Brenda Duverce (MPP ’16) named one of 30 Top Thinkers Under 30 by Pacific Standard

March 14, 2016

Last week, Pacific Standard magazine profiled Ford School master’s student Brenda Duverce (MPP ’16) as one of the "30 Top Thinkers Under 30."

The profile highlights her path to graduate school and her experiences as a Fulbright scholar, Department of Interior fellow, and work in the House of Representatives.

“April 30, 2016 will be a great day,” says Duverce of this year’s commencement ceremony. “I knew that as a first-generation college student, my chances of entering and finishing college were not that high, but I worked hard and met the right people.”

After graduating from the Ford School, Duverce plans to work as a federal consultant to help government agencies become “more efficient at delivering social services to people in need and take a more evidence-based approach to solve social problems.”

Duverce is committed to serving as an example for young people growing up in similar circumstances, and one day plans to run for political office.

“I want to show them that they can be great too,” she said. “As a queer African-American woman, I’ve worked on Capitol Hill, for federal agencies, and for a leading consulting firm. There weren’t many people like me in the room. This is my chance to open up those spaces.”