Isabella Coronado Doria joined the Max Bell School of Public Policy with a clear sense of purpose shaped by years of experience in grassroots education and community engagement. Before enrolling in the MPP program, she worked closely with underserved communities in Colombia. The project aimed to expand access to education for vulnerable student populations, many of whom faced systemic barriers that traditional policy solutions often overlook. When the initiative faced a sudden loss of funding, Isabella and her colleagues had to transform a structured, top-down project into a volunteer-driven collaboration.Â
That transition proved to be a turning point in her understanding of how policy functions. Working alongside volunteers, advocates, and community members, Isabella witnessed firsthand how solutions could be built through collective effort, even in the absence of formal infrastructure. The experience taught her that the most meaningful interventions often emerge from adaptability, empathy, and sustained community engagement.Â
“Losing the budget forced us to rethink everything,” she explains. “We had to rely on the energy and commitment of volunteers to keep the initiative alive. That moment changed how I understood policy, not only as something implemented by governments and organizations, but as something shaped by the people most affected by it.”Â
At Max Bell, Isabella was drawn to the program’s practical orientation and its emphasis on skill development for policy professionals. The one-year intensive structure, paired with the opportunity to participate in the annual Policy Lab, made the program an ideal next step. “I wanted a professional program that could give me the tools to contribute to real-world projects, especially those rooted in social impact,” she says. “The Policy Lab stood out because it lets us collaborate with an actual policy sponsor and apply what we learn to a tangible challenge.”Â
Throughout her time at Max Bell, Isabella has continued to explore the intersections between academic theory and lived experiences. She contributes regularly to , the school’s student-led publication, where her writing often draws connections between course material and the broader social issues she’s long been passionate about.Â
Her involvement as VP Mental Health in the Public Policy Association of Graduate Students (PPAGS) also reflects this desire to create inclusive and engaged spaces within the student community. For Isabella, building relationships with classmates and finding common ground between academic and social life is essential to getting the most out of the MPP experience. “Being part of a cohort means more than just taking classes together,” she says. “It’s about sharing ideas, supporting each other, and learning from the different perspectives everyone brings to the table.”Â
Looking ahead, Isabella sees herself continuing to work on education policy and community-led initiatives, especially in spaces where policy needs to be more responsive and equitable. She believes the Max Bell MPP program is best suited for students who arrive with some real-world experience and a strong desire to build on it. “You don’t need to have everything figured out,” she explains. “But if you care about addressing social challenges and want to gain skills you can use across sectors, this program offers an incredible foundation.”Â
