Student Spotlight: Rebecca Lordan
MPP Candidate, 2012
March 3, 2012
"Everyone is scared of what I do," Rebecca Lordan says with a smile.
A second-year MPP candidate at the Harris School of Public Policy, Rebecca originally came to the University of Chicago to study science and environmental policy. However, she says the interdisciplinary nature of her coursework led her to believe she needed more statistical and economic skills to achieve her ultimate ambition: influencing global nuclear policy.
"Right now, there's a real deficiency of people with scientific and policy backgrounds commenting on science and policy, especially as it relates to nuclear energy," says Rebecca. "The Harris School has given me the credentials I need to join the conversation in a very real and meaningful way."
Though she feels her focus on nuclear policy makes her somewhat unique among her peers, Rebecca does seem a typical Harris student in that she exhibits a deep passion for her work. Rebecca is scheduled to spend this summer at the United Nations working on nuclear test ban policy. After that, she says she may follow her MPP with a Ph.D.
When discussing her growth as a student, Rebecca credits Harris staff and faculty with opening doors that allowed her access to resources necessary to excel in her field.
"If you're looking for handholding and a static course experience, then Harris is not for you," explains Rebecca. "But if you're a motivated person who wants to be the captain of your own destiny, then everyone at Harris is here to help you. When you get an idea for a site visit or a line of inquiry, the faculty and staff here will use all their connections to help make it possible."
Rebecca emphasizes that, at Harris, the campus doesn't end at the edge of the university grounds.
"This city has so many resources, and everyone at Harris is here to ensure you get the most out of them," says Rebecca. "From the Argonne National Laboratory to internships with policy agencies around the city, Harris leverages its relationships to give students hands-on experiences they could never find otherwise. It's something really special."
Ultimately, Rebecca says she might like to work for a global nuclear policy entity like the International Atomic Energy Agency. She credits Harris for making this goal a real possibility...and also for challenging her to think in new ways.
"I'm trying to put the pieces of economics, politics, and science together," Rebecca says. "I can't think of a place better than Harris for doing that. When I got here, I used to think in absolutes. I hesitate to do that any longer. Over the last two years, I've learned that—at least in policy—one idea is not always correct."
--Scott Kenemore
