Alys Mann
Hello! I’m Alys Mann, a senior geography and policy studies major.  I came to Syracuse University from a small town in the Catskills called Livingston Manor as an undeclared major.  In my first semester freshman year I was placed in two geography classes, world cultures and the natural environment.  Both very diverse subjects under the umbrella of geography, I was attracted to each of them.  The following semester I landed in the introduction to policy studies and analysis class offered through the policy studies department and everything began to come together.  I found that through my work with both geography and policy studies, geography has helped me develop a skill set enables me to think critically and spatially about economic, political, global, environmental, and urban issues and policy studies provides a skill set to do something about the problems.

My interests have gravitated towards urban issues and community planning.  I currently work at Home HeadQuarters in downtown Syracuse where I have gained experience in community planning, grant writing, and was able to enhance my GIS skills.  I love being able to work with community members

Travel has been another interest of mine that has developed throughout my college career.   In my sophomore year I traveled to Brazil on an environmental delegation where I looked at environmental issues that three different cities face on local, regional, and international scales.  This two week travel experienced prepared me for a five month study aboard experience I did in Hong Kong in the spring of 2006.  Being able to live in Asia opened my eyes to the world around me.  Once you have an international perspective on the world, you never look at it the same way.

I graduate this December and I do not have concrete plans as of yet.  I will most likely pursue a career in community and economic development and then decide if I want to go on to graduate school for urban planning or an MPA.