Lael Gerhart '03
ACCION Academy (Achievement, Consciousness, Community, Integrity, Opportunity Now)
The most important outcome of my CUSP experience in New York City was understanding that, despite challenges, community-based positive action can and does change people's understanding of what they are capable of and how their community is perceived.
Jonathan Meer '03
New York City Council - Gale Brewer
The most important outcome of my CUSP experience in New York City was that I learned how law and public policy come together. My experience with the NYC Council - Technology in Government Committee was amazing.
Lyscha Marcynyszyn '03
Manpower Research Demonstration Corporation
The practical experience that I gained as a Cornell Urban Scholars graduate fellow has been and continues to be invaluable to my own research on competent child development in the context of poverty. Working at a New York City policy-oriented think tank allowed me to gain first-hand knowledge about how to fund, implement, and study large-scale interventions for low-income parents and their children. As I near the defense of my Ph.D., I am planning to work in New York City as a research associate serving this same population. Undoubtedly, my eight-week experience as a CUSP graduate fellow, which led to a seven-month internship at the same organization, provided a wealth of practical experience, which serves me as I start my career post Ph.D.
