When Tamara Coger wanted to make a career pivot to work in climate policy, she found the perfect vehicle in Brown University’s Master of Public Affairs (MPA) program. The program provided her with the tools she needed — including a solid grounding in economics and statistics — as well as the flexibility to adapt its curriculum to her specific needs.

The 2026 Watson School student awards, grants and prizes celebrate students pursuing work across the globe and across traditional academic boundaries — through research, internships, language study, public service, honors projects and policy engagement.

The Policy in Action Project — a hands-on work and learning venture — is the capstone to every MPA student’s education at Brown. The MPA Program curates high-profile partnerships with governmental and non-governmental agencies across the country and around the world. The suite of projects also includes several in the Providence and Rhode Island area, allowing MPA students to see the tangible impact of their efforts.

Bryan Joffe realized at a young age that access to a good education was the largest determinant of long-term economic success. A degree from Brown’s Master of Public Affairs has enabled him to fight for a level playing field for those most often shut out of high-quality education throughout his career.

Using the skills developed at the Watson School, Ellie Adair plays the infinite game in her role as chief operating officer at the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review.

Anzhela Kalsynova, a Brown graduate student in public health and public affairs, penned an op-ed arguing that private equity purchase of Rhode Island nursing homes has resulted in a lower standard of care at most facilities.

Minh Hoang plans to leverage the skills he has developed in Brown’s Master of Public Affairs program to make life better in his native Vietnam.

Lifelong Rhode Islander Nicole Nehiley saw the Watson School’s MPA program as the perfect vehicle to help advance her career after working for nearly a decade in philanthropy.

While working as a global relations officer at Brown University, Diana Perdomo chose to take advantage of the University’s Employee Education Program to earn a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree. It was a decision that would accelerate her career growth, leading to impactful positions in government and the nonprofit sector.

Nate Blouin, who earned his Master of Public Affairs (MPA) degree from Brown in 2019, dropped out of his freshman year of college and moved to Utah to ski. He then went on to become the youngest legislator in Utah's State Senate, defeating his opponent with 72% of the vote.