✨ Your Voice Matters in Shaping Gender Equity in NYC ✨ Join us for Gender Equity Initiatives in New York City: Your Perspective Matters as we mark the 10th anniversary of the NYC Commission on Gender Equity. Hear from the Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector (IGEPS) at...(1/4)

The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with nearly two million people behind bars, and mothers are disproportionately affected, leading to disrupted families, foster care placements, and trauma for children. Melissa Brock, IGEPS Fellow, and Meg Mikuski, Affiliate...(1/4)

📣 New Article Alert ‼️ 📄✨ Read “Gender Equity in U.S. Public Sector Workplaces: A Descriptive Analysis Across Historical Eras” by Meghan Scarlott, IGEPS Fellow, and IGEPS Co-Founders Maria D’Agostino and Nicole Elias. 🔍📊 This article highlights eight key themes shaping progress over time...(1/4)

🧑‍🏫 Faculty assembling syllabi or revising course readings? 📚 The IGEPS–AWPA Reference Tool supports inclusive teaching by curating public administration and public policy resources that elevate perspectives often excluded from traditional curricula. Whether you’re teaching introductory...(1/3)

Women make up just 4% of the U.S. population—but the U.S. incarcerates nearly 25% of the world’s imprisoned women. Since the 1980s, women’s incarceration has surged by 585%, often driven by poverty, trauma, caregiving responsibilities, and low-level offenses rather than violent crime. (1/4)

Meet our new Graduate Fellow Amillion Roberson at the Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector (IGEPs)! Our fellows bring diverse perspectives and research interests—from public policy and nonprofit leadership to digital inclusion and equity in budgeting. (1/2)

With universal childcare on the agenda in NYC, read more about the need and background from IGEPS Co-Founders Dr. Maria D’Agostino and Dr. Nicole Elias found that when child care is under stress, women—especially women of color—are forced out of the workforce. Universal, affordable, and…(1/3)

We are excited to welcome Simone Martin Howard as an Affiliate Scholar with the IGEPS team! Her research and insight on crime and safety, the intersection of public health and criminal justice, and health and social equity will deepen our collective understanding and advance the ...(1/3)

Maria Cedno, IGEPS Fellow, exposes the reality: Latinas earn 57¢ for every dollar a white man earns, largely due to childcare deserts and limited workplace flexibility. Childcare deserts and limited workplace flexibility make it impossible for many to pursue higher-paying jobs. It’s time...(1/3)

In a time of political polarization and uncertainty, this 12 blog series explored what gender equity looks like across public policy, leadership, and practice. In our concluding blog, Ying Liu, IGEPS Affiliate Scholar, underscores that even when progress feels like “two steps back,” sustained..(1/3)

As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begins, we’re highlighting research coauthored by Ying Liu, IGEPS Affiliate Scholar, showing that gender representation plays a protective role in workplace safety. The study finds that when more women hold supervisory roles, incidents…(1/3)

In today’s shifting and polarized policy environment, preparing future public and nonprofit leaders requires approaches that go beyond traditional teaching. In this blog, Professors Michelle D. Evans, Nancy Lewis, and José Luis Irizarry discuss how street-level pedagogy supports students...(1/4)

We're excited to welcome Kit Lee-Demery as an Affiliate Practitioner with the IGEPS team! Her expertise and perspective on emergency management, crisis preparedness, and cross-sector security leadership will strengthen our community and contribute to the impactful work we’re building together. (1/4)

IGEPS Affiliate Scholar @Ying Liu and IGEPS Fellow @Zion DaCosta made an incredible impact at the 2025 Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA). They presented timely and innovative research on gender equity, representation, public policy, and technology, contributing ...(1/2)

In today’s polarized climate, gender, identity, and equity are not just social topics—they are deeply political. Laws and policies that collapse gender into biological sex, restrict identity recognition, or enforce rigid norms are acts of power that shape who can exist, how we engage with...(1/4)

Federal policy shifts often place new responsibilities on state and local governments—but how these costs are covered can have unequal impacts on women. Even when tax laws appear “gender neutral,” women—who disproportionately provide unpaid care and occupy lower-wage jobs—face heavier...(1/3)

