Serena Saunders, Mpp
About Serena Saunders, Mpp
Serena Saunders is the Communications & Programs Coordinator at Running Start, where she manages the Congressional Fellowship Program and assists with the summer High School Program. She has a background in public policy and civic empowerment, particularly for youth and women, with previous roles in various organizations focused on policy and communications.
Current Role at Running Start
Serena Saunders serves as the Communications & Programs Coordinator at Running Start, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she manages the Congressional Fellowship Program, which takes place each spring and fall semester. Additionally, she assists with the planning and execution of the summer High School Program, focusing on political and civic empowerment for youth and women.
Previous Experience at Running Start
Prior to her current role, Serena Saunders worked at Running Start as an intern in 2019 for three months. She later served as a Staff Assistant from 2020 to 2021 for one year. Her experiences at Running Start contributed to her understanding of program coordination and communications within the organization.
Education and Academic Background
Serena Saunders completed her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy at the University of Maryland College Park, studying from 2016 to 2020. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Public Policy with a focus on Nonprofit Management and Leadership, as well as Social Policy, from 2019 to 2021. Her academic background supports her work in civic engagement and policy development.
Professional Experience in Policy and Communications
Serena Saunders has held various positions related to policy and communications. She worked as a Public Policy and Communications Intern at the Feminist Majority Foundation in 2020 for three months. Additionally, she served as a Policy Intern at Platform Women in 2019 for one month and as an Expansion Associate at Pay Our Interns for three months in the same year. These roles have enhanced her expertise in public policy and advocacy.
Coaching and Editorial Experience
From 2016 to 2018, Serena Saunders was the Assistant Debate Coach at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland. She also gained editorial experience as the Opinion Editor for The Diamondback in 2020 for one year, and as an Opinion Columnist for three months in the same publication. These experiences contributed to her skills in communication and leadership.