"Working in renewable resources is important to me because it's the future - there's no way to move forward without sustainable policy. And sustainable policy must include the three E's of sustainability: Equity, Environmental impact, and Economic opportunities. If we aren't considering these three things when we’re creating policy, we’re not building for the future."
~(MPP) Student Tricia Foster '21, '22G (expected) — Lancaster, NH
Past positions: New Student Programing & Orientation Coordinator, UNH; Business Manager, Campus Living Association
Carsey Degree: Master in Public Policy (MPP)
UNH Undergraduate Degree: Bachelor of Science, Community and Environmental Planning, with minors in Environmental Conservation and Sustainability
Collegiate Award: Student Leadership Award for Philanthropy Event of the Year, Half Naked Whole Mile at UNH
Why did you choose the Community & Environmental Planning program at UNH and what attracted you to the Master in Public Policy (MPP) program at Carsey?
I chose the Community and Environmental Planning program at UNH because I was interested in the environmental aspect of planning, and I wanted to advocate for sustainable development. As I learned more about environmental advocacy and sustainable development, I realized it intersected with other areas of equity and I knew I wanted to expand further.
During my undergraduate experience, I took a few classes on environmental policy and realized that policy was a way to advocate for the environment. The MPP program at Carsey seemed like an amazing opportunity to learn about and pursue even more career paths in a broader field of equity and inclusion advocacy.
Why is working in sustainability and renewable resources important to you?
Working in renewable resources is important to me because it's the future. There's no way to move forward without sustainable policy. And sustainable policy must include the three E's of sustainability: Equity, Environmental impact, and Economic opportunities. If we aren't considering these three things when we’re creating policy, we’re not building for the future.
Patricia Foster with members of her Master in Public Policy cohort with David Dixon
How do you hope to leverage your undergraduate and graduate training at UNH toward your future career?
What I've learned and what I'm continuing to learn through the communications courses at Carsey will prepare me to effectively communicate ideas for sustainable policy. There are a lot of great ideas out there aimed at making the world a better place. However, there is often difficulty in communicating those ideas to the public. Clear, effective communication is essential to any field of work – but especially important in conveying good policy and how it can help others.
I’ve also appreciated the opportunity to learn from industry experts, like Kristin Grimm and Erin Hart from Spitfire Strategies during our semester-long course. Additionally, I’ve loved getting more insights from people such as David Dixon during the D.C. Colloquium this past January, and I look forward to learning more about communication skills and strategies.
What are some fields you hope to work in?
I plan to stay in the field of higher education because I have a passion for working with students. However, in the years to come, I would love the opportunity to work in either the political communications field or in advocacy communications. In my undergraduate program, I learned about social marketing – i.e. communications with the aim of changing behavior. The popular Texas anti-littering campaign slogan "Don't mess with Texas" is a great example. The slogan has taken on a life of its own while also helping to decrease the amount of litter in the state.
What aspect(s) of the MPP program have you enjoyed most?
I have enjoyed the entire MPP program so far! In each class, I’m learning something new and receiving the opportunity to sharpen my skills. All our professors have been industry experts and have shared their experiences with us in class and their knowledge and experience is incredibly valuable. In addition to my professors' experiences, industry professionals and experts are brought in to speak with us about their respective fields. For example, in my media strategies course, Professor Mike Nikitas is an Emmy nominated former TV news anchor. It’s incredibly insightful and valuable hearing how these guest speakers and our faculty instructors ended up in their roles as my classmates and I gear up to join the professional world.
The DC Colloquium was an unforgettable experience. Although wildly busy, it was an experience that is irreplaceable. Professor Michael Ettlinger showed us around D.C. with the help of Carsey Policy Analyst Libby Schwaner. We met with an array of people from all sorts of different media and policy fields. I most enjoyed our meeting with David Dixon ’86, partner with the Dixon/Davis Media Group, LLC, and Faiz Shakir, former campaign manager for Bernie Sanders 2020 presidential campaign and executive director of the nonprofit More Perfect Union. Both David and Faiz work in or have worked in career fields that I could see myself pursing someday.
Finally, I have sincerely enjoyed getting to know all the members of my MPP cohort. They're all spectacular people inside and outside the classroom and I can't wait to see what we do next.
