Brody Stratz (BA ‘26) reflects on how growing up during COVID shaped his interest in public policy, what he's learned at the Ford School, and the impact he hopes to make through economic policy.
What experiences have you had that shape how you think about public policy?
This might be a bit of a cliché answer, but COVID for sure. I was about 15 when COVID hit, and that really put public policy under a microscope, especially at the local level. I'm from California originally, which is a controversial state in a sense, because there were a lot of successes in what they were able to do so quickly, but also some shortcomings. It made me realize just how impactful local policymakers are.
What do you feel like you bring to the classroom because of your experiences?
An appreciation for local policy. At the Ford School we definitely like to think big, which isn't a bad thing, but when you're talking about actually helping people and improving people's lives most directly, I think local government is the most important route. That's a somewhat unique perspective to bring to a classroom when we're talking about macroeconomic policy and other big issues that seem a little distant from everyday people on the ground.
Why did you choose to apply to the Ford School?
I'd heard about the Ford School through a variety of people. My older brother was actually a Fordie and he really sold me on it. I knew I had a passion for public policy and making an impact and I wanted to be challenged. I knew I would have the opportunity to learn from world-class professors, but what I've enjoyed even more is learning from my peers. I learn so much from everyone around me every day, it's really a privilege.
What policy issues get you out of bed in the morning?
I've geared my education and career toward international economic policy. It has a lot of secondary and tertiary positive impacts on communities. If you can raise the economic well-being of a given area, you start to see other metrics improve too. At 21, I'd be lying if I said I knew exactly what route I'm going to take to make the impact I want to make, but I want to use the education I've received in economic policymaking, whether that's working on the Hill, at a think tank, or somewhere else, into action.
What advice do you have for students considering applying to the Ford School?
I would say absolutely apply, there's really no downside. If you do get in, take advantage of all the amazing resources the Ford School has to offer, whether that's the Writing Center, professors' office hours, or the people around you. It's really what you make of it, and if you choose to take advantage of those opportunities you can have a college experience that's second to none.
This story is part of the Featured Fordies series, a new initiative that celebrates the diverse backgrounds, work, life, and academic experiences that students bring to the Ford School community.