Join the UCR Center for Community Solutions for a webinar exploring how nonprofits across the Inland Empire build civic engagement, strengthen community connections, and create opportunities for residents to get involved. 📅 Thursday, November 5th 3 - 4 p.m. Online via Zoom 🔗 Register today: bit.ly/ccs-nonprofits

Persist 2026 is just weeks away! 🙌 Introducing our keynote speakers: Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, Mayor Jacque Casillas, Dr. Paulette Brown-Hinds & Dr. Cameo Carter. Join us Oct. 26th! Register today: persist.ucr.edu

Don't forget to register to secure your spot!

How can maps and spatial data help solve real-world policy challenges? 🗺️ Join Riverside County for its annual GIS Day, where our very own Professor Wei Kang will be presenting her research. Thursday, November 5th 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. County Administrative Center Board Chambers Register: gis.rivco.org/pages/gisday20…

Congratulations to Dr. Mehdi Nemati on receiving the 2026 APPAM World Citizen Prize in Environmental Performance! 🌎 We’re proud to see his work in environmental economics and policy recognized by @APPAM_DC. The award will be presented next month at the APPAM Membership and Awards Lunch in Boston.

The UCR School of Public Policy is proud to co-host a conversation with @CalMatters on election security in California. Where are Riverside County’s ballots, and how secure are its elections? 📅 Thursday, Sept. 24th | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. 📍 The Cheech, Riverside Register: give.calmatters.org/event/wh…

The annual Persist Women’s Political Engagement Conference is back for its ninth year, ready to inspire women to get engaged in the political sphere through inspirational speakers, panels, and mentor sessions. 📅 Monday, October 26th, 2026 ⏰ 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 📍 UC Riverside, Highlander Union Building, Room 302 ➡️ Register today: myadv.ucr.edu/forms/persist2…

We are ending our 10-year anniversary Faculty Feature series with Dr. Mark Long, Dean of the UCR School of Public Policy! 🏛️ As the School enters its second decade, Dr. Long is focused on strengthening our national reputation, expanding opportunities for students to engage with policymakers, and increasing the reach and impact of faculty research. Read the full feature here: spp10years.ucr.edu/faculty-f…

Congratulations to MPP alumnus Jesse Melgar '17 on his appointment as Vice President of Government Affairs at The California Endowment (@CalEndow)! 👏 In this newly created leadership role, Jesse will have an important voice in guiding regional investments and advancing health equity in communities across California. We're proud to see our alumni making an impact on our region and beyond!

Our second faculty feature of the summer is Dr. Ken Baerenklau! A founding faculty member of the UCR School of Public Policy, Dr. Baerenklau's research focuses on water resource economics and policy, helping develop evidence-based solutions to environmental challenges. Read more about Dr. Baerenklau: spp10years.ucr.edu/faculty-f… #UCRSPP #WaterPolicy #PublicPolicy #UCR

Our first faculty feature of the summer is Dr. Kevin Esterling! Dr. Esterling researches how AI can strengthen civic engagement, improve communication between researchers and policymakers, and encourage more informed public dialogue. Learn more about his work ⬇️ spp10years.ucr.edu/faculty-f… #UCRSPP #UCR #PublicPolicy #AI

🌟 Congratulations to our July Alumni Spotlight, Jessica Barriga (MPP '20)! As Senior Economic Development Policy Advisor for the Office of Mayor Matt Mahan, Jessica is helping shape policies that support a vibrant and prosperous San Jose while putting community priorities first.

Our next faculty feature is Distinguished Professor of Public Policy, Dr. Bruce Link! Dr. Link is widely recognized for his contributions to sociology, public health, and psychiatric epidemiology, with research focusing on health inequalities, social stigma and mental illness, and the relationship between mental illness and violent behaviors. 🧠📚 In 2026, Dr. Link became the first professor from the UCR School of Public Policy to receive the UCR Faculty Research Lecturer Award, recognizing his distinguished record in research. He was also named to Clarivate Analytics’ Highly Cited Researchers list for the tenth consecutive year. 🏆 #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #10YearAnniversary #Celebrating10Years

Our first faculty feature is Professor of Public Policy and Associate Dean and Chair, Dr. Richard Carpiano! Dr. Carpiano is widely recognized for his work in public health policy, with research focusing on vaccine hesitancy, increasing vaccine uptake, and strengthening preparedness for future pandemics. 🌎🩺 He also co-chairs The Lancet Commission on "US Societal Resilience in a Global Pandemic Age," bringing together international experts to identify ways to build stronger and more resilient communities in the face of future public health threats. 📚 Swipe through the images to learn more about Dr. Carpiano’s research, leadership, and impact!  #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #10YearAnniversary #Celebrating10Years

During his time at the School of Public Policy, Bryan Ho (B.A. Public Policy '18) developed the communication, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building skills that continue to help him in his professional role. Today, he works with hospitals across the country to navigate healthcare policy and reimbursement changes while improving patient quality and experience through analytical insights. Bryan is inspired by the next generation of public policy leaders and believes that even local efforts by students can create a lasting impact for their communities and future generations. We’re proud of Bryan and his contributions to advancing healthcare through public policy! 🩺

Goodbyes are always so difficult but we’re grateful for the memories we shared. 💙 Congratulations to the Class of 2026! ✨ We are so proud of you and excited to see what you will accomplish! See your best friend or classmate? Leave a comment to help us congratulate the new graduates! 🎓 Find all the pictures from Commencement on our Facebook page. #UCR #SPP #PublicPolicy #MPP #Graduation

On June 14th, the School of Public Policy held an End-of-the-Year Celebration to mark the conclusion of our milestone 10-Year Anniversary! 🎓✨ We had the honor of recognizing the Class of 2026, our scholarship recipients, and our graduating Dean’s Ambassadors and student assistants at this event. Congratulations to all the honorees! 🎊 A special thank you to our keynote speaker, Dr. Andrew Light, and our incredible student speakers, Katie Chau (BA '26) and Niloofar Shoja Razavi (MPP '26) for their remarks. #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #SPP10Years

Our End-of-Year Celebration is happening in less than two weeks! Join us as we celebrate the graduating class of 2026, scholarship recipients, and our 10-year anniversary. Register by Monday, June 8th so you don’t miss out! Register Here ➡️myadv.ucr.edu/forms/spp-end-…

Bruce Link, Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and Sociology, has been named the 2026 UCR Faculty Research Lecturer! This is the highest honor that the Academic Senate bestows to a faculty member with an exceptional record of scholarly research and achievement. 📚 Professor Link is also the first School of Public Policy professor to receive this award and will be giving a lecture to commemorate the award during the next academic year. Congratulations Professor Link! 👏 #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #Award #Congratulations #Research

Thank you to former Ambassador and now Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy, Barbara Bodine for taking the time to sit down with us for an upcoming episode of Policy Chats, our student-run podcast! Prior to joining Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, she spent over 30 years in the U.S Foreign Service improving Arabian Peninsula and greater Persian Gulf issues. She held many positions during her time in Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq and the USS Cole crisis, including Deputy Principle Officer during the Iran-Iraq war, Deputy Chief of Mission during the Iraqi invasion, the Senior State Department Official in Iraq, and many more. 💼 ➡️ Stay on the look out for this episode’s release! #UCRSPP #SPP #SchoolofPublicPolicy #UCRSchoolofPublicPolicy #UCR #PolicyChats #Spotify #Podcast #InternationalRelations #Government #USAmbassador #ForeignService