Carsey School of Public Policy

University of New Hampshire alumna Marcy Peterson Carsey, a 1966 cum laude graduate in English literature and the producer of television shows, including The Cosby Show and Roseanne, established the Carsey Institute through a financial gift to the university in May 2002.[1][2] The Carsey Institute was created to address the new reality of families and women, work, and communities in the 21st century.[3]

In 2013, Marcy Carsey gave a second gift of $20 million to the University of New Hampshire to establish a school of public policy. This gift is the second largest in the university's history.[4] In June 2014, Founding Director Michael Ettlinger joined the Carsey School of Public Policy, arriving from his post as senior director at the Pew Charitable Trusts.[5]

The Carsey School of Public Policy produces briefs that present analysis of complex data on pressing issues grounded in real-world conditions and tied to current policy debates.[6] The publications program is at the center of the Carsey School's work and focuses on offering high quality, powerful resources to decision-makers working with vulnerable families[7] and communities.[8] Carsey School publications provide historical perspective, incorporate the most recent data available, and explore policy implications.Current areas of interest include social innovation and finance, vulnerable families, demographics, community and environment, civic engagement, sustainable development, and evaluation. The Carsey School also publishes a variety of briefs specific to New Hampshire, including analyzing changing demographics in rural, northern New Hampshire[9] and examining statewide support for a paid family and medical leave program.[10]

The Carsey School oversees a variety of programs and research centers, including the Center for Social Innovation and Enterprise; Community, Environment and Climate Change; Center for Impact Finance; New Hampshire Listens, and the Vulnerable Families Research Program.[11]

Additionally, the school offers research fellowships to graduate and undergraduate students at UNH. These include the Nordblom, Treat, and Winant fellowships.[12]

The Carsey School offers several graduate degrees, including a Master in Public Policy, a Master in Community Development Policy and Practice, and a Master of Public Administration. Master in Public Policy students can also pursue the following dual-degree programs: Master in Public Policy/Juris Doctor or a Master in Public Policy/Analytics.[13] In addition to its graduate degrees, the Carsey School offers a certificate program in community development finance[14] and public facilitator training through New Hampshire Listens.[15]

New Hampshire Listens is a civic engagement program located at the Carsey School. The program focuses on bringing together New Hampshire residents to talk about issues of regional and national importance. The organization Everyday Democracy serves as a national partner.[16]

NH Listens was developed out of a similar grassroots program called Portsmouth Listens, founded in 1999.[17]

The Carsey School is funded through the support of philanthropic institutions, public and non-profit agencies, individuals, and a founding gift endowed by Marcy Carsey. Some of the school's funders include Ford,[18] Annie E. Casey,[19] New Hampshire Charitable,[20] the New Hampshire Endowment for Health,[21] the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, The Paul J. Aicher Foundation, the Russell Sage Foundation, the Southwest Initiative Foundation,and many other foundations and private donors.[22]