• How did you select your graduate school and how did it prepare you for your career?
• Work or internship experience during graduate school
• What was the most important or useful course you took in the MPA/MPP?
• Were you a Presidential Management Intern?
• What has been your career path since graduating? What do you want to be doing in 5 years?
• What is the most exciting and/or interesting aspect of your current job?
• Do you feel your MPA/MPP is helping you to “make a difference?” How?
• What advice, if any, would you give to an undergraduate thinking about going for an MPA/MPP?

How did you select your graduate school and how did it prepare you for your career?

> I talked with current managers and found out that Appalachian State had the best program in the state for training to be a town manager. ASU prepared me well for my career by giving me the education needed and the practical experience. I also made many contacts through the program which are invaluable to me in my career. 

Any work or internship experience during graduate school?

> A requirement for graduation was to do an internship working in a local government. I interned with the Town of Troy which exposed me to all facets of city government and city management. This practical experience augmented what I had learned in the classroom to give me the complete training needed to become a town manager.

What was the most important or useful course you took in the MPA/MPP?

> The most important course I took in the MPA program was budgeting. This provided the framework needed to understand governmental budgeting, accounting, and finance.

Were you a Presidential Management Intern?

> No.

What has been your career path since graduating? What do you want to be doing in 5 years?

> I have been the Town Manager in Troy since graduating. In five years, I want to be the manager of a larger town where I can continue to grow in my career and happily raise my family.

What is the most exciting and/or interesting aspect of your current job?

> The job offers a wide variety of daily challenges and responsibilities. Each day is not like the day before and that keeps the job exciting to me.

Do you feel your MPA/MPP is helping you to “make a difference?” How?

> Yes, I feel like I make a difference in my community and I could not be as effective without my education and training in the MPA program.

What advice, if any, would you give to an undergraduate thinking about going for an MPA/MPP?

> An MPA is essential to have the background to be a better manager and to progress in that career path.