Penn State School of Public Policy hosts inaugural Policy Simulation Competition

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Public Policy hosted its inaugural statewide Policy Simulation Competition on March 1 at the newly constructed Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building. More than 50 students from nearly a dozen Pennsylvania colleges and universities attended the event that included a day-long policy simulation and a local government panel discussion featuring Patton Township Manager Amy Farkas and Centre Region Planning Agency Director Mike Tylka. Farkas, 

Tylka and Lilliard Richardson, director of the Penn State School of Public Policy, served as judges for the event.

Students were assigned governmental roles (including prime minister, home office secretary, and minister of labor) from four fictitious countries as part of the simulation, with each "country" being asked to create a plan for a refugee policy crisis while interacting diplomatically with the other nations. The overall goal of the simulation, which was provided by DMS Academy, was to create an interactive environment that allowed students to see the direct effects of their policy decisions.

The panel of judges evaluated each team in four main categories: team collaboration, use of information data, adaptability, and a final policy brief. After narrowing their list to three finalists, the panel selected a winning team of six students: Ashlyn D'Antonio (University of Pittsburgh), Natalie Eberly (Millersville University), Calvin Fullerton (Penn State University Park), Bhavik Katarmal (Penn State University Park), Sydney Merced (Penn State University Park), and Sumana Moosavi (Penn State Harrisburg).

The simulation highlighted the importance of public policy and the need for problem-solving and critical thinking in diplomacy, all while reinforcing the foundational roles that cooperation and collaboration play in shaping effective policy.  

“Working with others, finding solutions to real-world issues, and building a community with those who share your passions are the cornerstones of public policy,” said Dustin Elder, admissions officer for the Penn State School of Public Policy.

The event also provided an opportunity to showcase the new Susan Welch Liberal Arts Building, which is the new administrative home for the School of Public Policy and several other units, centers, and labs in the College of the Liberal Arts.  

“We’re lucky to have a space with the latest technology to host an event like this," said Xiomara Larkin, a master of public policy student and president of the Penn State Public Policy Association. "It was great meeting other students from around the commonwealth who are also interested in making an impact.”

The School of Public Policy plans to make the competition a yearly event.