Afnan Nehela is a second-year MPP student whose career in public policy started in the newsroom. After graduating from UMass Amherst with degrees in journalism and psychology, Afnan explored her passion for journalism as a reporter at the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, a filmmaker assistant at CCTV, and a digital media intern at WGBH World Channel. Her career trajectory took an unexpected turn when she received an opportunity in the government sector. “My job was to hold the government accountable, honing in on whether or not policies were being implemented they were advertised to. I had never considered what it would be like to work from within the system I was critiquing.”
Five years after taking on a communications role in the office of State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Acton), Afnan has risen to Director of Communications and Policy Adviser, spearheading communication strategies on legislative issues focused on criminal legal reform, health care, and civil rights. Working in Senator Eldridge’s office gave her insight into the realities of governance, but she was driven to explore the research and academic frameworks that also influence those policy decisions. The Heller MPP program offered an opportunity to further this knowledge, and, with the support and scheduling flexibility provided by both her job and the Heller faculty, Afnan was able to successfully balance her academic and professional responsibilities.
In addition to gaining a comprehensive understanding of policy, Afnan focused on her primary area of interest, economic and racial equity. “I have always recognized that economic instability is at the root of many issues we face today, so it was important to me to study how policies have historically shaped inequality in economic opportunity and to identify where we can begin to repair that harm.” During the program, Afnan also expanded her knowledge of other areas such as disability and civil rights policy, which proved to her further how interconnected these systems are.
A critical component of Afnan’s time at Heller has been the faculty who have provided support inside and outside of the classroom. “They truly built an inclusive environment that encouraged camaraderie and genuine partnership. They always said, ‘You’re learning from us, but we’re also learning from you,’ and they put those words into action.”
Looking beyond the commencement ceremony in May 2025, Afnan is exploring roles in higher levels of government, public affairs consulting, policy analysis or nonprofit leadership with a particular focus on serving Muslim and Middle Eastern communities. “I feel more equipped to go down different sectors,” she says. “I see this as a way to give back to my community by advancing advocacy efforts that are strategic, data-driven, and politically feasible.”
Her advice for prospective students is to fully lean into all that Heller has to offer, whether it’s attending policy talks and community forums, or connecting with alumni. “It’s a rare opportunity to be surrounded by experts in different areas at once, so be intentional about making the most of your time here, inside and outside the classroom.”