Feature Stories 2025: Maryana Sawaged '21: "Policy is about people"

When Maryana Sawaged ‘21 moved from Jordan to Colorado at age 10, she couldn’t have imagined she’d one day be shaping national policy on Capitol Hill. Now a Senior Policy Advisor to Congressman Pete Aguilar, Sawaged says the path that brought her here was anything but straightforward. 

"I didn’t start out in public policy—I started out in science. I spent four years working on anatomy and physiology. I wasn’t horrible at it, but I wasn’t great either," she laughed. 

"By my senior year, I realized medicine wasn’t for me. I wanted to engage more with people and systems, not just data in a lab." 

In undergrad I struggled with competitive in-person classes. But online, I thrived. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. I loved every course. And the best part was that everything I learned felt real and useful.

Finding her direction 

After college, Sawaged began working for a nonprofit that focused on hunger and food insecurity, a job that showed her the deep connection between social issues and policy. 

“It was really hard to see families struggling to feed their kids. I met people who used to be executives at big companies and had lost everything. It made me realize how quickly life can change—and how much of it comes down to public policy.” 

“I started looking into public policy programs, but most were so expensive. I didn’t want to take on $50,000 per semester in debt. UMass Dartmouth’s online MPP program stood out—it was affordable, flexible, and it fit the way I learn.” 

A learning experience that clicked 

Sawaged enrolled in the public management concentration, mixing in environmental policy courses from the UMass Dartmouth MPP Program. For the first time in her academic life, she felt like her education was aligned with how she learned best. 

“In undergrad I struggled with competitive in-person classes. But online, I thrived. I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. I loved every course. And the best part was that everything I learned felt real and useful.” 

That practicality became clear once she started her required internship on Capitol Hill. 

“The way we were taught to write memos in the MPP program was the exact same way congressional staffers do it. I remember thinking, ‘Someone here must’ve gone to UMass D.’ It was such a cool realization.” 

Turning lessons into impact 

Sawaged’s internship opened doors to advance her career. She first joined Senator Michael Bennet’s staff, then Senator Patty Murray’s Appropriations Committee team—one of the most powerful committees in Congress. 

“Even as a junior staffer, I was invited into meetings. I wasn’t leading meetings yet, but I absorbed everything—how decisions are made, how people negotiate, and how power actually moves.” 

One moment stands out vividly in Sawaged’s memory. "A few tribal governments came to us saying they weren’t getting enough technical assistance for fish recovery programs. I was new, but I flagged it because it felt important,” she recalled.  

“That conversation eventually led to $300 million in funding for salmon restoration. It taught me that even the smallest voice can spark big change.” 

“Policy is about people” 

Now, as a senior policy advisor to Congressman Pete Aguilar, Sawaged covers agriculture, trade, financial services, and commerce. She spends her days drafting policy memos, working with stakeholders, and helping secure millions in funding for community programs. 

“It’s a lot of writing and a lot of meetings, but it’s fulfilling, Policy is about people. When it works, you see it in schools, in clean water, and in families’ lives.” 

She credits her success to the solid foundation she built at UMass Dartmouth. 

“Even though I was an online student, I met with professors and career counselors. They helped me rewrite my resume, prepare for interviews, and gave me the confidence to go after these roles. Being online doesn’t mean being on your own.” 

Advice for future policy leaders 

Sawaged’s outlook is humble and grounded. 

“I may not know exactly where the wind will take me, but I know I want to keep serving and making a difference. I also want to have time for friends and family. That balance is important,” she said. 

For anyone considering a career in public policy, she offers heartfelt advice: 

“If you choose this path, take it seriously. The choices you make can affect millions of people for decades to come. Do it because you want to help people, not because you want power or recognition. If that’s your motivation, this isn’t the space for you.” 

From Jordan to Colorado to Capitol Hill, Sawaged’s story is proof that when compassion and education meet, one person’s purpose can ripple across not only communities, but generations. 

Maryana Sawaged '21: "Policy is about people"

close

Previous Next