Education
Education
Department of Public Administration
North Carolina State University, 2026 (expected)
Raleigh, NC
Dissertation Title: Strategic Inclusion in Governance Networks
Committee: Dr. Branda Nowell (chair), Dr. Graham Ambrose, Dr. Jerrell Coggburn, Dr. Kathy Colville (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Topic: Network and collaborative governance, strategic inclusion, network diversity, network outcomes
Sacred Heart University, 2021
Fairfield, CT
Concentration: Nonprofit management
Northeastern University, 2011
Boston, MA
Major: Music with Concentration in Music Industry
December Student of the Month, peer-nominated award for exceptional research, dedication, and leadership in the department, Graduate Association of Public Administration, North Carolina State University
GSA Conference Award, $1,500, Graduate Student Association, North Carolina State University
Paula Cothren Global Scholarship, $1,265, School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), North Carolina State University
Additional Conference Travel Award (IRSPM), $400, Department of Public Administration, North Carolina State University
Conference Travel Award, $500 (ASPA), Department of Public Administration, North Carolina State University
Conference Travel Award, $500 (PMRC), Department of Public Administration, North Carolina State University
Conference Travel Award, $250 (SECoPA), Department of Public Administration, North Carolina State University
Conference Travel Award, $1,500 (PMRC), Department of Public Administration, North Carolina State University
Scholarship with Research & Teaching Assistantship, est. $140,000 (2022-2026), Department of Public Administration, North Carolina State University
Gold Medal of Excellence, Master of Public Administration, College of Arts & Sciences, Sacred Heart University
Outstanding Master's Performance Award, Master of Public Administration, College of Arts & Sciences, Sacred Heart University
Blau, N. R. Y. “Network diversity and governance outcomes.” Public Management Research Conference (PMRC). June 4-6 in Washington, D.C.
Taylor, C., Blau, N. R. Y., Sanchez Rangel, E., Obiol, M., Nowell, B., & Kim, S. “Mapping complexity: Overcoming methodological challenges to studying system-oriented networks of complex phenomena.” International Research Society for Public Management (IRSPM), April 7-9 in Bologna, Italy.
Blau, N. R. Y. & Nowell, B. “Bureaucratic Design and Cross-Boundary Governance in Addressing Wicked Problems.” American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), March 28-April 1 in Washington, D.C.
Blau, N. R. Y. & Nowell, B. “Institutional resilience in disasters.” Public Management Research Conference (PMRC). June 26-29 in Seattle, Washington.
Blau, N. R. Y. “Support for the arts, support for resilience: Considering the arts for disaster resilience & recovery.” Southeastern Conference for Public Administration (SECoPA), Governing for a Resilient Future. September 27-30 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Nowell, B., Steelman, T., Dickens, A., Blau, N. R. Y., & Gilmore, J. “Winners and Losers? Exploring pluralism in perceptions of the outcomes of network governance.” Public Management Research Conference (PMRC). June 27-30 in Utrecht, Netherlands.
“Collaborative Governance Activation and Evolution.” Public Management Research Conference (PMRC). June 27 in Seattle, Washington.
Cohort Representative, Ph.D. Advisory Committee (PAC)
VP of Communications, Graduate Association of Public Administration (GAPA)
Professional Development Chair, Graduate Association of Public Administration (GAPA)
Ph.D. Student Peer Mentor
Reviewer, Academy of Management (AOM) Annual Conference
Reviewer, Academy of Management (AOM) Annual Conference
Reviewer, Academy of Management (AOM) Annual Conference
Reviewer, Academy of Management (AOM) Annual Conference
Volunteer, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Annual Conference
Academy of Management (AOM) member, 2025-present
ASPA Section for Complexity and Network Governance (SCNS), 2025-present
Public Management Research Association (PMRA) member, 2024 - present
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) member, 2019 - present
Office of Research & Sponsored Programs
Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT
2017 - 2022
Texas Center for Educator Excellence
Region 18 Education Service Center
Austin, TX
2015 - 2017
Endeavor (formerly William Morris Endeavor and WME-IMG)
New York, NY
2013 - 2015