Samantha Domingues Lambourne ’25

Degree: B.S. in Public Policy

Samantha Domingues Lambourne, the first student to graduate from the Brooks School with a B.S. in public policy, came to Cornell from Orlando, Florida, eager to study how data-driven solutions and hands-on learning could address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

At Brooks, her curiosity and drive to gain professional experience led her to pursue a wide range of opportunities: studying abroad, completing a two-year internship at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., engaging in multiple policy-focused learning projects, and working as a teaching assistant. “I loved being able to dive deep into different policy areas—from international law and democracy promotion to emerging technologies and housing insecurity,” Lambourne said. “Even if a topic was new or challenging, dedicating time to it helped me ask better questions and invite more voices into the conversation.”

One of her most memorable experiences came during her senior fall, when she joined a class focused on environmental issues. “I had no prior background in this area,” she said. Through conversations with farmers and Indigenous leaders in North and South Dakota, she learned how corporations, environmental challenges, and federal policies shaped daily life in the region. Drawing on those insights, her group crafted a proposal aimed at reducing waste, incentivizing clean energy, and strengthening regional circular economies. They presented their recommendations directly to congressional staffers in Washington, D.C.

For Lambourne, the Brooks School community was equally transformative. “Everyone—from peers to faculty to staff—was incredibly supportive. It feels like a small family within the larger Cornell community, one that genuinely cares about students’ goals and works to open doors.”

Moving forward, Lambourne plans to pursue a law degree.