Today’s #StudentSpotlight is Juan Ramirez!
What brought you to the City College of New York and to the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership?
I am a native New Yorker and a neighbor to CCNY. I moved to the area two years ago and grew up in the shadow of Columbia University about twenty blocks south. I knew of CCNY and I experienced the grit of the students when they demonstrated on campus in 2024. Their commitment to social justice was important to me as I have been working for in nonprofit for almost twenty years. I was inspired to explore a Master’s program. The day after I began to read about CCNY, I received an email from City College to explore the possibility of the MPA. I was hooked.
What advice would you give to future or prospective MPA students?
My advice would be to pace yourself. You have to really evaluate what you want to do and how you want to do it. There will be pressure, but that will come and go. Sometimes, you need a few weeks before you hit your rhythm.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the MPA community?
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my classmates and understanding more about their journeys. The cohort is diverse and spans the graduation years for 2025, 2026, and 2027. The program feels curated and focused on student success.
What inspired you to pursue an MPA?
I have always seen education as the key to success. As a recent college graduate, I dreamt about going on to get my Master’s in either Business or Public Administration. It took me a while to hit my rhythms at work and learn what kind of professional I wanted to be. By the time I wanted to return, the pandemic happened and everything changed. Only now did I feel comfortable enough to consider an advanced degree, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to be in this space.
What has been your favorite class or professor so far, and why?
I don’t believe I have a favorite professor or class to date. The overall experience has allowed me to begin to apply theory to the nonprofit work I have been handling since I started my career in 2007. I have learned on the job and learning in a structured setting has been truly transformative.
What are your plans or hopes after graduation?
I look forward to really changing how I approach my work. I want to further professionalize my work and really apply theory to practice. Over the course of my career, I have really appreciated the opportunity to serve communities of people who have been marginalized and underserved through my administrative practice. I’m excite to continue doing that work with the academic credentials to bring it to the next level.
Ready to lead change in public service? Explore the MPA Program at the Colin Powell School:
🔗 colinpowellschool.ccny.cuny.edu/graduate-programs/master-of-public-administration-mpa
