Josefina M. Ewins, originally from Sicklerville, New Jersey is a graduate of the Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program. She is a New Jersey Governor’s Fellow, a former Bonner Civic Scholar, and TriO Scholar. Driven by a passion for understanding policies that impact students and their higher education, she works with the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education as a Policy Fellow, to improve the experience and outcomes for New Jersey students.
PROGRAM AND INSPIRATION
My Family has a big interest in education. Being a first-generation college student and Panamanian American, we talked immensely about inequalities for individuals from all walks of life regarding education. Additionally, I was raised as always thinking of who and what supported me through my journey; it was imperative for these voices to be present for me throughout my higher education journey. When I started at Rutgers-Camden, I was a part of the Summer Bridge Program of 2018 and also a TRiO Scholar, which allowed me to figure out what my niche was, and I realized it was focusing on policies that impact students and their higher education. After COVID-19 and my senior year of undergrad, I realized that I wanted to assist in bettering our university students’ experiences on the Camden campus, which ultimately pushed me to figure out ways to assist within the policy realm on a larger scale regarding higher education. In my senior year, I was a part of the student government association as the executive senator for the campus, which allowed me to see how our institutional policies impact students, which made me want to do it on the state scale. I decided to do the Political Science BA/Master in Public Administration (MPA) accelerated program in my senior year to focus on policy and implementation in both nonprofit and public spheres.
ACADEMIC/ RESEARCH JOURNEY
I was able to be a part of the research process both in graduate school and undergrad. Thanks to the different programs, like the Bonner Civic Scholars Program, I was able to participate in the research development process. Being able to think in depth about how to conduct research in an equitable and understanding way for the surrounding community at Rutgers-Camden allowed me to think about how to bring all involved parties to the table. Once again, going back to the values instilled in me by my parents, thinking about the voices that are not always allowed within the room. In my year of graduate school in the MPA department, I was able to do research regarding Black women within the state legislature and how it impacts the world around us and benefits us by having more diversity within these political spaces. This research was crucial to me, as the discussion regarding the need for representation in all fields is so critical.
FELLOWSHIP AWARD
The New Jersey Governor’s Fellow position focuses on ushering in recent graduates into the New Jersey government sphere. Per the Governor’s website, the Fellowship is to bring in individuals who will specialize in different areas within different executive branch departments. I work with the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education as a Policy Fellow, where the department focuses on improving the experience and outcomes for New Jersey students. Being able to advocate for those who have been systemically underrepresented within politics and policy is vital to me, and I am delighted to bring an equitable lens within the higher education space.
FAVORITE QUOTE
I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood.
Audre Lord