Meet the Co-Editors: Nate Schwartzbauer

Hi all! I’m Nate, and I’m an MBA/MPP dual-degree candidate. After spending last year at Sanford, I’m over at Fuqua this year - but super excited to stay connected to everyone and their awesome work through SJPP!

Q&A with Nate

Where are you from?

I grew up in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area of Minnesota (Sköl Vikings!), but have lived in the southeastern United States for the last 10 years.

What were you doing before Sanford?

I served on active-duty as an officer in the U.S. Army from 2012 to 2021 before arriving at Sanford. I served with some phenomenal people, lived many adventures, and met amazing people from different cultures while serving on a few different continents. I’m very thankful for the experience.

Favorite memory from first year?

Being social with my classmates! I really enjoyed the get-togethers in people’s backyards, Wednesday night trivia, and exploring Durham.

Favorite Sanford class/professor?

You’ll think I’m crazy for choosing a core course, but I thoroughly enjoyed policy analysis with Mac McCorkle. I loved how we analyzed different problems through different usable frameworks. Mac really knows how to apply the theoretical to the tangible. I value any class that changes the way I am able to think about a problem and potential solutions. (Related: ask me sometime about applying physics equations to analyze American foreign policy and strategy….)

What are you most excited about in your second year?

Even though I’m away at Fuqua this year, I’m looking forward to staying connected with my classmates and meeting all the new first years. I’ll be back at Sanford next year, but fully intend to stay involved this year!

Policy interests and what you hope to do after graduation?

I am a policy generalist. I came to Sanford to broadly expand and deepen my policy knowledge. After graduation, I will be launching a “search fund” to locate and acquire a business for sale in North Carolina. From there, I plan to run and grow the business while involving it in the community. I am also interested in local and state politics. I believe the lines are being blurred between business and policy, and local businesses stand to make positive impacts in their communities and states. That’s why I chose to be a dual-degree candidate.

What makes you excited about the Journal? Why should someone submit to the Journal?

The discussion, debate, and (dare I say) controversy of different ideas! I am excited for the Journal to be an accessible medium of exchange for students. We produce a significant amount high quality work. Sometimes, we fall into the trap of just focusing on the next deliverable without pausing to reflect and discuss with others what we have worked on. This is why you should submit to the Journal - get your ideas out there for further discussion, and to gain further insight. I think this is key to becoming a well-rounded policy professional.

I am very excited to stay connected this year even though I’m away, and even more excited to read your work. Happy to be on board as a co-editor (at large)!