How Real-World Experience Enhances Your MPA Education
July 23, 2024
Learning from professionals with real-world experience can make a difference in your public administration career. You'll get the perspective of someone who has "been there," with insights for navigating the public sector and confronting common challenges in the field.
Faculty mentors like Gary Allen bring extensive experience to Ohio University's Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs. In addition to completing the Executive MPA in 2019, he is the workforce development administrator for the Ohio Department of Veterans Services and an instructor of Public Human Resource Management in the Online MPA program.
"I can draw from my education and workplace experiences to help students understand the role of human resources in government policy," he said. That type of faculty mentoring is the bedrock of OHIO's MPA community, where you can benefit from the real-world experience of instructors, peers and visiting leaders at the forefront of public administration.
OHIO's Faculty Members Bring Extensive Real-World Experience to the Classroom
In OHIO's Executive MPA and Online MPA programs, the faculty mentors tap into real-world experience to enhance each lesson and assignment. They currently hold leadership positions at nonprofits and governmental organizations throughout Ohio, helping them understand the knowledge and skills MPA students must develop to thrive in the field today.
In his workforce development role, Gary regularly engages employers across a wide variety of job sectors to promote the benefits of hiring military veterans. He also has more than a decade of human resources experience, which he can apply to link course concepts to scenarios students will encounter during their careers:
"Students come from diverse backgrounds, and I'm ready to help them understand what to expect from human resource administrators. Because I have experience in this field, I can give real-life examples of human resources within governmental and nonprofit organizations."
OHIO's small class sizes heighten the impact of faculty mentoring, as you can receive personalized guidance for your specific career goals. Thanks to the faculty's experience in professional settings, they can empathize with students juggling a full-time job and a graduate program to accommodate special circumstances when assigning projects and setting due dates:
"Our faculty mentors have a firm grasp on what our students are experiencing with their workload demands and barriers they face," Gary said. "So, we understand and work with you so that you're successful in your MPA program and life while you complete it."
Advance in Public Administration
Join a Community of Experienced Professionals
The instructors aren't the only people with real-world experience in OHIO's MPA programs. Here, you'll become part of a diverse community of students working across public administration, enabling you to learn among professionals willing to champion one another's success in class.
"You'll take classes with students with impressive backgrounds in fields that interest you," Gary said. "OHIO offers a learning environment where students are resources for each other and benefit from one another's work experiences."
This environment allows you to learn from students who bring subject matter expertise to group projects and build your professional network while earning your MPA. These connections close a gap for students who may not have mentorship programs at their current jobs, as classmates can provide tips on confronting challenges, making workplace transitions and more.
For Gary, these relationships have been quite helpful since he completed the Executive MPA program:
"I have maintained mentorship with other MPA students because we can be resources for one another and share our subject matter expertise. They've helped me make inroads at organizations for my role at the Department of Veterans Services, and I've used my human resources background to help students make connections for job opportunities."
Hear the Perspectives of Public Administration Leaders
A notable aspect of the Executive MPA is learning from guest speakers with real-world experience at the top of their field.
"Our guest speakers are high-ranking professionals, including government administrators, elected officials and leaders of nonprofits and businesses," Gary said.
A third-generation veteran of the U.S. military, Gary recalled that a standout speaker during his program was Maj. Gen. John Harris, Jr. As the adjutant general of Ohio, Gen. Harris leads the Ohio Army National Guard and the Ohio Air National Guard.
"Gen. Harris came in uniform to speak about the programs the Ohio National Guard has implemented and how the university facilitates the GI Bill®," Gary said. He added that administrators from throughout state government have spoken to MPA students, sharing insightful lessons about their journeys to leadership positions:
"When you hear from our guest speakers, you can learn from their successes as well as their challenges. They are open about rough patches they have faced, and their resilience is very inspiring."
These speakers add value to the program by offering points of view that demonstrate the real-world implications of the course material. Not only that, but the program can foster connections between these leaders and the MPA student community.
"You're able to make connections with guest speakers, with the opportunity to follow up with them during your career," Gary said.
Expand Your Career in Public Administration
In OHIO's MPA programs, you can take classes taught by experienced faculty, forge lasting connections with working professionals and learn from the perspectives of established leaders. This environment makes it easier to access support for grasping concepts and establish a professional network that contributes to your success.
If you're interested in joining other aspiring professionals in courses taught by faculty with real-world experience, pursue your Master of Public Administration at OHIO. You can choose from two program options to study in the format that fits your needs:
- Executive MPA: Complete online and face-to-face classes, attending class one Saturday per month at the Dublin campus for 20 Saturdays over the two-year program
- Online MPA: Take flexible courses designed for working professionals and tailor your degree to your goals by seeking one of three concentrations
No matter the option you select, you'll prepare for public administration careers at a nationally recognized university that emphasizes public service and leadership. Request information to learn more.
About Gary Allen
Gary Allen is a citizen-airman with over a decade of experience in human resources. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, Gary continues to serve in the Ohio Air National Guard and is a workforce development administrator at the Ohio Department of Veterans Services. After completing the Executive MPA program through OHIO's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, he became an adjunct instructor in the Online MPA program.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.
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