Meet Penn Hill Group’s Fall interns, Joy Agwu and Chris Bezdedeanu. Joy is a rising Junior majoring in English and minoring in Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame and Chris is a rising senior at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs where he is double majoring in Citizenship & Civic Engagement and Policy Studies, with a focus on education policy. See below to learn more about all that they bring to the Penn Hill Group team!

Why did you decide to spend a semester in DC?

Joy: I was born and raised in the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area, and D.C. has been my favorite place for as long as I can remember. However, returning to this area was not only about revisiting my old stomping grounds. It was more about experiencing the District through fresh eyes as a young adult. Living in D.C. with other young professionals in my cohort has allowed me to appreciate this mecca of culture and history more than ever before. I’ve gotten to experience this area as a tourist, while still possessing a certain level of comfort that comes with years of familiarity.

Chris: Since my freshman year at Syracuse, I always knew that I wanted to spend a semester in DC through our Maxwell in Washington program. Being a student of education policy, I recognized that DC would be a great place to learn more about the Federal policymaking process and expand my professional network in the field of education. In approaching the last year of my undergraduate education, I wanted to take the opportunity to study education policy in a completely different environment and learn firsthand from some of the most experienced key players in this city.

What do you hope to do or learn during this internship?

Joy: I hope to learn more about the intricacies of policy and nonprofit work. Penn Hill works with many interesting organizations, and I’ve enjoyed researching different aspects of education policy for the work that we do. This experience has been incredibly informative for me in so many ways. Every day, I get to listen in on fascinating conversations related to education policy and broaden my perspective on the topic. At the end of the semester, I hope to walk away having an enriched understanding of how organizations create and impact through outreach and advocacy.

Chris: During my time at Penn Hill Group, I am hoping to learn more about the priorities of the many players in higher education. I most recently interned for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, where I gained a lot of experience and became an expert in many of the policy issues that concern players in the K-12 arena at the State level. In applying a slightly different perspective at the Federal level, I am eager to work with a variety on a variety of priorities in higher education and hope to gain experience in areas such as student loan forgiveness, accreditation, and evidence-based research practices. I am also hoping to actively learn how the 2022 midterm elections have already impacted, and will impact, the landscape of education policy in Washington, and ultimately, throughout the country.

What interests you most about education?

Joy: Knowledge is power, and our K-12 public education system is America’s best tool for ensuring that every citizen has access to that power. I’m especially fascinated by how education can act as a tool for equity. I firmly believe that the solution to most, if not all, of our systemic issues lies in education reform. If we can find a way to ensure that each student has the necessary time and resources to dedicate themselves to their learning, we will see a change for the better in the nation.

Chris: Being a native of Massachusetts, there is a rich history surrounding the early days of public education and the way in which it continues to serve so many people today. I have always considered education to be a necessary right that every citizen is therefore entitled to, and this has continued to inform my interest in wanting to learn more about ways in which everyone can equitably take part in the journey of education together. To me, education is one of those policy areas where there will always be something to debate, which I believe makes the work that we do so meaningful and motivating.

What are some of your future goals?

Joy: Overall, I want to dedicate my life towards fostering bipartisan collaboration and improving equity in our nation. I aspire to achieve this mission by getting a law degree and then working at organizations like the Bipartisan Policy Center or the American Civil Liberties Union. After some experience in these organizations, I would love to start a nonprofit advocacy organization that is dedicated to ensuring equitable access to opportunities in the education, health and workforce sectors.

Chris: After I graduate in May, I am planning to either complete an accelerated 4+1 Masters in Public Administration (MPA) program at Syracuse or begin working full-time in Washington, DC or Boston, MA. Whether I eventually end up working in the public or private sector, I know that I ultimately want to pursue a career in education policy and advocacy. I am extremely grateful for the opportunities that Penn Hill Group has already provided me with in charting my path forward, and I am eager to continue making a difference in a field that I truly believe connects all of us together.