Graduate School: University of Massachusetts Boston School of Nursing

Fellowship: Boston Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement

Project Description: Shelby Mueller worked with the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Advancement and the Office of People Operations during her Rappaport Fellowship, focusing on family-supportive policies for City of Boston employees. Drawing on her experience as a mother of young children, she conducted comprehensive research on two critical areas: paid parental leave and lactation support. Her research examined how Boston’s current paid parental leave policy for city employees compared to peer municipalities across the United States, identifying best practices that could inform potential improvements. Additionally, she evaluated Boston City Hall’s existing lactation support services against evidence-based standards and developed recommendations for enhanced implementation. Her work culminated in presentations to both the Equity and Inclusion Cabinet and Human Resources leadership, providing actionable insights to strengthen the city’s support for employees who are starting and growing their families.