Burning issues

Graduating senior Kylie Tugend of the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration won the 2026 NASPAA Global Student Simulation Competition alongside classmate Sasha Altman. The annual event tasked teams with solving a fictional wildfire crisis in a simulated town, requiring negotiation among assigned roles like emergency managers and politicians. Tugend and Altman, both double majors in environmental studies and 4+1 master’s students, balanced compromise with analytical rigor, earning top marks for their cohesive strategy. Their approach stood out by rejecting emotional appeals in favor of evidence-based solutions. When fictional constituents claimed burning shrubbery would attract beetles, the pair investigated the claims before responding, aligning with Biden School’s emphasis on fact-backed policymaking. Judges praised their ability to unify stakeholders while addressing complex environmental challenges. Tugend’s participation reflects her extensive hands-on experience. She interned in Delaware’s Legislative Hall and worked as a communications fellow in the Jerome R. Lewis Legislative Fellows Program, supporting the Delaware House Majority Caucus. Earlier, she served as a policy intern at the Environmental and Energy Study Institute in Washington, D.C., through UD’s Spring Semester in D.C. program. The competition highlighted UD’s commitment to experiential learning, combining classroom theory with real-world crises. Tugend’s upcoming graduation caps her roles as a Legislative Fellow and IPA Public Administration Fellow, where she contributed to Delaware’s Corporate Collaborative. Her success underscores the school’s focus on preparing students to tackle pressing policy issues through collaboration and data-driven solutions.