disenfranchise communities.
What’s one way the MPP helped you grow personally or professionally?
- Batten’s quantitative courses really humbled me with how difficult they were. In hindsight, they taught me how gritty I am because despite the challenge seeming impossible to overcome, I did it!
Similarly, how did Batten prepare you for your first role after graduating or your current role? What skills and experiences at Batten set you up for success?
- The way Batten taught me to dissect a problem has been extremely helpful in my current role. A few other skills that have been beneficial are time management (meeting various deadlines for multiple projects), concise writing (memos and one-pagers), and reading comprehension (quickly breaking down legislative text into its key points).
What course or academic experience was a highlight of your time at Batten?
- Professor Holbein’s class on Politics and Public Policy! It was always timely, engaging, and informative. He set me up the best to step into my career ready to rock.
Beyond academics, what are some other memories that stand out from your time at Batten?
- I was honored to receive a Pilot Award when graduating Batten [an award given to five graduating MPP students who demonstrate leadership, impact, and service within the greater university and policy communities]. It was an unexpected treasure. I was working during the award ceremony, so my friends videotaped the ceremony and brought my award to me at work. It was a very special, unforgettable experience for me.
What piece of advice would you give to a student considering Batten?
- Everyone can be a leader. Batten will unlock that superpower in you. And you will impact everyone you meet with your power.
