Lillian Peterson: Merging education, experience to transform community support through the Voinovich School

Lillian Peterson’s journey to the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service shows her dedication to creating a meaningful impact in her community.

Peterson, this year’s Harry G. and Bridget S. Hampson Scholarship recipient, is passionate about driving meaningful and challenging work to improve people's livelihoods in her community. The Voinovich School’s MPA Program is helping her merge her expertise by providing her with essential leadership and management skills.

Despite already holding a master’s degree in social work, Peterson is currently pursuing a master’s in public administration (MPA) to acquire essential skills that will enhance her leadership capabilities.

“I had a lot of excellent experience, but I need to know how to create a budget and be an effective manager,” Peterson said. “It was a big leap to start looking for an MPA program, but I think it complements my experience well and it's equipping me with practical skills that help the work I’m doing with the community.”

After spending more than a decade in Chicago at a therapeutic day school for children and adults with autism, Peterson embarked on a new chapter when she returned to Dayton in 2021. Now, Peterson serves as a clinical manager at Dayton Children’s Hospital, where she supervises a team dedicated to connecting families with essential mental health and social services.

A core tenet of Peterson’s professional philosophy is her belief in supporting the teams she leads. She understands that empowering frontline workers enhances the overall effectiveness of the services provided to families.

“I think life is hard and complicated, and it is not usually just a one-issue thing,” Peterson said. “I want to continue supporting the dynamic of families and supporting the team that is working with them.”

Peterson relishes the “puzzle work” of improving workflows and ensuring her team has the resources they need. This commitment not only elevates the quality of care but also fosters a collaborative environment where everyone can contribute meaningfully to their shared mission.

“I appreciate working with and supporting the teams that are doing the direct service,” Peterson said. “I am making their workflow easier and supporting them because it's hard work in any of the settings they face.”

Looking to the future, Peterson aims to leverage her education to further support the vital work being done in Dayton. Through her journey, Peterson exemplifies how a blend of experience, education, and passion can lead to transformative work in public service, inspiring future generations to follow similar paths.

“My experience with the MPA program has helped to build some important skills that I can apply directly within the work of serving families and communities,” Peterson said. “My biggest goal is to continue to be able to serve the community and improve the livelihoods of people here.”