Public Policy Alumni Hear Update on School and Celebrate CEU’s 25th

There were lots of hugs, and some introductions when dozens of public policy alumni gathered for the SPP Alumni Coffeehouse on May 6. Although many alumni who attended the event live and work in Budapest, others flew in from London, Riga, Brussels, Geneva, and New York, and from countries as far away as Afghanistan and Canada to participate. The Coffeehouse kicked off a weekend dedicated to celebrating CEU's 25th Anniversary Alumni Reunion. Alumni unable to travel to Budapest took advantage of video technology to connect to the event, with Jeff Mills and Pratik Phadkule (both MPA '15) dialing in from India!

In her welcoming remarks, SPP Director of Career Services and Alumni Relations Ann Gagliardi shared data on where public policy alumni live and work. She noted that alumni are active in the non-profit, public, multilateral, and private sectors all over the world. Gagliardi went on to point out that alumni are having an impact not just through their professional work, but through their commitments to social causes, as well.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Julia Buxton spoke briefly about recent activities at the School to integrate academic programs and curricula. She said that the School had become stronger and more diverse with the addition of the students, faculty, and staff who had been a part of the Department of Public Policy. Buxton thanked public policy alumni for their active participation and strong support for SPP.

"It was a wonderful event," said Gagliardi. "I was especially pleased to see so many alumni from all three public policy programs."

A photo album of the Coffeehouse is available on SPP's Facebook page here.