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Students
Turning Real-life Research into Impactful Advocacy
At the heart of ŮٱƵŮٱƵs Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is the conviction that thoughtful research has the power to spur meaningful change. Sydney Moraitis ŮٱƵ22, MPA, has experienced that firsthand.
In partnership with the Westchester ChildrenŮٱƵs Association (WCA), Moraitis and Associate Professor and Director of MPA Gina Scutelnicu-Todoran, PhD, spearheaded the which surveyed families on their digital access, skills, and knowledge. Moraitis and WCA then presented the findings of the survey at a press conference on PaceŮٱƵs Westchester campus in October.
ŮٱƵThe Covid-19 pandemic affected both students and families as their daily use of technology increased, which exacerbated the pre-pandemic digital divide,ŮٱƵ said Moraitis. ŮٱƵTo provide support for those who lack technology access in terms of devices and skills by means of training, identifying what the needs are in a community is an important first step.ŮٱƵ
Embracing the Process
This survey was a follow-up to a study conducted during the height of the pandemic that MPA graduate Greg Rivera ŮٱƵ21 had assisted WCA in conducting as part of his capstone project, focusing on the impact of remote learning on K-12 families in Westchester. Rivera and his mentor, Scutelnicu-Todoran, presented the recommendation for a follow-up survey a year later.
MoraitisŮٱƵs involvement was a bit serendipitous. She inquired about working on a project with Scutelnicu-Todoran and mentioned an interest in educational policy. Scutelnicu-Todoran connected Moraitis with WCA, and this time, the Pace MPA team owned the entire survey process, from origination to dissemination to evaluation. While the original survey focused specifically on remote learning, this yearŮٱƵs iteration focuses more broadly on familiesŮٱƵ access to and comfortability with reliable internet and technological devices.
Moraitis noted that the biggest challenge in conducting this yearŮٱƵs study was getting the survey to as many families as possible. ŮٱƵWe believed that it was important to make efforts to include the voices of those who didnŮٱƵt have access to an electronic device,ŮٱƵ she said.
Moraitis and the team then met with a number of WCAŮٱƵs partner organizations in the area, persuading them to distribute hard copies of the survey to families in both English and Spanish and set up physical drop boxes for collection.
Presenting the Results
Upon analyzing the results, the survey demonstrated an inequity in technological access between children and families from under-represented groups and their peers in Westchester County. Among the 511 parents and guardians surveyed, 27 percent said they experienced stress related to technology at least once a week, while 31 percent felt technology made their childrenŮٱƵs learning more difficult. The survey also revealed evidence that participants who were of Hispanic/Latinx descent and whose primary language was not English were less likely to have internet access.
ŮٱƵWe hope the survey findings will assist local leaders and stakeholders in determining the best ways to provide services to improve digital access and digital literacy so that both children and their families are well equipped to participate online,ŮٱƵ said Moraitis.
Scutelnicu-Todoran connected the results directly to recommended policy and action aimed at narrowing the digital divide: ŮٱƵSchool districts and the NYSED should provide digital resources that are geared towards different constituent groups ŮٱƵ whether itŮٱƵs providing access to devices and internet, offering digital training, raising awareness about internet affordability programs, or ensuring multiple communication channels between educators, parents and students.ŮٱƵ
WCA proposed the idea of presenting these results and recommendations at a press conference. With the help of the ŮٱƵ Public Affairs team, the event on October 4 drew a diverse crowd, including Westchester County legislators, representatives from nonprofit organizations, news outlets, and members of the Pace community.
Putting Skills into Practice
The Pace Path aims to connect students to immersive, applicable experiences to enhance their learning. Moraitis is grateful for the opportunity through the MPA program and with WCA to have been wholly involved in the survey process from its design to the presentation of the results.
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ŮٱƵThis was a rewarding opportunity working with an advocacy organization as I learned the importance of forming relationships and partnering with other relevant organizations,ŮٱƵ said Moraitis. ŮٱƵI want to especially thank Limarie Cabrera at WCA who took me under her wing during my internship, providing me with opportunities to learn about creative and innovative ways to express data.ŮٱƵ
Scutelnicu-Todoran notes that these kinds of opportunities help set the Pace MPA program apart.
ŮٱƵReal-life learning experiences such as this provide our students with the opportunity to acquire practical skills, participate in policy making, network with potential employers and make a difference in their communities,ŮٱƵ she said. ŮٱƵOnce our students graduate, they have the necessary skills to be successful and secure a job in their area of expertise whether itŮٱƵs in the nonprofit, public or healthcare industry.ŮٱƵ
Real-life learning experiences such as this provide our students with the opportunity to acquire practical skills, participate in policy making, network with potential employers and make a difference in their communities.
And in learning these skills, students are empowered to enact real change. As a result of the survey, WCA is advocating for Westchester County to to establish a digital equity and inclusion director position. Additionally, WCA has created a digital access workgroup, consisting of school district officials, representatives from country departments and community organizations, childrenŮٱƵs advocates, and local elected officials to spearhead initiatives to increase and improve digital access and literacy for Westchester families. Additionally, WCA has launched awareness campaigns to notify families of available resources and trainings.
ŮٱƵCollaborating with stakeholders in the county who are also passionate about digital equity enlightened me on the power of working together to bring forward meaningful change,ŮٱƵ said Moraitis, who hopes to work for a nonprofit focused on youth social-emotional wellness upon her graduation in December. ŮٱƵI look forward to putting what I have learned into practice moving forward.ŮٱƵ
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