Making Policy Personal: Courtney Braun MPA ’25

June 18, 2026

Courtney Braun MPA '25

Courtney Braun came to the Brooks School from Richmond, Texas, by way of her Minnesota roots, to pursue a Master of Public Administration. As a first-generation college graduate and low-income student, she found a community of peers who shared her commitment to shaping policy through lived experience.

“I am passionate about public administration because I understand what it’s like to be on the receiving end of policies that create unintended consequences,” Braun said. “I have experienced food insecurity and homelessness first-hand, and I really understand the value of education and the power of understanding state and local policies.”

Her time at Brooks gave her the opportunity to put those values into action. As a project coordinator with the Enfield Food Distribution Center, she gained insight into the challenges nonprofits face in navigating funding and partnerships. At the State Policy Advocacy Clinic, she explored government dynamics and policy implementation in greater depth, and through her internship at the State University of New York Chancellor’s Office, she strengthened her skills in policy development and evaluation. “Through these experiences, I stepped into the character I had always envisioned for myself—even when no one believed in me other than myself,” she said.

Partnering with the Enfield Food Distribution Center

The Brooks School community, she added, was essential to her growth. “The school’s emphasis on collaboration and support created an environment where I could learn and thrive,” Braun said. “The mentorship of faculty and staff, along with the opportunity to work alongside peers, helped me overcome imposter syndrome and find my place.”

After graduation, Braun plans to serve in the New York State Excelsior Service Fellowship Program at the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, with the long-term goal of advocating for underrepresented communities in decision-making spaces.