Rocky Student Reflections

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Sunny Drescher '20

The Rockefeller Center has functioned as my home base throughout my time at Dartmouth, both welcoming me and challenging me throughout my four years. Freshman year, I participated in two programs which informed the trajectory of the rest of my time at Dartmouth: DLAB and First Year Fellows. DLAB helped me find space during my busy freshman year to think about being intentional with my time, and First Year Fellows opened professional doors and interests that would not have been possible otherwise. I also have been grateful to learn from incredible professors and mentors throughout my time engaging with Rocky, including Professor Wheelan, Professor Shaiko, and Professor Nachlis. Their courses (PBPL40, PBPL45, PBPL46, PBPL85) helped me develop an interest in issues relating to economic mobility as well as the skill set to think about these issues from a policy standpoint. Not only has Rocky been important for my academic, intellectual, and professional development, the Center has also helped me develop some of my greatest friendships through programs and classes. I cannot overstate how important Rocky has been to me throughout my time at Dartmouth, and I will miss it—the physical building and all its inhabitants—dearly upon graduation.

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Chris McCorkle '20

As an undergraduate, I studied Economics and Public Policy. My Public Policy minor was concentrated on Policy Leadership— focused on leadership within the policymaking realm as well as ways to develop exceptional leaders through policy action. These skills will certainly prove useful for me as I enter into the professional world as a management consultant working with public sector clients. I also benefited from a number of co-curricular programs offered by the Rockefeller Center. I worked almost every term from Sophomore to Senior year in the Policy Research Shop, investigating policy solutions, from marijuana legalization to the prevention of financial abuse of elderly citizens in the Upper Valley. I also participated in the Management and Leadership Development Program (MLDP) during my Junior year. The so-called “soft skills” such as proper emails and interpersonal mediation that I gained from that program have already proven beneficial in my professional and academic lives. Lastly, and most memorably, I participated in the Public Policy 85 “Global Policy Leadership” course, focused on the financial crisis and highlighted by a 2-week trip to Europe with the class. When reflecting on my time at Rocky, I cannot help but feel an immense sense of appreciation for the administration’s commitment to its goal of a holistic development of its students.