Imagine a world where schools are funded, healthcare is accessible and public spaces are vibrant. That's the power of good public policy. It’s the invisible hand that keeps our daily lives from descending into chaos. Navigating this ever-changing world of laws, regulations and resources requires a blend of academic knowledge and real-world experience. Having spent over 25 years working in policy, law and communications, School of Public Policy Lecturer Nancy Lineman expertly leverages her roles as an adjunct professor and associate general counsel for WSSC Water to mold the next generation of policy influencers. Her students get a front-row seat in learning to apply their knowledge and experience to shape decisions that make communities thrive and lives better.
Lineman emphasizes the significance of diverse career experiences, highlighting the value of both idealism and pragmatism in the public policy sphere. “Believe in lofty goals but appreciate incremental progress toward a more just and equal society,” asserts Lineman. By sharing her non-linear career journey, Lineman reassures students that varied experiences can lead to success and emphasizes the necessity of public sector experience “to really understand how the government works and how to influence change to make progress on issues that are important to all of us.”
Drawing from her legal career, Lineman introduces real-world case studies, fostering critical engagement with policy language and its implications. “Many of my students talk to me about wanting to attend law school,” said Lineman. “I do my best to give them a taste of what lawyers often do on a day-to-day basis: make arguments about the meaning of plain English words and their practical implications.” This sparks spirited classroom debates on the nuances of policy language, providing students with a taste of legal practice and emphasizing the importance of precise language in policy documents.
In her curriculum, Lineman requires students each semester to write a policy memo to the president of the Maryland Senate on a topic of their choice. This exercise demands a deep analysis of government roles and culminates in a mock public hearing where students advocate for policy changes. The senate president often engages with the students, providing real-world perspectives and feedback, giving them hands-on experience in policy implementation.
Lineman’s teaching approach includes bringing public leaders and policy experts into the classroom to discuss complex issues such as clean water, sexual harassment, police misconduct and mental health policy. She also shares with students her professional experiences with police misconduct cases, where she defended police department decisions on officer discipline or terminations.
Emphasizing the essence of public service, Lineman shared, “these speakers put into context how important it is that we have thoughtful, passionate people working in the public sector who know how to communicate, collaborate and get something done.”