MPA Networking Reflections

MPA Program Reflections

As I sat down to write this week's blog I started brainstorming all the things I wanted to talk about. After my "brain dump", I realized all of these experiences were examples of the many opportunities of networking MPA students and alumni have. To share a few:

During my Data Analysis class this semester, we are working with the city of Dayton, KY on a community engagement survey. As a part of this project we met with Dayton's Mayor Ben Baker, alumni and Historic Preservation Consultant Rosie Polter, and student Brian Lazor. While the class met over Zoom, we were able to meet in small groups with each of these individuals to pick their brain's about this project and to gain any information that we might need. The introduction in class allowed us to begin networking with these individuals from a variety of organizations. 

As I near my last semester, I am beginning my capstone process. Through this process I have been introduced to The Ends of the Earth organization. This organization works with survivors and victims of sex trafficking in India and Nepal, although the organization is based in the United States. I will working on a grant application to help fund the organization's mission. I was able to work on this great opportunity because the capstone coordinator reached out to me about this project. 

Through my Graduate Assistantship, I have been working on an alumni interview series for this blog. I have already shared one interview with Nikki Williams, and I have a couple more interviews to share in the upcoming weeks. Each of these interviews have allowed me the opportunity to network with our alumni and pick their brains about their journey. 

These experiences are not anomalies, just the ones that have happened in the past few weeks. Every time we come to class, attend an event or respond to an email we have the chance to network. The MPA program at NKU has a million opportunities to network and grow.