4th Year Professional Certificate Student in Public Policy Analysis and President for the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA)

Hello everyone! My name is Khushbu Dhaliwal and I’m a 4^th year student pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Arts in History and the Professional Certificate in Public Policy Analysis. When I first entered university, I was eager to get my degree and move on with my life. I was one of those students who came to university with the next years of my life planned out. I look back at that time, and I laugh because little did I know then, the time I’ve spent at York University would be the best years of my life. When I attended my first event with the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA), and I got to meet the students and faculty in the School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA), I knew that I was in for a great few years.

During my time at York University, I have been given the opportunity to take many experiential education courses that have helped me develop my professional skills and provided me with hands-on learning experiences. As a student studying History and Public Policy Analysis, I have completed many analytical projects and assignments that required extensive research and analysis of different policy and administration issues across Canada. My favourite PPAS courses thus far have to be AP/PPAS 4995 6.0 Practicum in Public Administration and AP/PPAS 4200 6.0 Applied Public Policy Analysis. These amazing hands-on learning experiences have allowed me to gain insight into what it’s like to work in government. Through the practicum course, I am currently placed at the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services in the Client Relationship and Business Education Services Unit. I am working on a project to create the first-ever Master Class program in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) and it has been a great journey. I have developed many valuable skills that are essential when working in the OPS and I will continue to hone these skills going forward in my academic and professional careers. Through the Applied Public Policy Analysis course I have been given the opportunity to work on a client project for the National Ballet School of Canada with a group of talented individuals to determine how the organization can receive more funding from different levels of government. In this course, I conducted jurisdictional scans, consulted stakeholders, and evaluated how well the program is meeting its goals and its service delivery given their financial situation. These opportunities have allowed me to interact with amazing and inspiring people. They have also given me the chance to gain an experience of a lifetime; one that I will never forget.

I am currently serving as the President of the Public Policy and Administration Student Association (PPASA) and I can genuinely say that it has been a wonderful journey. I initially joined the PPASA because I have a strong passion for networking and getting to meet great individuals. I love getting to know people and telling people about me! I knew that I wanted to be a part of the PPASA because I was surrounded by such talented, supportive and caring students who shared the same interests as me. I also joined the PPASA to provide students with the opportunity to get to know alumni, professors and professionals in the public sector. By creating and hosting events, students get the chance to meet and build connections that they will cherish for a lifetime. Here in the SPPA, we welcome students to join our closely-knit family made up of faculty, professionals and alumni. The SPPA faculty help their students through thick and thin and they help prepare students for success during their studies and post-graduate pathways. The opportunities that the Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) and certificate programs offer are endless, and I am so happy that I got to experience what it’s like to be a part of this community throughout my time at York University!