MPA Program at CCNY
Born in Côte d'Ivoire and raised in the U.S., Chukwudi Onike grew up with a keen awareness of global issues and an aspiration for a career in International Development.
To achieve this end, Onike enrolled at the City College of New York (CCNY) to earn a bachelor’s degree in International Studies. While completing his degree, he was selected as a Public Policy Fellow at the Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies. He also completed an internship at the Roosevelt Institute and became a prolific student leader, participating in the Model United Nations and serving as president of the Student Association for International Studies.
To develop his program management skills, Onike returned to CCNY to pursue a Masters in Public Administration (MPA). With support from the MPA’s summer internship program in Washington, DC, Onike served as Congressional Intern for the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Capitol Hill. In his final semester, he completed a research consultancy with the World Bank’s Public Sector Governance practice, focused on capacity building in post-conflict and fragile states to inform the Bank’s efforts in South Sudan.
Onike now works at the forefront of global development as a Senior Associate for the Rockefeller Foundation’s Innovation team. In his role, he partners with governments, nonprofits, and private sector organizations to harness the power of digital technology to improve people’s lives. He hopes to continue his career in social impact at the intersection of technology and economic development.
Onike says: “My experience at CCNY has been invaluable in preparing me for my career. The knowledge and relationships I developed here have made me a better and well-rounded professional and I will always be grateful for it.”