When Areeba Hashmi arrived in New York City from Lucknow, India, to pursue a Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Pace University, she was uncertain about her future. However, within days of starting the program, she found a sense of belonging and support.
Hashmi’s experience at Pace has gone beyond academics. She has presented research at national conferences, built strong relationships with faculty mentors, joined a diverse student community, and secured a position as an analyst at the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget.
The university’s location near City Hall and the Mayor’s Office played a significant role in her decision to attend. “I remember telling a classmate during my first semester, ‘I want to work there someday.’ I had no idea I would be inside that building not too long after,” Hashmi said.
She described the MPA program as “flexible, practical, and designed for students who want to make an impact quickly.” With options for intersession and summer courses, Hashmi managed to stay on track toward graduation despite facing challenges back home. Her concentration in government management is the most popular track in the program. “Every course connects directly to what’s happening in the real world,” she said. “Policy studies, program planning and evaluation, applied data analysis—everything I learned in the classroom helped me excel at City Hall.”
Faculty mentorship has been central to Hashmi’s growth. Professor Sheying Chen encouraged her to present her research on social media’s role in intergovernmental relations at the Northeast Conference on Public Administration soon after she arrived in the U.S. Other professors like Hillary Knepper and Ric Kolenda have also provided guidance with research and navigating federal datasets.
“They fuel me,” Hashmi said. “Sometimes you know your own potential, but you still need someone to guide you. Pace professors really do that.”
Her academic achievements led to professional opportunities such as presenting at national conferences and securing an internship at the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget that became a part-time analyst role. In this position, she analyzes funding for New York City’s Department of Transportation and evaluates federal grants.
“It’s exciting and overwhelming in the best way,” she said. “And everything I do at work connects back to what I learn in the classroom.”
Adjusting to life in New York posed challenges for Hashmi as an international student; however, she found support among her peers. “The students here are so welcoming,” she said. “And I have classmates from all over the world. I never felt judged—only supported.” This environment helped her gain confidence both academically and personally.
Looking ahead, Hashmi plans to continue working in city government after completing her MPA before pursuing a PhD with hopes of working for organizations like the United Nations or other global public service institutions.
Hashmi has also achieved a milestone by becoming Pace University’s first student selected as a 2026 Founders’ Fellow by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). Her research will be featured at ASPA’s student roundtable under the title “Integrating High-Skilled International Students into the US Workforce.” The study addresses challenges faced by international students transitioning into professional roles and explores how policy can better support their integration.
“Pace gave me everything I needed—supportive professors, real opportunities, a diverse community, and a location that connects you directly to government. If you want to build a career that actually matters, this is the place,” Hashmi said.
“I came to New York for my education, and Pace has made every challenge worth it.”