Women farm or co-farm 43% of U.S. farmland, yet they remain underrepresented in decision-making roles and USDA programs. Federal policies alone haven’t ensured equity—local governance, grassroots organizing, and inclusive boards are critical to bridging this gap. In this...(1/3)

Don't miss Ying Liu, IGEPS Affiliate Scholar & PhD Candidate at Rutgers University–Newark, Necopa presentation Saturday, November 8th from 9:00 am–10:15 am (Mis)Representation in Miss Representation: An Information Experiment on the Symbolic Effects of Representative Claims (1/2)

Join IGEPS Fellow Zion Dacosta Saturday, November 8th at 10:30 am at the 2025 Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA). She will be presenting her research, “Are Disaster Mobile Applications Gender Sensitive?”, explores how technology and gender intersect in disaster...(1/3)

Federal policies in 2025 threaten to roll back decades of progress toward equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for women and minorities in the public sector. Cuts to federal jobs and the rescission of affirmative action programs risk undermining diversity and representation where...(1/3)

Federal policy changes disproportionately impact women of color and immigrant communities, compounding vulnerabilities around healthcare, reproductive rights, and access to public benefits. Local and state governments, alongside community organizations, are responding with intersectional...(1/3)

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, state-level abortion restrictions have increasingly framed women—and those who support them—as potential criminals. From targeting healthcare providers to friends and family who assist, these laws disproportionately impact women of color and low-income...1/4)

Why do women apply less for certain public sector jobs? Professors Martin Sievert, Dominik Vogel and Matthias Döring investigates how gendered language and recruiter signals in job ads shape applicant self-selection. In the public sector, more feminine wording draws more women into applicant...(1/4)

The Digital Equity Act was a critical federal program connecting millions of Americans to the internet, digital skills, and economic opportunities—especially women and underserved communities. With its sudden termination, states and local governments are struggling to maintain digital...(1/4)

Big thanks to @nycgenderequity.bsky.social (CGE) Carlos Manzano, Brittany Bye and Ashkay Singh for bringing powerful conversations on gender into John Jay College public administration classes!

We’re proud to spotlight Dora Mendez, an IGEPS Affiliate Practitioner, for her nomination to the 2025 Top 50 Over 50 Latinas Awards by UNITED LATINAS! #IGEPSAffiliate #Leadership #RepresentationMatters #HispanicHeritageMonth #LatinasLead #Top50Over50

Recent state-level legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, highlights a critical gap in our understanding of gender equity. Laws restricting healthcare, identity expression, and access to public spaces not only harm...(1/4)

We’re proud to welcome Roddrick Colvin as an Affiliate Scholar with the IGEPS team! His expertise in public employment equity, policing, and LGBTQ civil rights will strengthen our community and advance the scholarship shaping more inclusive and equitable public institutions. (1/5)

We’re proud to welcome Maja Holmes as an Affiliate Scholar with the IGEPS team! Her expertise in public leadership, diversity, and inclusion will enrich our community and strengthen the conversations shaping more equitable and inclusive governance. Maja Holmes is the Director of the School of..(1/5)

We’re proud to welcome Heath Brown as an Affiliate Scholar with the IGEPS team! His expertise in public policy, political science, and governance will deepen our collective understanding and advance the conversations shaping gender equity and inclusive governance. Heath Brown is an Associate...(1/5)

Federal policy shifts can create profound challenges for local leaders—but they also present opportunities to advance gender equity. In her latest blog Professor Dora Mendez, Founder & CEO of Coach Dora LLC, explores how adaptive, equity-centered leadership helps public sector leaders...(1/3)

We’re excited to introduce a new series exploring how state and local governments respond to shifting federal policies—and what this means for gender equity. Our contributors—academics and practitioners alike—will unpack pressing questions, including: - How do federal policy shifts on … (1/4)

We’re excited to welcome Meg Mikulski, MPA-MPP, MSW, to our growing team of Affiliate Practitioners! A recent graduate of John Jay College with dual degrees in Public Administration and Social Work—and a former IGEPS Fellow—Meg brings a powerful blend of policy insight and frontline experience.(1/3)

We're excited to welcome Ying Liu as an Affiliate Scholar with the IGEPS team! Ying is a PhD candidate at Rutgers University–Newark’s School of Public Affairs and Administration. Her research explores key issues in public and nonprofit management, social equity, local governance, and … (1/3)

