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We saw both a need and an opportunity
to create partnerships between the
classroom and the community in a
thoughtful way that fit with the
Harris School’s approach to public
policy studies. We knew that the
School’s Mentor Program was
unique among our peer institutions
and was (and still is) a fantastic way
both to provide students with
professional guidance and to bring
such impressive policy professionals
into the Harris School family.
Likewise, we understood the merit
of student team projects, until then
organized through the Dean’s office.
But we also thought there was
room to go further—connecting the
School with even more practitioners
through a Major Speaker Series and
enabling students to hone their skills
and contribute to policy analysis
through group internships and team
practica projects. And while we still
have much room to develop and
improve our programs, I’m excited
about the progress we’ve made.
Between its debut at the fall 2003
Mentor Dinner and January 2006,
the Center has hosted speaker
events with over 3,000 attendees;
created group internships for three
dozen students to work in Chicago,
Chile, Mexico, and Washington, D.C.;
enabled 22 students to practice
their academic policy training under
faculty supervision on projects for a
number of Chicago-area agencies;
administered the School’s first
International Policy Practicum; helped the School launch new partnerships
with universities in Mexico and Chile;
and welcomed almost two dozen new
mentors to the program.
The most rewarding aspect of directing
the Center has been the opportunity to
hear from so many of you—students,
alumni, practitioners—about how these
collaborations have contributed to
your training and work. The diversity
of ideas and experiences I have
been exposed to through the Center
is truly astounding, and I hope that
our partners and participants find
the programs equally enriching.
As an alumna, practitioner, and the
outgoing director, I have been
appreciative of the School’s commitment
to these types of programs
and opportunities. I want to thank
the Harris School, Center staff,
mentors, and other partners for your
enthusiasm and support over the last
three years. I wish you all continued
success and look forward to seeing
the Center grow even further.
For more information on the Center for
Policy Practice and its programs, visit:
harrisschool.uchicago.edu/cpp/.
Eileen McCarthy and her husband are
relocating to Kansas City, where he
recently took a position as a radio news
anchor and host.
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