Each year, approximately 55 students begin their studies in one of our two master's programs. Whether M.A. or M.P.P., most students come to Tufts seeking to deepen their theoretical understanding and strengthen their practical skills. Students come from all regions of the United States and increasingly, from several different countries around the world.
Although we admit a few applicants to the M.A. program directly out of college, students most often have had several years of relevant work experience, either during or — more often — subsequent to college. The average age of recent entering classes has been 26, but typically ranges from 22 to 50. We strive for a class that represents diversity in race, ethnicity, and socio-economic background. Students' undergraduate studies range from anthropology to zoology and all points between. They have worked in public agencies and nonprofit organizations and as teachers, journalists, Peace Corps volunteers, and research assistants. Their experience includes a broad range of public advocacy, political, and health and human service activities. Our students bring a diverse set of experiences and skills to the program and serve as a rich resource of knowledge for one another.
The M.P.P. is designed for individuals with at least seven years of significant, relevant professional experience who are interested in expanding their knowledge of public policy within urban, social, and environmental domains -- or across these domains, such as programs and policies related to the development of sustainable communities. This degree program offers students the opportunity to strengthen their critical thinking, policy analysis, and communication skills; improve their professional practice in areas such as mediation, land use planning, or financial management; and establish close professional relationships and networks among faculty, affiliated agencies, and other students.
Deborah Durant
Previous EducationB.A., Child Development and Community Health, Minor in Africa and the New World, Tufts University, 2004.
Field(s) of Study
UEP/Child Development Program,
Urban Policy
Experience Before UEP
Program Coordinator, Nia Project (a high school mentoring and tutoring program focusing on Black and Latino students), Somerville, MA.
Jumpstart Corpsmember, focused on early childhood literacy, Brighton, MA.
Intern, Latin American Health Institute, Boston, MA.
Eric Chilton
Previous EducationB.S., Civil Engineering, Tufts University, 1997.
Field(s) of Study
Water quality management,
Native American issues
Experience Before UEP
Field Engineer and Project Manager, Turner Construction, Boston, MA.
High school science and math teacher, Northbridge and Cambridge, MA.
Janet Curtis
M.P.P., Tufts University, 2006Previous EducationM.A., Landscape Design, The Conway School, 2000.
B.A., Political Science, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 1990.
Field(s) of Study
M.P.P. Student
Environmental Justice
Experience Before UEP
Development Officer,
UVM's Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources.
Director, Land Trust Program
The Trust for Public Land - Western Region.
Development/Public Affairs Associate, Peninsula Open Space Trust.
Current Job
EJ/Urban Environments Policy Coordinator, MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Kimberly Lucas
M.A., Tufts University, 2007Previous EducationB.A., Psychology/Sociology, University of California-Los Angeles, 2004.
Field(s) of Study
Child and Family Social Policy
Experience Before UEP
Chief of Staff, UCLA External Vice President's Office, Los Angeles, CA
Caregiver, UCLA Infant Development Program, Los Angeles, CA.
Current Job
Research Assistant at Educational Development Center, Newton, MA.
Lauren Baumann
M.A., Tufts University, 2006Previous EducationB.S., Biology, Cornell University, 2002.
Field(s) of Study
Sustainable Communities
Sustainable Development
Experience Before UEP
UC Berkeley Campus Organizer, California Public Interest Research Group.
Junior Chemist, Estée Lauder.
Research Intern, USDA Plant Protection Research Unit.
Current Job
Vice President, New Ecology, Cambridge MA.
Martina Bouey
M.P.P., Tufts University, 2006Previous EducationB.S., Economics and Business, Hendrix College, 1995.
Field(s) of Study
M.P.P. Student
Urban and Social Policy
Experience Before UEP
Program Manager, Center for Women & Enterprise.
Director of Administration, Hunt Alternatives.
Volunteer Court Mediator, Massachusetts Summary Processes.
Current Job
Senior Development Officer, South Africa Partners, Inc., Boston MA.
Meenakshi Jacob
M.A., Tufts University, 2007Previous EducationB.A., Sociology and African American Studies, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 1998.
Field(s) of Study
Sustainable Development
Experience Before UEP
Project Manager, Urban Edge Housing Corporation, Roxbury, MA.
Corporate Projects Manager, Hands On Atlanta, Atlanta, GA.
Project Assistant, Fundacion ProVivienda, San Jose, Costa Rica.
Current Job
Senior Planner, Fort Point Associates, Inc., Boston, MA.
Meghan Henry
M.A., Tufts University, 2006Previous EducationB.A., Sociology and English, University of Florida.
Field(s) of Study
Urban and Social Policy
Experience Before UEP
Researcher, U.S. News and World Report.
Tutor for homeless and at-risk children, Wasington D.C.
