MEET KATE WARREN (MPA '15)

Degrees:

• Master of Public Administration, Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs - Cleveland State University
• B.A., Communications, Cleveland State University
• B.A., Religious Studies, Cleveland State University

When did you graduate?
2015

Where are you currently residing?
Cleveland, Ohio

Where are you from?
Elyria, Ohio

Current Employment:
Position: Research Associate
Place of Employment: The Center for Community Solutions
Job Duties: I get to work on a lot of interesting projects. I do consulting work with local nonprofits and agencies to help them build capacity and make data-driven planning decisions. I research health, social, and economic issues to support our public policy priorities, which are mostly focused on health and human services in Ohio. Also, I work on data visualization - making infographics, maps, and fact sheets to help people in the field understand how data impacts their work.

Volunteer experience:
I volunteer in my neighborhood - through the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation. They are doing a lot of great work to make the neighborhood a healthier and more vibrant place to live. I also volunteer on a family homelessness taskforce, where we work to reduce family homelessness and support families who are currently experiencing homelessness in Cleveland.

Why did you decide to attend Levin?
After I finished my undergrad, I was doing direct service work with people in crisis, which was fulfilling, important work. But I began to be interested in the systems that keep people in poverty and cause some of the really heart-wrenching social problems in Cleveland. I decided to get my MPA to increase my understanding of those issues and to grow in my career.

What is your favorite Levin memory?
The Columbus Seminar stands out. I really got to know my classmates, and it was a really immersive experience where we learned how state government works in Ohio. And now, working at an organization that does policy work in Columbus, the things I learned in that course are really relevant. I also feel honored to have taken the seminar with Dr. Vera Vogelsang-Coombs, who was an inspiring public servant.

What piece of advice do you have for current Levin graduate students?
Say yes! When opportunities come up to do an internship, take a grad assistantship, get connected with a mentor, network, listen to a speaker, or any of the other great things that come up, say yes whenever you can. You're only in school for a short amount of time, and Levin is full of opportunities to gain knowledge and connect with the community. Don't let these chances pass you by!

What inspires you about Northeast Ohio? Why?
I think Clevelanders are really resilient. There are so many people here, who have lived through some really hard years in Cleveland, but still want to work hard to make their community better. For all the pessimism we read about Cleveland, I also see a lot of hope.

In your opinion, what is Northeast Ohio’s best kept secret?
The arts and culture here! It's easy to forget that we have world-class art, music, and theater in Cleveland, housed in beautifully restored buildings. And culture is relatively accessible and affordable in Cleveland, when you compare it to other cities. I'm trying to soak in as much of it as possible.