Graduate Student Reflections: A Discussion with Alex Wheatley '16 *20 and Nathan Eckstein '16 *20 (initial segment)
In the hallowed halls of Princeton University, two scholars, Alex Wheatley and Nathan Eckstein, are making their mark in the Scholars in the Nation’s Service Initiative (SINSI) Graduate Program. This prestigious program supports students committed to careers in public service and national security fields, offering merit-based scholarships and fellowships to encourage talented individuals to serve the nation through government or related public-sector work.
Alex Wheatley, with a focus on quantitative analysis and development with a minor in health, is using his MPA in the Woodrow Wilson School to analyze hospital data from a few years, aiming to inform a vaccine rollout by understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. His undergraduate work also involved quantitative analysis, with a thesis exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics of a virus' activity in Mexico.
Nathan Eckstein, on the other hand, entered Princeton thinking he was interested in a career in public service. After an internship with an embassy abroad confirmed his interest, he applied for SINSI and was accepted. His research in the Woodrow Wilson School focuses on synthesizing large amounts of qualitative and/or quantitative data into easily-digestible formats. In the policy realm, good research often needs to answer the questions, "Why do we care?" and "How do we make this actionable?". Nathan is currently in Field 1, International Relations, which matches his undergraduate studies and career interest in U.S. diplomacy.
The SINSI program offers more than just financial support. It provides a unique environment that encourages leadership development and community involvement beyond academics. Students spend two years pursuing an MPA in the Woodrow Wilson School and two years in a SINSI fellowship with an executive branch department or agency. The transition from undergraduate to graduate school was refreshing for both Alex and Nathan, with small cohorts, opportunities to learn from classmates, and a practitioner's perspective in seminars.
SINSI scholars also engage actively in university governance and advisory roles related to public affairs. They participate in admissions committees and advisory roles at Princeton’s School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), indicating a strong integration of scholarship with leadership and community engagement within the university.
Nathan Eckstein's undergraduate thesis was 125 pages long, but much of the data-work he did in the Wilson School would have been lost on a policy-maker. The Woodrow Wilson School is unique among policy schools for its focus on quantitative analysis, making it the perfect place for Nathan to hone his skills and make his research actionable.
Alex Wheatley and Nathan Eckstein's reflections on the fellowship component of their SINSI experiences will be discussed in a future interview. Nathan mentioned that good research sometimes has to compete with policy-makers' and principals' pre-held assumptions and doesn't always win. However, he remains committed to using his research to inform policy and make a positive impact.
The SINSI program is more than just a scholarship; it's a community of scholars dedicated to public service and national security. It's a place where students like Alex Wheatley and Nathan Eckstein can grow, learn, and make a difference.
In the realm of education and self-development, Alex Wheatley and Nathan Eckstein, SINSI scholars at Princeton University, are leveraging online education and lifelong learning to analyze data and inform policy decisions, particularly in the areas of public health and international relations. Through the SINSI program, these scholars are not only receiving financial support but also cultivating leadership skills and community involvement, aiming to make a positive impact in the nation's service sector.
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