Interview with Sydney Gebka

What do you enjoy most about NKU's MPA program? 

Sydney Gebka
NKU Career Services, Administrative Specialist

I am currently in my second semester of the program, and I find that I really enjoy how passionate the professors are about what they do. Even in my online course last semester with Dr. Ahmed, I could tell that she truly loves the field of public administration and that she wants to help her students succeed. With many professors like Dr. Ahmed in the program, I know that their dedication to the field will only help to enhance my experience in the program.

Why did you choose NKU to further your education?
I chose NKU because it was going to be a great fit for me. I also work here on campus full-time in career services, so I have a lot of appreciation for this university. I feel that it is truly a student-centered institution that is continuously finding ways to better serve both their undergraduate and their graduate students.

What had been your favorite class/professor/project so far? Why?
My favorite project so far was actually a research paper we got to write in Dr. Olberding's Foundations of Public Administration course. The topic of my paper focused on the National Park system here in the U.S. and how local governments surrounding National Parks play a role when it comes to sustainability efforts. I really enjoyed this project because it not nly helped me gain more insight in the National Park system, but it also helped me to gain a greater appreciation for local government.

How do topics in the classroom relate to your career/current position?
I currently work in the Career Services office at NKU. Since NKU is a nonprofit/government institution, I feel that there are many topics from within the MPA program that I can use within my own work. For instance, in the Research Methods course, I am currently getting to propose a research project that focuses on career fair success. Since our office manages 4-5 different career fairs each year, being able to learn about the research process and then begin research in this area will help me gain a better understanding of career fairs and how to make them more successful for students.

Do you have any advice for people considering the MPA program?
I don't necessarily have advice, but I would say that the MPA program is a great graduate program here on campus. The faculty and the staff are committed to helping everyone from start to finish, and I definitely feel connected to the department even if I am working full-time while pursuing this degree.