Passion for Policy | Temple University

Because undergraduate research opportunities transformed this Temple grad’s career trajectory.

Alvaro Sánchez, CLA ’17, conducts qualitative and quantitative studies that inspire inclusive social policy and strengthen equitable economic development. If it wasn’t for his participation in undergraduate research projects, he may have never discovered his passion for applying data analysis to helping the underserved.

Alvaro Sánchez ’17

Research Analyst, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta

“My work with Dr. Weisberg showed me my love for researching, and the Steinberg study showed me that I really cared about social issues. It was those two things that made me want to dive deeper into being a social scientist.”

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Research as a Roadmap

Sánchez’s interest in research and data analysis was sparked early, when the saxophone-playing, former music education major undertook a study with the Department of Psychology’s Robert Weisberg about cognitive processes, creativity and jazz. For his efforts, he earned a Diamond Research Scholars Program award, which provided him with a stipend to support his research and came in handy during what he described as a financially rough time.

One of his most transformational experiences was the opportunity to assist Laura H. Carnell Professor of Psychology Laurence Steinberg on a study investigating the long-term consequences of formal and informal processing on first-time juvenile offenders.

Analyzing Inequity

In his current role with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Sánchez is tasked with analyzing the economic impact of “benefit cliffs”—when families lose public assistance due to a career advancement, which actually causes them to be financially worse off than they were before.

Prior to accepting his Atlanta position, which he started in January 2022, Sánchez applied his skills at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, where he produced applied economics papers on topics spanning equity, infrastructure, job creation and workforce development.

That’s where he conducted his most significant research to date—a study concerning broadband access and how it is limited for rural and low- and moderate-income communities, particularly in Pennsylvania. The first paper related to the research was published in early March 2020, and with the pandemic looming, it became even more important—and garnered media attention.

Driving his work always, Sánchez said, are the issues that surround “easily forgotten” low- and moderate-income communities.

“I am trying to solve the pervasive inequities related to poverty and economic insecurity, to put it in a nutshell,” he said.

An Urban Incubator

After Temple, Sánchez completed his master’s degree at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice. Staying in Philadelphia for graduate school was important to Sánchez, as was starting his career here.

“I almost feel indebted to this city that’s given me so much,” Sánchez said, referring to the internships he held at the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia and the Chamber of Commerce, and adding that one of the best reasons to go to Temple is its location in Philadelphia.

“Philadelphia provides so many opportunities outside the classroom to apply the knowledge that you’re learning in the classroom,” he said.

Philadelphia’s Only Public Research Institution

As a large, public research university, exploration and discovery of new information is embedded into all disciplines. Temple students can experience research in many ways through coursework, mentorships with professors and independent projects.

Faculty Expertise

As a major national research university, Temple counts among its faculty some of the most innovative changemakers and scholars in the country. They are experts in their fields, actively engaging in research and working one-on-one with students to help them get to where they need to be. Temple is a large university, but our class sizes are small—averaging just 29 students.

Our faculty members are also thought leaders who provide compelling insights into what’s happening in our world right now. These insights are integrated into the classroom, where students grow to become informed global citizens.

R1 Research Classification

Temple is a research powerhouse. We’re an R1 Carnegie Classification institution, which means that we’re operating at the highest level of research activity among four-year universities. Temple is one of only 131 other institutions in the U.S. with this classification. This status helps attract top-tier faculty, who use the latest research in the classroom and call on students to be research assistants. And it enables Temple’s campus to have the most modern, state-of-the-art academic facilities.

Professional Opportunities

At Temple, our students prepare for their next steps long before graduation. Our various undergraduate opportunities—offered on campus, off campus and everywhere in between—afford real-world, hands-on experiences and internships so students gain the skills needed to set themselves apart.

Temple’s location in Philadelphia allows students to take on opportunities year-round in every industry so students can explore their interests and build professional experience easily.

And, more than 800 employers visit campus each year. Our robust alumni network—which includes over 140,000 alumni in the Philadelphia region and 330,000 worldwide—provides even more opportunities for students to receive career guidance and resources.

Philadelphia

At Temple, Philadelphia serves as a classroom for our students. We’re deeply ingrained in the city and we encourage students to take advantage of all Philadelphia has to offer. There’s never a shortage of opportunities for students to work, learn and grow.

As one of the largest cities on the East Coast and a modern center of industry, Philadelphia is rich with culture, history and opportunity. With so many alumni based in the region, students have access to internship and job experiences in one of the many companies and organizations that are based here.