Working for a city council member in Cincinnati, Ohio provides Joshua Pine with ample opportunities to collaborate on innovative policies that serve residents. Whether he’s working on safety, transportation or housing, Pine continually finds ways to improve people’s quality of life.

In this conversation, Pine, a 2020 graduate of the Keough School’s Master of Global Affairs program, shares how his education prepared him to make a difference.

In particular, he discusses how the program enabled him to build a mix of technical and interpersonal skills that he relies on in his day-to-day work.

Q&A with Joshua Pine

What are your primary responsibilities in your role now? What are the best parts and what do you find challenging?

I work as the director of policy for Cincinnati City Council Member Anna Albi. My responsibilities include conducting policy research to understand existing city initiatives and also looking to innovative best practices from peer cities, both in the United States and globally.

For example, in the public safety space, our office has explored strategies involving alternative responses to crises, where relying on social workers and mental health professionals can be more effective than a traditional law enforcement approach.

Additionally, over the course of the pandemic, many cities implemented reforms to public spaces that were often reserved for parking and transformed them into parklets (sidewalk extensions that provide more public space) or outdoor dining spaces.

I also leverage data analysis to inform strategic city investments and evaluate pilot programs. Given the many needs that arise, one of the challenges I face is prioritizing and focusing my time and the city’s resources efficiently and effectively.

I enjoy and am inspired by the opportunity to work alongside fellow city employees — they are dedicated public servants working to improve the well-being of all city residents.

What skills or knowledge from the Masters of Global Affairs program do you draw upon in your current position?

I rely daily on the comparative policy research skill set I developed during my time in the Master of Global Affairs program. Absorbing large amounts of academic research, media stories and policy papers and synthesizing key insights has been critical to my professional success. Negotiation and mediation are also helpful skills I honed during the program, and they have been especially valuable working in a political environment where relationship building and working through differences of opinion is incredibly important.

I had the pleasure of taking multiple classes with Steve Reifenberg, who always emphasized the importance of negotiation in development projects. Additionally, Laurie Nathan’s incredible wealth of knowledge and personal experience with mediation in global conflict settings made his seminar extremely valuable. I am especially grateful for his continued support in my current role, as I was able to call him last year when the City Council was facing a challenging conflict, and he graciously provided feedback on how best to navigate the situation.

Lastly, taking courses in data visualization and Geographic Information System mapping equipped me with the skills to solve complex problems related to public safety, food insecurity and sustainable transportation.

Why did you choose the Master of Global Affairs program at the Keough School?

I grew up in China and lived there for 18 years before my family moved back to the United States. After I completed my undergraduate degree at Notre Dame, my global upbringing inspired me to continue my education in the Masters of Global Affairs program.

The culture shock I had experienced moving from Tianjin, China, a city of about a city of 15 million people, to South Bend, Indiana fueled my subsequent passion for urban planning, particularly in the transportation sector. The Master of Global Affairs program gave me the tools and space to reflect on how car-centric many cities in the United States are, and what lessons other global cities could offer to improve multi-modal transportation and pedestrian-friendly urban design.

Both the global experiential learning opportunities, particularly through the Keough School’s Integration Lab (i-Lab), and the emphasis on building skills truly set the Master of Global Affairs apart from other programs I considered. My i-Lab summer experience enabled me to travel to Mexico and India, where I worked with Habitat for Humanity International. The global exposure and insights I gained have continued to inform my work.

Which aspects of the Master of Global Affairs program impacted you the most?

Studying alongside talented and dedicated classmates inspired me professionally and enabled me to foster meaningful personal relationships. During discussions of global case studies, I remember being impacted when my classmates had a personal experience with the topic at hand, such as the Rwanda genocide and refugee crisis. Often, being part of this global community turned what could have been merely an abstract intellectual exercise into a more meaningful and robust dialogue.

In addition, the heavy emphasis on ethics — framed within the context of promoting human dignity — broadened my understanding of public policy as a tool to further physical, social and emotional wellbeing.

What advice do you have for someone who is considering a master of global affairs?

The program provides an eye-opening experience that will expand your outlook on life, regardless of what field you decide to pursue. Developing tangible professional skills and taking part in immersive global experiences will make you a more successful professional and a more well-rounded person.

My advice for anyone considering this program would be to seek out faculty members across the University so that you can benefit from their expertise and perspective. Opening yourself up to new opportunities at Notre Dame will enrich your experience.

Also, explore classes that teach you tangible skills. This will set you up for success as you consider your career path. Whatever skills you pursue, keep in mind that building them now will open many doors down the road.

Master of Global Affairs Program

The two-year master of global affairs degree provides rigorous professional training, close engagement with policymakers, multi-disciplinary faculty and a network of students from around the world, alongside extended fieldwork with global partners working to address global challenges.

Learn More

Originally published by Josh Stowe at keough.nd.edu on April 11, 2025.