New York Building Congress and New York University Launch New Fellowship to Expand Research and Advocacy Programs
Published on Feb 15, 2018 by
NEW YORK – The New York Building Congress and New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service have partnered to launch a new Fellowship in Urban Policy and Planning. The Fellowship Program places NYU Wagner graduate students into part-time employment with the New York Building Congress. This is the first Fellowship of its kind with the New York Building Congress and NYU.
“This Fellowship Program unites two of the premier civic leadership groups in New York City, and we are thrilled to be partnering with an honorable institution like NYU,” said Building Congress President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura. “Working together with our Fellow, we’re excited to expand our research and advocacy work on behalf of our members and the building industry as a whole.”
The Fellowship Programs offers graduate students the opportunity to gain effective research and communications experience on important policy issues affecting New York City’s built environment. Fellows will research and write about the New York City design, construction, and real estate industry and its key policy priorities, and assist in drafting testimony and other policy statements including press releases, media advisories, and op-eds.
“What could be more fitting than the Building Congress and NYU—two entities that proudly bear ‘New York’ in their very names—partnering in this innovative way to draw closer together the thinkers and the doers of urban planning,” said Lynne Brown, NYU’s Senior Vice President for University Relations and Public Affairs.
The Fellowship is open to graduate students pursing their master’s degree in public administration, public policy, or urban planning at NYU Wagner. Combining their graduate work with the Building Congress’ ongoing research, Fellows will help refine industry positions for improved planning and development strategies for the City. Through the Fellowship, students will become more familiar with and communicate on important public policy and legislation related to one of the City’s most important industries.
“As a broad-based membership organization, The New York Building Congress frames critical issues of economic and infrastructure investment, jobs creation, and professional exchange. As a graduate school of public administration, NYU Wagner instills the next generation of leaders of the public, nonprofit, and private sectors with relevant, up-to-date knowledge, skills, and experience,” said Sherry Glied, Dean of NYU Wagner. “The two institutions are a natural match as cities work to understand and address the most pressing challenges of the 21st century.”
Graduate student Sam Bernstein has been named the inaugural recipient of the Fellowship in Urban Policy and Planning. Sam, a New York City native, is pursuing his Masters of Urban Planning degree at NYU Wagner.
About New York Building Congress
The New York Building Congress is a membership coalition of business, labor, association and government organizations promoting the design, construction and real estate industry in New York City.
About Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service prepares public service leaders to translate ideas into actions that have an effective and lasting impact on the public good. Our faculty’s research changes the way people frame, understand, and act on important public issues. We provide our students with critical skills, access to all that New York City has to offer, and a deep understanding of context surrounding public service challenges—which they use to improve cities and communities across the globe.
