Title:Craig Newmark Veterans Scholarship Fund

In May 2021 the McCourt School announced the creation of the Craig Newmark Veterans Scholarship Fund, with a goal of removing financial hurdles for active-duty servicemen and women, veterans, and military-connected students who wish to train for a public policy career.

The donor, Craig Newmark, rose to national prominence after founding “craigslist” in 1995. In 2015, he set up Craig Newmark Philanthropies to contribute to the common good and promote American values of fairness, opportunity, and respect. Supporting veterans and their families is a priority of his philanthropy.

As evidenced by craigslist, Newmark believes in making connections between people. Craig Newmark Philanthropies supports a similar public policy program at the University of San Francisco plus such organizations as Blue Star Families, VetsInTech, and the Bob Woodward Foundation.

“I’m drawn to the Jesuit principle of ‘people for others,’” shares Newmark. “Veterans also believe in service, in commitment. They’ve sacrificed a lot for our country and I’d like to do what I can to help them advance their careers in public service.”

For many years, Newmark worked for veteran service organizations in the United States, including a year-long project at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. He wants to stand up for veterans and broaden the impact the veteran community has in public service.

“Veterans offer valuable insights in so many policy areas given their experiences. They bring new perspectives and solutions for the tough policy challenges facing so many people, especially the veteran community,” says Newmark. “They are people of conscience and we need their voices in the public policy arena.”

The donor was also drawn to some of the important data analytics work being done at McCourt. Because policymaking requires an increased use of data science and evidence-based research, McCourt students study computer science, statistics, economics, and political science in a holistic way.

“There’s too much misinformation in the news. To attract clicks and raise money, problems are often exaggerated,” he says. “I’m pleased to see that the McCourt program focuses on data science and analytics.”

The new current-use fund will eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for five Craig Newmark Scholars and support military-connected students who pursue unpaid internships by providing funding to support their living expenses. It will also expand the work of the Civil-Military Association, a McCourt School student organization, by offering dedicated resources for events, outreach, and other needs related to the military-connected community.

The McCourt School has identified five scholars for the inaugural year:

• Born and raised in Southern Minnesota, Shyla Alam (MPP’22) received her B.A. while completing her tour of duty in Kuwait. During her time at McCourt, she hopes to focus on migration, environmental, and social policy while learning how to interpret data and use evidence-based research to become a better policymaker.
• Lauren Augustine (MPM ’22) is a first-generation college graduate who flew unmanned aerial vehicles for the Army’s First Infantry Division in Kansas and Iraq after graduation. She then spent nearly a decade in the government affairs world advocating on behalf of veterans and their families.
• After graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 2015 and completing flight school in 2017, Sarah Blake (MPM’22) moved to San Diego, California, for her first sea tour as a MH-60R helicopter pilot. Soon after, Blake landed a job as a Senate liaison for the Navy’s Office of Legislative Affairs. At McCourt, she hopes to learn how to apply an evidence-based approach to solving the nation’s biggest problems.
• Shortly after earning his undergraduate degree, Samuel Grantz (MIDP’23) was deployed as an infantry squad leader with the Marine Corps Reserves to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Upon returning to the U.S., Grantz took a position with Chemonics International forecasting and managing a malaria medicine supply chain. It was through this work and his travels abroad that he found his passion for international development work.
• Thor Manson (MIDP ’23) is an Army veteran from Wisconsin. He hopes to bolster and develop his analytical and development policy knowledge while pursuing a degree in International Development Policy.

The McCourt School is currently home to several dozen military-connected students, including approximately 20 active-duty U.S. Army Officers participating in the Joint Chiefs of Staff Internship program.

The Craig Newmark Scholars Fund focuses on this important community, easing their financial stress, enriching their experience at the McCourt School, and helping pave the way for new careers in public policy.