The Humphrey School of Public Affairs is recognized as one of the country’s top professional public policy and planning schools – a reputation measured in large part by the success of its students: the next generation of public leaders and changemakers.
For Rachel Leatham, director of Career and Student Success (CSS) at the Humphrey School, her North Star for student success is "their ability to feel welcome in the community, reducing barriers, and building sustainable connections."
Her team, working closely with students and the Humphrey School community, has reimagined the student journey over the past few years by implementing new, student-centered initiatives.
“The experience each student has at the school is designed to meet them where they are and welcome them in,” Leatham said. “We couldn’t do this without students’ initiative in telling us what they need.”
Orientation was one of the first things the CSS team redefined in collaboration with the Humphrey School's academic, program, and admissions teams. The week-long program for incoming students was functional, but something was missing. “It was very operational, Leatham said, “but it wasn’t creating a sense of what our community is or what we expect.”
So the CSS team changed up its approach, focusing on values-based skill building, placemaking, and community building.
Constructive Dialogue and Community Building
For the past two years, incoming students were introduced to the concept of constructive dialogue, an approach that encourages understanding, empathy, and respect for differing perspectives.
This work has been central to how the Humphrey School prepares students to lead across differences and bridge divides. It reflects the School’s strategic priorities and its Constellations of (M)pact framework. Students were also introduced to key resources, student groups, and an overview of the graduate experience ahead, followed by a lunch with faculty and staff.
“Coming straight from my hometown in Argentina, I didn’t know anyone,” said Solana Ledesma, a second-year Master of Public Policy student and president of the Humphrey International Students Association (HISA). “Getting to know your classmates and faculty, and how the University works in that first week, was really nice.”
“Knowing what assets you have in your toolkit gives you so much confidence,” said Natalia Uro-De León, a second-year Master of Urban and Regional Planning student and president of the Public Affairs Student Association (PASA). “It makes you feel like you have all these people in your corner rooting for you.”
Placemaking
The CSS team also learned that students wanted less of the “nitty-gritty” in orientation and more context about where they were learning, who came before them, and how they fit into that broader story. “A new aim was to situate students within the whole space, both historical and present day,” said Abbe Holmgren, graduate program coordinator at the Humphrey School.
To help provide that context, Holmgren developed an introduction to the influential figures whose names grace the Humphrey School building, including Orville Freeman, Roy Wilkins, Josie R. Johnson, Walter and Joan Mondale, and Hubert H. Humphrey himself.
Students were also introduced to the surrounding Cedar-Riverside neighborhood and the West Bank of the University campus, with optional alumni-guided tours.
Throughout orientation, PASA organized casual, student-led social events that help incoming students connect across programs.
The Essential Series and Student Resources Website
Students from 41 countries are currently attending the Humphrey School, and many of them are navigating a new academic, social, and political environment.
“Through student check-ins, we learned many had questions about the United States government and our society,” said Amber Bieneck, assistant director of Career and Student Success.
Implementing that feedback, Bieneck launched the Essential Series in the fall of 2025, with support from a microgrant from the University’s First-Generation Institute.
The series included interactive workshops on U.S. civics and government systems, navigating graduate school, and connecting with the community. Sessions include panels of first-generation and international students, wellness and personal development resources, and advice on managing finances and job searches, to highlight a few.
Holmgren also created a centralized student resources website that brings together information from the Humphrey School and the broader University.
This site offers information on academic and career support, as well as resources on nutrition and housing, student life, mental health, and information for international students.
Humphrey’s Closet and Meal Kit Drive
Amid federal immigration enforcement actions that made some students reluctant to leave their homes, CSS teamed up with the Equity and Inclusion Council, student leaders, and the larger Humphrey School network to organize a food drive. In just a few weeks, the team assembled 60 meal kits for those in need.
“The drive shows the broader Humphrey School community, and how quickly everybody wants to support our students,” said Bieneck. “If someone has an idea and there’s support, everyone shows up for it.”
Similarly, Humphrey’s Closet, which provides students with professional attire and winter coats at no cost, relies on the School community for clothing donations. Bieneck launched Humphrey’s Closet in the fall of 2024, helping hundreds of students.
“Coming from a tropical city and without many interview clothes, Humphrey’s Closet was very useful and helped on a budget,” said Ledesma.
Beyond the Humphrey School: Career Planning
In addition to providing one-on-one advising, CSS staff organize programs that connect students with mentors and employers beyond the School.
One such program is the employer showcase, held each semester. Unlike a traditional job fair, the showcase uses a roundtable format where students meet local and national employers to ask questions, learn about roles, and practice networking.
“I always found job fairs to be a little flat and one-sided,” said Uro-De León. “But the showcase evens the playing field, making it more accessible to ask questions about job responsibilities and growth opportunities.”
CSS also hosts a spring career exploration trip to Washington, D.C., for students interested in careers with federal agencies and national organizations.
Alumni Mentor Program
Alumni are at the center of the Humphrey School’s long-running mentorship program. Now in its 38th year, the program pairs interested students with an alumni mentor who can offer insights into career planning and professional networking. Each year, the program sees well over 100 mentor-mentee pairs.
Topics can range from navigating graduate school, practicing job interviews and reviewing resumes, to balancing work and family, and many others.
“It was valuable connecting with a local professional to discuss areas I’m passionate about, and that gave me more structure and guidance,” said Uro-De León. “My mentor helped me stay curious and connected me with local opportunities.”
“The importance of people offering guidance and a listening ear can be instrumental in changing a trajectory or helping a student find hope,” said Leatham. “It’s something I deeply believe undergirds the Humphrey School community.”
“Being far from my family, it means a lot to find such an intentional culture of welcoming and belonging at the Humphrey School,” said Uro-De León. “It’s easy to connect with people who share your values of inclusion and community.”
