MPA Alumni and Student News

Sandrine Espie (‘11) started a nonprofit organization: Muses - Conscious Fashion Studio. She is at the early stage of project development conducting a market study, field research, and interviews with different stakeholders. Muses helps refugee women resettled in Seattle exercise their passion for sewing and craftsmanship, while also helping local manufacturers and designers meet their ambitions of creating locally made and high quality garments. Through conscious fashion movement and collaborative initiatives with designers and manufacturers, Muses will raise funds to help finance critical needs expressed by seamstresses engaged in this project (e.g. ESL classes, literacy classes, and more)! Visit http://musesseattle.wordpress.com/ 

 
Mary Mulholland (’12) was hired as a fiscal analyst at the Office of Program Research, which provides nonpartisan staff support to the Washington State House of Representatives. In this position, Mary provides members of the House Ways and Means Committee with research and analysis to assist in the development of legislative budget proposals. Mary’s assignment area includes the Department of Commerce, Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration, and Department of Labor and Industries, among other state agencies.

Robin Yim (’13) received a scholarship to attend "Civil Discourse to Resolve Governmental Crises," October 10th through the 11th at the Urban Horticulture Center, University of Washington. Robin is thankful for the opportunity to attend such a relevant conference that addressed local and national civil discourse and governance. The conference included key Washington state leaders – Dan Evans, former U.S. Senator and Governor, William D. Ruckelshaus, Former EPA Administrator and Deputy Attorney General, Sam Reed, Secretary of State, and many other civic leaders. Joy Liechty (‘15) also attended the conference.
 
Robin reports that she attended the Washington Policy Center’s Annual Dinner, thanks to a sponsorship by Martin Selig. She enjoyed hearing from keynote speakers: Scott Rasmussen, a nationally renowned pollster, and Daniel Hannan, a member of the European Parliament. Robin will attend the Economic Opportunity Institute’s Fundraising Dinner with keynote speaker, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell on November 16th!  Robin is especially grateful for the networking and engagement opportunities provided by Seattle U's Institute of Public Service and faculty.

Ashley Plaga (’14) started a new position as the Administrative Assistant for SkillUp Washington.  SkillUp Washington is a funding collaborative that brings together public, private, and philanthropic funders of adult workforce education and training to support the needs of low-income working adults and increase employer access to a qualified workforce. Their mission is to help establish training and educational pathways, so low-skilled adults can earn credentials and move up the career ladder.

Sarah Swihart (’15) was a guest blogger for the YWCA to address the question: "Why does child care matter?" The blog was a series of five posts to evaluate the importance of child care and early learning. Visit http://firesteelwa.org/blog/open/title/why-child-care-matters-series-summary.