Liberal Arts graduate prepares to tackle policy and law

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Dan Bransfield graduated from Penn State earlier this month with a master of public policy degree from the School of Public Policy in the College of the Liberal Arts. He also earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science and a minor in economics last spring through an integrated undergraduate-graduate (IUG) degree program in the College of the Liberal Arts.

Originally from Oxford, Pennsylvania, Bransfield embraced campus life during his undergraduate years, seeking opportunities that reflected both his professional and personal interests. A Schreyer Scholar, he was involved in Lion Caucus, served on the Economics Association research team and represented the Palmer Museum of Art as a student ambassador.

“Lion Caucus was the first club that I really felt passionate about,” Bransfield said. “It sparked my interest in policy and helped shape who I am today as a public policy student.”

His time on the Lion Caucus outreach committee deepened his commitment to advocacy and public policy, ultimately leading him to the School of Public Policy. The IUG degree program allowed him to continue his education, he said, while gaining practical experience in a place he loves.

As a graduate student, Bransfield focused on local policy and governance. For his capstone project, he collaborated with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development to examine ethics in local government across the state.

“When I told the School of Public Policy about my interest in law, they were supportive right away,” he said. “They helped me shape the program to align with my goals and introduced me to others who had taken similar paths.”

Last summer, Bransfield interned with Team Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, working in agricultural policy — a field he had not previously explored. He gained hands-on experience by researching policy topics, visiting facilities and connecting with professionals in the field. He said one of his most memorable moments was attending a board meeting at Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence, where he met Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi and other University leaders.

“It was incredible to see the influence Penn State has,” Bransfield said. “It was a great experience and really underscored how well my public policy and political science degrees — and experiences like Lion Caucus — prepared me to participate in high-level conversations.”

Reflecting on his Penn State journey, Bransfield expressed deep gratitude for the support he received from both the College of the Liberal Arts and the Schreyer Honors College.

“The College of the Liberal Arts does a great job of letting students explore interests both within and beyond their majors,” he said. “Making a positive impact through law has long been a goal of mine, and I can't wait to see how that dream takes shape at Duke. I’m especially thankful to the professors, faculty and peers at the School of Public Policy and Schreyer Honors College who have left me poised to enter law school ready to engage and contribute.”