4th year Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) Spec. Honours and Junior Ambassador for the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA)

My name is Andrew Camacho and I am currently a first-year student in the Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) program. I look back at myself at this time last year, and I remember the persistent debate I had with myself on what path I wanted to pursue with my post-secondary studies. Throughout my high school experience, I always found myself interested in the topics of law, social sciences, politics, and humanities, making me intrigued in pursuing a post-secondary route that can fulfill a good mixture of these interests I have. After visiting the BPA program session at the York University Spring Open House last year, I instantly became fascinated with the idea of pursuing a degree in this program. I was attracted to York University’s Bachelor of Public Administration program as it gave me the flexibility to explore different interests such as the law and business sides of public policy rather than just one area that I would be stuck with pursuing for my four years of post-secondary studies. In the end, the BPA program checked off all the boxes for me and was the far superior choice for what I want to pursue for my future.

On the day of the School of Public Policy and Administration orientation this past August, I recall how nervous I was to begin this new chapter of my life and how I would be able to adapt to life as a university student. Professor Kimakova’s presentation helped give me a feeling of relief that I would be able to transition to post-secondary life well and be successful with my education. At orientation I was also able to already form bonds with fellow first-year BPA students and Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA) members. I was encouraged by PPASA’s Director of Outreach, Patricia Cobarrubias and Director of Marketing and Social Media, Rean Pelayo to apply to become a Junior Ambassador. Since becoming a Junior Ambassador, I’ve been handed many opportunities to learn from and collaborate with fellow PPASA members through attending networking events and organizing future events and activities. I’ve also appreciated the great personal connections that I’ve been able to make with my fellow members who have welcomed me into the PPASA family with open arms!

The School of Public Policy and Administration has so far provided me with a lot of great experience and insight into what a career in public policy and administration entails. I am very satisfied with the decision I made this past spring as I cannot imagine a better program to be a part of and a wonderful group of people to be surrounded by. I look very forward to my upcoming future as a BPA student here at York!          – Andrew Camacho