Intern, National Low Income Housing Coalition.
Current Job
Research Associate, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Washington DC.
Melanie N. Spencer
M.A., Tufts University, 2007Previous EducationB.A., Political Science, Tufts University, 2004.
Field(s) of Study
Urban and Social Policy
Experience Before UEP
Intern/Project Manager, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development, New York, NY.
Intern, Office of Human Diversity,City of Medford, Medford, MA.
Overseas missionary team member, Students International, Jarabocoa, Dominican Republic.
Current Job
Planner, Environmental Group, Parsons Brinckerhoff, New York.
Sam Bell
M.A., Tufts University, 2006Previous EducationB. Environmental Design, Planning, University of Colorado-Boulder, 1998.
Field(s) of Study
Social and Environmental Policy
Experience Before UEP
Director of Special Projects, Downtown Durham, Inc.
Clinical Research Coordinator, Duke Clinical Research Institute.
Current Job
Map Modernization Program Specialist, Mitigation Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Boston MA.
Sinan Seyhun
M.A., Tufts University, 2006Previous EducationB.S., Mechanical Engineering, Bogazici University, Bebek, Instanbul, 2004.
Field(s) of Study
Environmental Policy
Energy Policy
Experience Before UEP
Manufacturing Intern, Cimtas Pipe Fabrication and Trading Ltd. Co.
Vice-President and Climbing Instructor, Bogazici University Mountaineering Society.
Volunteer worker, Builders for Peace, Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Ayana Dilday
M.A., Tufts University, 2003Previous EducationB.A., Sociology, Smith College, 1998.
Field(s) of Study
Urban and Social Policy
Experience Before UEP
Intern, Planning Department, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
Recruiting and Training Specialist, The B.E.L.L. Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts.
Executive Assistant, The B.E.L.L. Foundation, Boston, Massachusetts.
Current Job
Housing and Homeless Specialist, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Boston MA.
Cyndi Veit
M.A., Tufts University, 2006Previous EducationB.A., Environmental Politics and Humanities, Prescott College, 1996.
Field(s) of Study
Dual degree with UEP and Civil and Environmental Engineering with a concentration in environmental health
Experience Before UEP
Travel Agent, Council Travel.
International Project Coordinator, Peace Corps, Poland.
Environmental Education Coordinator, AmeriCorps.
Current Job
EPA New England.
Gary Van Deurse
Previous EducationB.A., English, Framingham State College, 1995.
Field(s) of Study
Urban and Social Policy
Experience Before UEP
AmeriCorps*VISTA, Northern Kentucky Adult Reading Program.
AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader, American Red Cross of Greater Chicago.
Placement Officer, Corporation for National Service.
Jessica Sprajcer
M.A., Tufts University, 2003Previous EducationB.A., Zoology, Ohio Wesleyan University, 2000.
Field(s) of Study
Urban and Social Policy
Experience Before UEP
Field instructor, Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center.
Camp instructor, Gorman heritage Farm.
Field research intern, University of Georgia.
Current Job
Pennsylvania Management Associate Program.
Robin Taylor
M.A., Tufts University, 2003Previous EducationB.S., Engineering Physics with a minor in Public Affairs, Colorado School of Mines, 1999.
Field(s) of Study
International Environmental Policy
Sustainable Development
Experience Before UEP
US Peace Corps Volunteer as secondary high school teacher and head of science department, Independent Samoa.
Current JobFoundations for Sustainable Development, Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Sarah Jackson
M.A., Tufts University, 2003Previous EducationB.S.J., Journalism, Northwestern University, 1997.
Field(s) of Study
Social Welfare
Child and Family Policy
Experience Before UEP
Case manager, Children's Advocacy Clinic, Domestic Violence Courthouse, Chicago, IL.
Community educator, Southwest Women Working Together, Chicago, IL.
VISTA volunteer with Women in Community Service/ Job Corps, Chicago, IL.
Current Job
Researcher, Program on Human and Community Development, MacArthur Foundation, Chicago Illinois.
Michael Lozano
M.A., Tufts University, 2005Previous EducationBachelor of Architecture, Architecture, Cornell University, 2001.
Field(s) of Study
Affordable Housing Development
Smart Growth/Sustainable Development
Transportation
Experience Before UEP
Assistant project manager, The Jones Payne Group, an architecture and planning firm focused on residential noise and environmental abatement.
Current Job
Director of Real Estate Development, Elmwood Neighborhood Services, Providence, RI.
Jeff Meyer
Previous EducationA.A. Liberal Arts, North Dakota State College of Science, 1996.
B.A., political science, Colorado State University, 2000.
Field(s) of Study
Assessment technician/specialist, Larimer County, Colorado.
Experience Before UEP
Congressional intern, United States Senator Kent Conrad.