📚✨ Welcome Back from IGEPS! As a new academic year begins, the Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector (IGEPS) is excited to kick off Fall 2025 with fresh energy, bold ideas, and critical conversations on equity in public service. 🔍 Coming soon: our Fall 2025... (1/3)

Call for Submissions! The Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector ( @initiativeforgeps.bsky.social ) is now accepting contributions for our Fall 2025 blog series: “Gender Equity in Uncertain Times.” We're exploring how shifting federal policies are reshaping gender equity.. (1/3)

The IGEPS 2024/25 Annual Report is here! This report highlights our research, community engagement, and collaborations with students and scholars. See how we’ve been pushing boundaries, making an impact, and setting the stage for an even more exciting year ahead! (1/2)

We’re thrilled to welcome Dora Mendez, Founder & CEO of Coach Dora LLC, to our Affiliate Practitioner team! With 12+ years in executive HR leadership and a powerful voice in DEI, Dora is a dynamic force for change. From Fractional CHRO to Chief DEI Officer, she’s led with bold authenticity… (1/3)

Chapter 8: “Managing Identity Using Emotional Labor in Sex-Typed Public Service Occupations” by Professors Sharon Mastracci and Ian T. Adams explores whether women in male-dominated jobs experience more burnout than men in similar roles and if emotional labor helps explain how both genders...(1/5)

Class of 2025, Congrats! You showed up, pushed through, and made it. Now it’s your time to lead, inspire, and make change. The world is ready for you—go leave your mark. Wishing all the John Jay College graduates a bright and successful future ahead! #johnjaycollege #JJCGrad2025 #JJCGrad #myjohnjay

A Proud Milestone for Our IGEPS Fellows✨🎓 Today we celebrate the incredible achievements of IGEPS Fellows and John Jay College MPA students Erin Sullivan, Meg Mikulski and Emily Kwok as they were officially hooded at the Graduate Hooding Ceremony! As IGEPS Fellows, they've gone above … (1/3)

Exciting News! We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Research Summary Reports! This project is based on the blueprint created by @Dr. Christina Ciocca Eller, Assistant Professor of Sociology - Harvard University, Research Summary Reports, which translate academic research into plain...(1/2)

It’s time to level the playing field. Take action for #PayEquity and help close the #PayGap! Join @powherny.bsky.social and an all-star lineup of leaders, changemakers, and pay equity experts for an urgent and inspiring policy briefing on groundbreaking pay transparency legislation... (1/3)

Erin Sullivan, IGEPS Fellow and MPA Student, @scholars.org brief highlights NYC’s air pollution policies are failing women. Despite decades of environmental regulation, NYC’s air pollution continues to disproportionately harm women, especially Black and Latina women in...(1/3)

Chapter 7: Preventing the Glass Cliff: Understanding and Overcoming Challenges for Women in Public Sector Leadership Roles” by Professors Trang Hoang, Ratna Okhai, Jungmin Hwang, and Meghna Sabharwal, discusses the challenges women face in leadership roles, particularly in male-dominated...(1/5)

Erin Sullivan, IGEPS Fellow & #JohnJayCollege MPA Graduate Student, highlights how NYC’s air policies fail to address the intersection of gender, poverty, and race in environmental harm, leading to a disproportionate impact on low-income women of color.

In today's diverse and rapidly changing world, issues of diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion are more important than ever, yet minorities still face challenges, especially in public service. Chapter 6 : “ Women in the Civil Service of Ghana: Addressing the Challenges of... (1/5)

What happens when religious identity meets public service? In Chapter 5: "Equity, Identity, and Inclusion from a Religious Perspective: The Case of Minoritized and Stigmatized Religion" by Professors Abdul Samad and Shariq Siddiqui explore how U.S. public sector workplaces often overlook...(1/3)

At IGEPS, we’re proud to have collaborated with the Commission on Gender Equity (CGE) to create a timeline that highlights the critical milestones in the pursuit of gender equity in NYC. This timeline highlights key moments in the fight for gender equality and the incredible work that ... (1/2)

Workplace issues related to neurodiverse individuals, such as those with ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, are often overlooked in public sector human resource management. Around 17% of the U.S. workforce is considered neuroatypical, and while this group has faced high rates of...(1/4)