News

Nara Sandberg

On October 15, 2026 Nara Sandberg, who is an MPA alumna, joined my students in the Public and Nonprofit Management I core course (PAF 9120) for a conversation and for an experiential learning opportunity. First, Nara shared why she decided to pursue an MPA at the Marxe School and how she juggled her degree studies and work commitments. Then the students learned about her new role as the Director of Strategic Enrollment and Outreach at the Summit School in Nyack, including how she has utilized her MPA to structure this newly created position. The school provides specialized educational and residential programs for students facing emotional and behavioral challenges.

After this conversation, Nara posed two scenarios focused on “defining success without baseline metrics” and the “referral landscape and outreach targets.” This was a win-win opportunity. For the students, they benefitted from learning from a real-time case with positive implications for Summit School students. For Nara, she gained valuable viewpoints from my talented students, who are practitioners.

Nara said, “It was a pleasure to return to the PAF9120 and meet current students. The students' questions and insights were helpful and brought fresh perspectives to my work, and I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from the students and share how my MPA has shaped my work.”

The students appreciated her practical and insightful talk as they are considering how to use their degree studies in different public and nonprofit organizations.

Citymeals on Wheels

On October 14, 2026 I was happy to volunteer at the Cardella Senior Center in Ridgewood, Queens. I joined the Citymeals on Wheels team, as part of its new Fresh Connections Program, to assemble and distribute bags of food, including produce, to senior citizens.

In the picture, I am with Abigail Perry, Manager of Volunteer Engagement (center) and Katie Barth, Director of Program Initiatives and Evaluation.

I encourage you to join the team by sending a message to Abigail: aperry@citymeals.org.

Ruksana Ruhee

On September 15, 2026 “Professor” Ruksana Ruhee made a presentation about her research project, from the Fall 2025 semester, focused on how a nonprofit organization’s identity as a Muslim-serving institution affected its fundraising. This presentation was for students in my Public and Nonprofit Management I core course (PAF 9120). Ruksana is a dual-degree student in the BS in Public Affairs and the Accelerated MPA programs at the Marxe School.

This assignment, which students are responsible for completing in the Fall 2026 semester, involves focusing on one management problem in an organization, crafting a research question, using theory to scrutinize the problem, performing research, and developing recommendations with an action plan.

Ruksana said, “I am deeply honored to be blessed with Professor Neil’s guidance for this course. I learned so many invaluable frameworks that transformed my understanding of organizational leadership, strategy, and equity in the nonprofit sector that I can carry on with me as I continue to do this work. As a public servant myself- I was inclined to pursue my research on Muslim Community Network, because it not only ties to my identity as a Muslim, a Public Servant, but also a recipient of such crucial Non-Profits serving their communities. Conducting this research showed me what strategies MCN and Muslim centered non profits can employ to tap into mainstream funding, and how the work that they do requires intentional communication and strategic agility. By applying public management frameworks to these barriers faced by Muslim centered nonprofits, we can help build a more equitable and inclusive philanthropic landscape.”

The students appreciated her sincere and insightful talk as they are drafting their research proposals for this semester.

Ruksana is also a Civic Engagement Fellow. This fellowship is sponsored by the CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance and the NYC Campaign Finance Board, and the program embeds exemplary CUNY students in community-based organizations to advance voter engagement and education initiatives.

Baruch Soccer

On September 4, 2026 I was enthused about watching the Baruch College men’s soccer team play their second game of the season against SUNY Old Westbury. Although they lost, there were positive efforts to build on.

This semester I am serving as the faculty liaison to the team. I hope to provide “assists” so the players can meet their “goals” as student-athletes in the classrooms.

This is part of a new initiative, “Faculty All-Stars,” that aims to support the College’s teams. It is being implemented by the Committee on Collegiate Athletics and the Athletics Department. Kudos to them for this initiative.

Consul General of Ecuador in New York

On May 21, 2026 I was proud to be invited by Consul General of Ecuador in New York, Gicela Andrade Valens, as part of the delegation to present the replica vessel of Palanda to the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). This artifact of the Mayo Chinchipe people, dating back 5,500 years, was found to contain residue of cacao. The consul general noted that this discovery changes the narrative on the first usage of cacao, whose beans are used to make chocolate and cocoa butter.

As an Ecuadorian American, I see this collaboration between the AMNH and the Ecuadorian government to permanently exhibit this vessel in New York City as apropos. The city has long been home to the largest Ecuadorian community in the United States, and the artifact will deepen understanding of our history and culture.



(Pictured with the consul general [left] is Michelle Young, AMNH Assistant Curator for South American Archaeology)

Best Project Team

On May 18, 2026 I was proud to recognize MPA students Skylar Ribotsky (Team Leader), James Calicchio, Tasmiah Choudhury, and MSEd-HEA student Christine Pardo (“Team Yellow”) with the Best Project Team recognition for my Public & Nonprofit Management I course. 

They made two excellent presentations—using assigned case studies (on a hospital and a museum)—that required them to apply theories, produce analyses and recommendations, and to work collaboratively. These presentations included fielding questions from their colleagues. 

Team Leader Skylar Ribotsky said, “The challenges we faced ultimately strengthened our collaboration, deepened our understanding, and led us to success together. Through perseverance and teamwork, we were able to overcome obstacles and give two great presentations. We're proud of what we achieved as a team and grateful for the guidance of Professor Neil Hernandez throughout the semester.”



One of the team’s strengths, which they demonstrated throughout the semester, was their perseverance as they worked through Tuckman’s (1965) four stages of team development, from forming to storming and from norming to performing. This trajectory is not perfect, and they learned to give each other space to be collaborative and effective.