Congratulations, Michelle Meza! #NUF55 #NUF2024 #nationalurbanfellows
Master of Policy Management ('24), Georgetown University | Master of Public Administration ('20), Columbia University-SIPA | Former Biden-Harris White House Appointee at EPA| Ex-Capitol Hill | National Urban Fellow ('24)
This week, I was honored to graduate as a fellow of the National Urban Fellows class of 2024 and Georgetown University Master of Policy Management (MPM)! A fourteen-month leadership accelerator combining 1) in-house work at a social impact organization, 2) a full master’s degree at Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, and 3) dedicated mentorship and programming on equity-centric leadership and social justice, this three-pronged fellowship has changed my life in powerful and irreversible ways. More importantly, it’s taught me to believe in the power of my voice and know that the best things in life are on the other side of our fears. I am forever grateful to those who pushed me to dream bigger and not be afraid to say it. To the National Urban Fellows Program and the McCourt School of Public Policy, whose partnership is transforming entire generational lines. To those who trained me to be comfortable in discomfort, knowing that the best things in life come from life itself challenging our own certainties. To the bold female leaders Lisa Rawlings, PhD and Maria Cancian, who sponsored my dreams and invested in my education, and to the men and women, mentors, McCourt faculty and staff, NUF team, family, new and old friends, without whom this journey wouldn’t have been possible in the first place. To recall a few words I shared next to the phenomenal Jordan C. Haynes, MPM at the closing ceremony of our graduating class: "Class of 2024, we have arrived at our destination." From here, the sky is the limit. 🙌🏼