Kim Augenstein
Master of Science in Public Policy & Management
Concentration: Financial Management
Kim is a Pittsburgh native
who grew up in the South Hills and plans on staying in Pittsburgh after
graduation. Kim has many family
ties at Pitt and in Oakland. Visiting
the museum was her favorite thing to do in Oakland as a child, but now Schenley
Park has taken the top spot because of its trails in the fall and snowballs,
skating, and sled riding in the winter. Kim
writes that she “ha[s] a very personal interest in making [Oakland] better - a
place that I loved as a child and continue to love today.”
J. Malik Cheatum
Master of Science in Public Policy & Management
Concentration: Information and Technology Organizational Strategy and Value
Added Public Policy Analysis (self-defined)
Jay studies how information and technology serves disadvantaged urban and rural communities. Jay’s other interests include B2C internet taxation and its effects on localities. Outside of academia, Jay enjoys sampling the diverse eateries on Forbes Ave. and visiting the shops and music stories.
Sarah Gross
Master of Science in Public Policy & Management
Accelerated Masters Program
Sarah is a Pittsburgh native
and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She finds Oakland to be an
interesting place---nice to walk around and see the intersection of so many
walks of life. She also sees Oakland as diverse in a number of ways and how each
sector of the community fits together.
Jessie Hood
Masters of Arts Management
Jessie is originally from Tallahassee, Florida, where she received her bachelor's degree in dance from Florida State University. She is excited about the opportunity to learn about economic development and the new economy, and sees arts and culture as an integral part of these issues. Her interest in Oakland's amenities is broad, but she especially enjoys its world-class art, ethnic cuisine, intimate music venues, and its green spaces. You are just as likely to see Jessie attending a symphony concert as hiking in a nearby state park.
Lenn Kano
Master of Science in Public Policy & Management
Concentration: Management Information Systems and Economic Development
Lenn is a native of Los Angeles where “fall is not a season, its only a suggestion.” He plays guitar and is constantly searching for the perfect cup of coffee. Lenn can often be found waiting in line in front of the food trucks at Schenley Plaza wondering if the trucks get parking tickets. Lenn opines that “the samosas from Kholi’s kick-butt over those from Kashmiri.”
Beth Newman
Master of Science in Public Policy & Management
Concentration: Sustainable Development & Design (self-defined)
Beth is a Pittsburgh area native and currently lives in Pittsburgh’s historic North Side. In her spare time Beth enjoys live music, ethnic food, books, and the Steelers. Beth believes that Oakland is a neighborhood filled with hidden jewels just waiting to be uncovered. From the ethnic restaurants on Atwood Street, to the literary treasures in Jay’s Bookstall and the gingerbread cookies at Kunst Bakery, to the charming side streets and Italian groceries in South Oakland, every corner has a surprise in store.
Kendra K. Quandt
Master of Arts Management
Kendra was born and raised in the booming metropolis of Davenport, Nebraska (population 383). In January of 1999, Kendra took the position of Youth Network Director for the Nebraska Council to Prevent Alcohol and Drug-Abuse, where she worked with leadership and legislative issues relating to Nebraska’s youth. Kendra’s hobbies and interests include: running, biking, fishing, hiking (she climbed her first “Fourteener” this summer), playing the piano, and spoiling her niece and nephew. Kendra hopes to work with a record company or performance venue representing up-and-coming alternative music groups.
Marcie Solomon
Masters of Arts Management
Marcie is originally from
the New York metropolitan area and has a background in music performance and
business administration. When
arriving in Pittsburgh as a freshman, Marcie found Oakland a little
overwhelming, “it was kind of hard to rationalize the Beehive.”
After five years in the area, Marcie has come to the decision that the
best part of Oakland is its food. Whether
that means bagels at Schwartz's at 6 in the morning, margaritas at Mad Mex at
happy hour, or dinner anywhere off of Forbes, there's a great and fun variety
which also serves as key interface for students and the community.
Marcie's most favorite activity in Oakland, however, would be walking
around all the old houses in North Oakland.
Caroline C. Villanueva
Master of Science in Public Policy &
Management
Concentration: Urban Planning & Economic Development
Caroline is a first generation Peruvian raised in the beautiful cosmopolitan mecca of South Florida. She loves to shake her groove thing and eat yummy food from anywhere in the world because food & music are the best elements for people to gather and celebrate. Caroline can't be specific other than to say that the Fifth and Forbes corridor, mainly along Forbes is IT. Behind Forbes are homes, restaurants and a beautifully tucked away park. She sees the heart of Oakland in the green space around the Cathedral of Learning, but she feels that it lacks age diversity. She wonders where in Oakland you can find all types of people (color, gender and age) in one centralized location.
Bing Xu
Master of Science in Public Policy & Management
Accelerated Masters Program
Bing is originally from Bei Jing, China, but he comes to Pittsburgh via Sparta, NJ. Bing considers himself a Pittsburgh resident, now and for the foreseeable future. Bing plays basketball almost everyday and goes alpine skiing a lot over the winter. Bing builds car stereo systems for people as a side job, and he will be compete in national car audio competitions with his truck starting next year. Bing lives off of South Craig Street, and he says that the restaurants, shops and Panther Hollow make it his favorite place in Oakland.
Moses K. Yoon
Masters of Science in Public Policy & Management
Concentration: Information Technology
Moses is from Philadelphia,
and after five years in Pittsburgh, he finds Oakland’s proximity to mostly
everything to be its most attractive aspect.
The restaurants and eateries are something that he likes to take
advantage of as well as Schenley Park's serene beauty. Moses also enjoys the
youth and diversity that Oakland fosters. Oakland has the "college
feel" to it, and for Moses, being able to see different ethnicities and
cultures is very positive.