Publications

Dear Reader, 
 

On behalf of Cornell Policy Group, I am pleased to present the twenty-fifth edition of the Journal of Affairs. 
 

I have had the pleasure of continuing to assist our analysts in developing and crafting their unique policy ideas 
during my second semester as Cornell Policy Group’s Editor-in-Chief. With assistance from our organization’s 
Associate Editors, Center Directors, Assistant Center Directors, and the entire executive board, Cornell Policy 
Group’s work continues to distinguish our publication on and beyond Cornell University’s campus.  
 

This semester’s Journal of Affairs contains 36 policy proposals across our six policy centers. Cornell Policy 
Group’s analysts have proposed several unique policy initiatives, including but not limited to a state-level 
justice reinvestment framework, a legislative amendment aimed at encouraging Americans to pursue career and 
technical education, and modifications to the Medicare Advantage risk-adjustment payment eligibility system. 
Each analyst’s research provides groundbreaking and timely policy solutions to some of the most critical issues 
affecting our world.

 
Cornell Policy Group’s new analyst class continues to impress our entire organization with their innovative and 
thoughtful policy proposals. The continued dedication of our organization’s New Member Educators, Zain Ali 
‘26 and Enrico Hernandez ‘28, equipped this semester’s class with key analytical and professional skills that 
will assist them within our organization and in their future careers.

 
Furthermore, I have been pleased to oversee the further development and expansion of the Journal of Affairs 
chapter “Crossroads.” This nascent section of our publication contains intersectional policy proposals written by 
two authors who are members of 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. This semester, “Crossroads” includes three joint policy proposals spanning four 
policy centers. I extend my gratitude to the six analysts whose work has made this second release memorable.  
 

As a graduating senior, this semester also marks my final semester serving as Cornell Policy Group’s Editor-in-Chief. I first joined the organization as a sophomore in the Fall 2023 semester and became an analyst for the 
Center for Foreign Policy. As a student who had recently transferred into the College of Arts & Sciences to 
study Government, Cornell Policy Group was a welcoming, like-minded student community that helped me 
understand policymaking beyond the classroom. Over the past three years, I have had the honor and pleasure of 
watching our club grow and producing our publication in various capacities. Thank you to Cornell Policy 
Group, particularly the Center for Foreign Policy, for entrusting me with these responsibilities and making my 
undergraduate career an experience I will never forget. 

After another successful publication, I am confident that our organization will continue to evolve with the 
world’s dynamic policy ecosystems. With support from Cornell Policy Group’s next executive board and team 
of editors, our organization will certainly publish an outstanding twenty-sixth edition in Fall 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