The Fels Institute of Government is currently looking for applicants to the position of Public Policy Challenge Executive Director for the 2011-2012 academic year at Penn.
For a details on salary, responsibilities, and how to apply, please download the official Challenge ED Job Description 2011.
Penn's Fels Institute of Government, Headquarters of the Public Policy Challenge
Virtual Market Philly Accepts Their Check for $5,000 from the Judges
The 2nd Annual Public Policy Challenge is officially at an end after Sunday’s Finals at the National Constitution Center. Five teams delivered fantastic presentations, outlining well thought-out ideas to make Greater Philadelphia a better place. In the end, team Virtual Market Philly emerged as the grand-prize winner of $5,000 – $2,500 of which will be donated to a cause of their choice. Rachel Cahill of Fels, Jennifer Ralston of the School of Social Policy and Practice, Natalie Robles of the City & Regional Planning Program at PennDesign, and Lise Wagnac of Bryn Mawr College developed an idea inspired by an effort to increase access to fresh, healthy food within the “food deserts” of Baltimore (called “Baltimarket”). Their project involves creation of a virtual supermarket – or online grocery store – bringing convenience and affordable prices to “food deserts” in Philadelphia; because 1/3 of Philadelphia’s population lives within short walking distance to libraries, Team Virtual Market Philly proposed that libraries be designated pick-up sites.
All of our teams – FairHealth, WalkPhilly, SubWalk, and Impact Gardens – had great ideas, and the judges took a great deal of time deliberating after the presentations on Sunday in the National Constitution Center’s Kirby Auditorium. During that process, judges had a difficult time coming to a consensus. But ultimately, they determined that Virtual Market should be the winner based on practicality and potential impact of their idea.
Our panel of judges was a thoughtful and powerful group; they included Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Jim Cawley, Pennsylvania State Rep. Dwight Evans, John DiIulio, Professor and Director of the Fox Leadership Program at Penn, Philadelphia City Councilwoman Marian Tasco, Jeffrey Cooper, VP of Government and Community Affairs at Penn, Donna Cooper, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and former Pennsylvania Secretary for Planning and Policy, David Eisner, President and CEO of the National Constitution Center and former CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Helen Gym, Board Chair, Asian Americans United and founder of Parents United for Public Education, and Pennsylvania State Rep Chris Ross.
The Judges Pose with the Winning Team. From Left: PA State Rep. Chris Ross, Councilwoman Marian Tasco, Helen Gym, Donna Cooper, Teammate Jennifer Ralston, Teammate Lise Wagnac, Teammate Natalie Robles, Teammate Rachel Cahill, David Thornburgh of Fels (in rear), Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, Jeffrey Cooper, PA State Rep. Dwight Evans, and David Eisner.
Exterior image of the National Constitution Center
After working through the break to book sites and speakers for our upcoming workshops and judging events, we have confirmed the following times and locations. Perhaps the most exciting piece of news on the list: our Finals event in March will take place at the National Constitution Center.
Workshop #1 – Monday, January 31st (5:30-8:30pm)
Houston Hall – Golkin Room
Workshop #2 – Monday, February 7th (5:30-8:30pm)
Houston Hall – Golkin Room
Round Robin – Monday, February 21st (5:30-8:30pm)
David Rittenhouse Laboratory – A5, A6, A7, A8
Phase 2:
Workshop #3 – Monday, March 14th (5:30-8:30pm)
Houston Hall – Golkin Room
Finals – Sunday, March 20th
National Constitution Center
Campusphilly.org featured the Public Policy Challenge as a new and promising way to revitalize Greater Philadelphia. Ana Liss wrote that the PPC offers an opportunity for students to learn the process of producing and implementing public policy to aid the region in its expected growth. Check out the article at campusphilly.org and fill out the application by November 12th.
Ana Liss, Executive Director of the Public Policy Challenge this academic year, wrote an opinion piece about the Challenge published in this week’s Daily Pennsylvanian. Calling it a “Challenge for millenials,” Ana referenced a motivating article published by Governing Magazine called “From Facebook to Government: Can Millennials Increase Government Popularity?” Please read both for some inspiration, and don’t forget to submit your application by October 31st! 
After a total of 10 information sessions and class presentations across campus, applications are pouring in for the Public Policy Challenge 2011!
Because of that demand, we want to make the following important announcement:
If you would prefer to work with a specific group of students rather than having your team selected for you, that is absolutely allowed. Please specify who you would like to work with in the “General Comments” section of the application. We ask, though, that you have at least 3 schools or degree progr
ams represented on your team.
You can access the application here. Please submit yours no later than midnight on Sunday, October 31st, 2010.
Watch both videos for an inside look at the Public Policy Challenge 2010:
Photo by Lauren Hansen-Flaschen
The Round Robin – the latest phase of the Challenge – was held Tuesday, February 16th. Ten teams of students from throughout Penn presented their proposals for turning policy ideas into action through a civic campaign, and five were chosen to advance to the Finals. Click here to read more »
Teams are getting ready for their first real hurdle: the Round Robin. Each team will pitch its initiative to several panels of judges on Tuesday night, but only 5 teams will advance to the Finals.
If you want to know more, check out the full list of confirmed judges and the information page that we’ve posted for them. Should be an exciting time!
The Challenge has kicked-off and teams are hard at work on their policy initiatives. A lot of folks helped get this thing started – thanks to you all!
The first Workshop, which will introduce teams to the Civic Campaign concept, is tomorrow, Tuesday 2/2. If you’re curious to see what’s going on, stop by any time from 5:30 to 8:30pm – Houston Hall, Ben Franklin Room.
