On August 8, 2023 the MPP community gathered to thank former MPP Director, Melissa Binder for all she has done for the program, and to welcome Mike Rocca to his new role as MPP Director.

Dr. Binder has been the director of the MPP since its inception in 2017. The MPP students have been very grateful for Dr. Binder’s knowledge and leadership throughout their policy journeys. She has taught and mentored 20 MPP graduates who work all over the world in policy or evaluation. Most of the MPP graduates have stayed in New Mexico, dedicated to improving the state they love.

Dr. Rocca is an associate professor of Political Science at UNM. His main research interests are campaign spending in US elections; the politics of position taking in the U.S. Congress; and minority representation in Congress. He also served as the Internship Program Coordinator for the department of Political Science and has recently set up a paid year-long internship for MPP students at the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee.

Congratulations to Dr. Binder on her new journey as the Chair of the Economics Department, and welcome aboard the MPP to Dr. Rocca!