Students, faculty, and alumni from the Master of Applied Politics & Policy (MAAPP) program gathered at the Annual MAAPP @ the Cap event on March 30.
Public officials and alumni generously shared their experiences and advice with current students, many of whom are set to graduate in the spring.
“Our annual MAAPP celebration gives students the opportunity to connect with alumni who have set the standard for excellence in Florida politics,” MAAPP Director Bradley Kile, Ph.D., said. “Beyond networking to find a political job, our alumni teach the students what it takes to thrive in the political arena. Through these connections with alumni, students find the inspiration and confidence to set their own career path.”
The celebration started with a lunch reception at FSU’s Jim Moran Building in Downtown Tallahassee.
State Representative and College of Social Sciences and Public Policy Alumnus Dan Daley delivered the keynote address. He spoke about the legislation he’s worked on to advance school safety, how he found his calling in public service, and how his education at Florida State University helped shape his career.
“There’s no place else in the state you can get the hands-on experience and relationship building as you get right here in Tallahassee being a student at FSU,” he said.
Rep. Daley graduated from FSU with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Criminology in 2010 then went on to earn his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University.
MAAPP student Nicole Duque was also honored with the Gene and Julie Moran Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a student in the MAAPP program who demonstrates academic success and a desire for civic engagement.
Following lunch, students walked down the street to the Florida Capitol, where they heard from public officials, industry professionals, and MAAPP alumni.
Among the speakers were Leon County Commissioner Brian Welch and MAAPP alumna and former Press Secretary at the Florida Senate Majority Office Kinley Morgan.
At the end of the day-long celebration, students and alumni went back to the Jim Moran Building for a networking social.
To watch the activities from the event, click here.
MAAPP is a top national master’s program for applied learning in several political fields, including campaigns, fundraising, political communications, lobbying, legislative affairs, and more.
The program’s 500+ alumni are some of today’s top political professionals in the Florida and Washington, D.C., political arenas.
For more information about the program, click here.
