Publications

Dear Reader,

On behalf of Cornell Policy Group, I am pleased to present the twenty-fourth edition of the Journal of Affairs.
I have had the pleasure of assisting our analysts in developing and crafting their unique policy ideas during my
first semester as Cornell Policy Group’s Editor-in-Chief. With assistance from our organization’s new executive
board and my predecessor, Henry Han ‘26, this organization’s work continues to distinguish us as Cornell
University’s premier, undergraduate-led policy publication.

This semester’s Journal of Affairs contains thirty-seven policy proposals across our six policy centers. The
Cornell Policy Group’s analysts developed and refined a diverse array of policy ideas, including but not limited
to a youth boxing program in New York City’s public school system, a federal mass timber initiative,
improvements to federal special education requirements, and community-led health equity zones. Every analyst
conducted extensive research and presented innovative solutions to some of the most pressing policy issues
affecting the modern world.

In addition to the incredible work from Cornell Policy Group’s returning members, our new analyst class has
exceeded our expectations with a set of outstanding proposals. The strength of our new analyst training program
and the guidance of our organization’s New Member Educators, Austin Grattan ‘26 and Zain Ali ‘26, equipped
our new class with critical writing and professional skills that will assist them within and beyond Cornell Policy
Group.

Furthermore, I am thrilled to introduce a new chapter for the Cornell Policy Group Journal of Affairs:
“Crossroads.” “Crossroads” contains intersectional policy proposals written by two authors belonging to
different policy centers. By allowing analysts to compose a proposal with a peer outside of their policy field,
Cornell Policy Group aims to reflect real-world policy discourse and promote diverse policy perspectives. I
extend my gratitude to Alix Kerebel ‘28 from the Center for Environmental & Technology Policy and Kimia
Shahriyar ‘28 from the Center for Health Policy for writing a fantastic joint policy proposal discussing syringe
disposal and ecological harm for the chapter’s release. With the exceptional foundation they laid, we hope to
see “Crossroads” continue and develop in future editions.

After a successful semester, I am confident that our members will continue to adapt to and innovate with the
ever-evolving policy landscape. With support from our talented Associate Editors, Center Directors, and
Assistant Center Directors, I look forward to continuing my role as Editor-in-Chief for an additional semester as
we prepare the twenty-fifth edition in Spring 2026.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Cornell Policy Group and this publication. I hope you enjoy reading
our analysts’ policy proposals from this semester.

Sincerely,
Isabela Virginia Wilson ‘26
Editor-in-Chief