Program Manager, U.S. Libraries Program
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA

Jill Nishi began her career in local government with an interest in urban policy. At WWS, the M.P.A./U.R.P. degree allowed her to explore further the intersection of planning and policymaking within the context of an urban/city environment, and equipped her with a strong analytic toolbox that has enabled her to understand the development of policy from political, social, and economic perspectives. Jill currently oversees the U.S. Library Program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, where she manages the foundation’s initiative to ensure access to technology for all people through the nation’s public libraries. Prior to joining the foundation, Jill held a number of positions in local government, most recently having served as the director of the City of Seattle's Office of Economic Development. Nishi says she uses the invaluable insights gained in Professor Uwe Reinhardt’s financial management course on a daily basis in both her professional and personal life.

"The Woodrow Wilson School has a national reputation in the field of public policy," she says. "I chose WWS because I wanted a graduate school experience that would challenge my thinking and allow me to exchange ideas with colleagues from around the nation and around the world.

"I am very grateful for my experience at WWS--my professors were outstanding, the administration was open and responsive, and my colleagues from the School continue to be a source of support and enduring friendship. The School provided me with two years of rigorous academic challenges, as well as access to national and international work experiences. The quality of the teaching, tremendous resources, and intimate setting made possible an intense and invaluable graduate school experience."

“I pursued a Master in Public Affairs degree emphasizing analytical skills that would prepare me for any situation; a knowledge-based program would have limited my experience to a particular region of the world. Although being passionate makes a difference in the world, it is not enough in a world focused on the bottom line. The core curriculum at WWS is designed to equip students with the quantitative skills necessary to define and defend policy that will ultimately improve the lives of people at home and around the world.”