On Friday, October 4, 2019, Heldrich Center Research Associate Liana Volpe addressed new inductees of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy's Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) chapter. PAA is the Global Honor Society of Public Affairs and Administration. The purpose of PAA is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Master's students need a minimum 3.7 GPA to be eligible for membership. Two years ago, Volpe, then a student in the program, was approached by Dr. Andrea Hetling to help establish the school's first PAA chapter; she remains a chapter board member. In her remarks, she challenged the new inductees to "create a lasting network of professionals as we all go on to be leaders and changemakers in the field."

Volpe graduated from the Bloustein School's Master of Public Policy program in 2018, before joining the Heldrich Center's Program Development and Technical Assistance team, where she is working on multiple projects, including helping the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development develop better digital tools for job seekers.