Master of Public Policy students share their senior capstone research projects
April 21, 2025 - Karessa Weir
From “The Black Detroit Wealth Heist” to the “Brain Drain Dilemma in Ghana,” Master of Public Policy graduating students presented their capstone research projects at this year’s MPP Forum.
The 14 students set to receive their MA degrees next month spent their final semesters on individualized research projects based on public policies that interested them. Under the direction of MPP Director Dr. Sarah Reckhow, they created research posters and explained their methods and findings into a packed room in the MSU Union April 17.
Among the problems students sought to solve were access to mental health, disability assistance in Michigan, congestion pricing in Chicago, and the burden of administration of Medicare.
“This is for our graduating students who have finished the coursework in the program, and they’re about to graduate. They have produced these original projects on topics of their choosing,” Dr. Reckhow said. “All the topics are dealing with important, policy relevant topics and this showcases the skills they’ve been learning as part of the program.”
This is first in-person forum that has been held for MPP graduates since COVID-19.
MPP is a two year graduate-level program in quantitative analysis, program development, policy implementation, public finance and policy evaluation. Students who complete the program go on to have successful professional careers in policy analysis, program management, and policy advocacy in public, private and non-profit sectors.
Applications are currently open for the incoming class of MPP students. To learn more, click here. To learn how to apply, click here.
Video of presentations
Photos of presenters
Richard G. Adjadeh "Leaving or Staying: Brain Drain Dilemma in Ghana"
Liz Armstrong "A Deep Dive into Michigan's State Disability Assistance program (SDA): A Program that Rejects its Own Constituents
Abigail Bies "It Can't Just be Money": Unspent ESSERII Funds in Michigan School Districts
Benjamine Bischoff "Model Surveillance Technology Policy for Detroit"
Avery Cook "Investing in the Future: Increasing Civic Engagement in Postsecondary Schools"
LiChail Gaines "Give Me Medicaid or Give Me Death: Analysis and Recommendation on the Administrative Burden of Medicaid"
Nick Hess "American Hikikomori: The Socially Isolated World of Economically Detatched Young Men"
Peyton Klochack "Passing 'Baby Bonds' in Michigan in the 103rd Legislature"
Dale Kruithoff "Michigan Local Governments are Increasingly Raising Revenue from Special Assessments"
Reese McLellan "Trapped in the Fine Print: How U.S. Terms & Conditions Undermine Privacy and Consumer Rights"
"Congestion Pricing in Chicago? Higher Speeds, Less Noise, Lower Emissions"
Morrigan Potter "Breaking Barriers: Navigating the Road to Universal Pre-K in Michigan"
Katie von Steinman "Michigan Youth Are Not Okay: Barriers to Mental Health Access"
Rahsun Watson "The Black Detroit Wealth Heist"