Dec 18, 2014

Networking Social with the Heller School


On November 11, AmeriCorps Alums Connecticut welcomed representatives from Brandeis University’s Heller School of Social Policy and Management to the greatest small city in America, New Haven. There, the Heller School shared their goal of “preparing the next generation of policy analysts, managers, public leaders and scholars to tackle society’s most pressing social problems” with over 30 alumni and current members.

Attendees had the opportunity to listen to the “two Michaels” - MPP program direct Michael Doonan and MBA assistant director Michael Appell, as well as AmeriCorps alums who are now current students of the programs and our very own chapter leader Tina Lindstrom who gave her perspective as a licensed clinical social worker with the VA. Perhaps the greatest bit of advice for the night came from VISTA alum and current MPP/MBA student Dan McConvey, who told the crowd that the most important thing is to be “friendly and helpful and listen to people.”

Representatives from the Heller School MPP program talk
with alums and current members after the panel.

In addition to offering incredible programs, the Heller School honors AmeriCorps service via a 50% tuition discount and additional incentives for alumni who matriculate. One of the top ten schools for social policy in the U.S., 36% of their new students come from national service programs. The Heller School also boast at least one alum whose name most AmeriCorps alums will recognize - Ed Segal, the first CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service under President Clinton and eponymous hero of the end-of-service educational award.

The night was made possible through partnerships with the CNCS state office and AmeriCorps program directors. We were also fortunate to receive support from the Study at Yale, which provided the space to us at no-cost and ensured that there was plenty of delicious food for all.
Know someone who would like to speak to our network of over 300 alumni? Have someone who you would like to hear from? Share your thoughts with us on future networking social topics at connecticut@americorpsalums.org!