APPAM/Rockefeller College Public Policy Camp

Location: Husted Lobby

Location: Husted 106A

Why Public Service/Public Policy Matters 

• Julie Novkov, Dean, Rockefeller College 
• Luis Luna-Reyes, Professor and Chair of Public Administration and Policy 
• Leslie Ofori, Director of Programs and Conferences, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) 

Location: Husted 106A

Getting the Skills and Knowledge for the Career You Want

•  Jaclyn Napoleon, Director of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, Rockefeller College 

Location: Husted 106A

• Ashley Dwyer, Director of Internships and Career Services, Rockefeller College 

Location: Husted Café

Location: Husted 106A

Why Having Diverse Perspectives Matters: The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Public Policy and Management  
 

Alfredo Balarin BA ’03, MS ’04, Director of EOP and Student Life, Camous Judicial Officer, Hudson Valley Community College 

Alfredo D. Balarin was born in New York City to Peruvian immigrant parents and he moved to the Capital District to attend college. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and his master’s degree in education administration from the State University at Albany. He currently works at Hudson Valley Community College as Director of EOP and Student Life and Campus Judicial Officer. Mr. Balarin was selected to join the inaugural class of Fellows at SUNY's Hispanic Leadership Institute which is charged with developing and supporting the next generation of executive-level Hispanic/LatinX leaders across the SUNY system. Mr. Balarin’ commitment to youth development has been a part of his career from day one and he continues to be an advocate for families within his community.

Alfredo has lived in the City of Albany for almost 20 years. He was a founding member of the Midtown Neighborhood Watch in 2005 and served as part of the leadership team for the Beverwyck Neighborhood Association from 2013-2017.  In November of 2017, Mr. Balarin was the first Latino elected to the City of Albany Common Council. He is currently serving on the Finance, Assessment and Taxation Committee, Public Safety Committee and is Chair of the Planning, Economic Development & Land Use Committee. Alfredo still lives with his wife, son, and dog in the Beverwyck neighborhood.
 

Kimberly Lyons BA ’02, MPA ’04, VP-Product Manager, Moody’s 

Kimberly Lyons is currently Vice President-Product Manager at Moody’s Investors Service in the US Public Finance Group where she is a senior member of the Local Government Ratings Team. Prior to (re)joining Moody’s she was SVP-Head of Municipal Credit Risk at Dexia Credit Local. In addition to her professional role she also serves as co-president of Northeast Women in Public Finance (NEWPF), which provides mentoring, career development, educational and networking opportunities for women in the public finance industry.

Kimberly has been honored with the “40 under Forty” Achievement Award, presented by The Network Journal (TNJ). The award recognizes young African-Americans who have proven to be exceptional performers in their industry and committed contributors to the development of their community. She has also been honored with the Distinguished Young Alumna in Public Administration and Policy from her alma mater Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany and in 2016 was named to the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs Alumni Advisory Board. 

Kimberly graduated from the University at Albany, State University of New York with a bachelor’s degree in sociology (2002) and received a Master of Public Administration from the University at Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy (2004).  
 

Nic Rangel BA ’06, MPA ’11, Executive Director, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York 

Nic completed her Juris Doctorate at Albany Law School and her Master’s degree in Public Administration at Rockefeller College for Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany.

She left her position as the Second Deputy Counsel to the New York State Senate Majority, Office of Counsel and Program to join LASNNY in December 2022. Prior to joining the Senate, Nic was the first Pro Bono Fellow at Albany Law School. She was an educator and student advocate prior to attending law school. She also has a background in fundraising and non-profit management. Nic is the co-founder of the Center for Community Insight, a non-profit that provides poverty simulation training.  

Nic has served on several non-profit Boards of Directors. She currently sits on the Advisory Board for the Government Law Center at Albany Law School, the Advisory Board for Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy at the University at Albany, and the Board of Directors for the University at Albany Alumni Association. Nic serves on the New York State Attorney Admissions Committee on Character and Fitness for the Third Judicial District Appellate Division. 

Nic is a Region II Deputy for the Hispanic National Bar Association and leads the National Lawyers Guild Chapter for the Capital Region. She is also a member of the Capital District Black & Hispanic Bar Association, the Capital District Women's Bar Association, the NYS Bar Association, and the Albany County Bar Association.
 

Moderated by:  

Nancy Hernandez BA ’94, Deputy Comptroller for Diversity Management, Office of the NYS Comptroller 

Nancy Hernandez was appointed Deputy Comptroller for the Division of Diversity Management by Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli in April 2012.  Nancy oversees the Office of the State Comptroller's affirmative action, diversity management, and equal employment opportunity programs, including ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and human rights laws. She is also responsible for outreach, recruitment and facilitating programs to establish a fair and fully inclusive and diverse workplace. Nancy is a spokesperson and representative for the Comptroller at many functions and training events, promoting his initiatives and strategic priorities on diversity, equity, and inclusion.    

Nancy was the first Hispanic Councilwoman and Deputy Supervisor elected official and vote-getter to hold office in the Town of Colonie in Albany, NY. She held other EEO and M/WBE leadership positions at several New York State agencies including having oversight of nine (9) Workforce Development offices and their apprenticeship programs for Department of Labor.  Nancy also served one term as the M/WBE Chairperson for the NYS Affirmative Action Advisory Council.

Prior to the above, Nancy operated a real estate business; and taught Spanish at a local Christian school. She received her Master of Public Administration from Marist College and her Bachelor of Art from the University at Albany.

Location: Husted Café

Location: Husted 2nd Floor Classrooms

Students divide into groups to work on a real-world challenge.  

• Pathways to Achieving Universal Health Coverage in New York State – Ashley Fox 
• The Promise and Pitfalls of Using Incentives to Reform Public Education – Lucy Sorensen
• Tracking Students with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tags – Ramon Gil-Garcia
• Understanding Policy Conflicts: Indigenous Rights, Oil Development and Wilderness Protection in Alaska’s North Slope – Jennifer Dodge
• Understanding U.S. Federal Deficit and Debt: Challenges and Solutions – Gang Chen

Location: Husted 106A

Regroup, Informal Presentations on Group Exercise

Location: Husted Café

Meet Rockefeller College faculty, current students, and staff.