On September 3, 2019, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program sponsored a Women in Politics, Policy, and Administration roundtable where current students, alumni, faculty, and friends of the program gathered to celebrate the successes and to hear about the challenges overcome by prominent MPA alumnae.

The evening began with networking over hors d’oeuvresand complimentary drinks, followed by a roundtable discussion and audience Q&A. Department of Political Science Professor Emeritus Maureen Moakley, a frequent radio contributor and authority on local Rhode Island politics, moderated the roundtable. Prior to the roundtable, Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea delivered remarks to an audience of 75 guests and introduced Rhode Island Deputy Secretary of State Melissa Husband (’10), Former Bristol Town Administrator and Board of Elections Chairwoman Diane Mederos (’00), and Founding Executive Director of Alliance of Rhode Island Southeast Asians for Education (ARISE) Chanda Womack (’16).

Guests were treated to a wide ranging discussion that revealed insights from our panelists about work-life balance, developing mentoring and support relationships with future women leaders, and how an MPA degree facilitated the career and leadership ambitions of program alumnae.