Eric Connelly, a 2018 graduate of CSEES' public policy dual degree program, recently co-authored the article "COVID-19 and the American States: Why State Government Matters" in the Oxford Political Review. The article focuses on the importance of state and local politics, in particular in grappling with and solving a complex issue such as fighting COVID-19.

Eric Connelly graduated with a Master of Arts in Slavic and East European Studies from the Center for Slavic and East European Studies and a Master of Public Administration from the John Glenn College of Public Affairs in 2018. Since graduation, Eric has worked as a Policy Associate for Rich Cordray's gubernatorial campaign, as a resident advisor in Moscow, Russia for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Program, as a Legislative Aide in the Ohio Senate, and as a Russian Language Lecturer at Columbus North International High School. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, Eric was a candidate for the Ohio Senate. Eric currently works for the Ohio Senate as a Senior Legislative Aide while continuing to teach Russian. In the future, Eric hopes to pursue more opportunities for public service, to promote international education and to continue his studies of Russia, international affairs and quantitative analysis.