What contributed to your decision to pursue an MPA degree?
Since establishing a career in local government, I always knew I wanted to pursue my MPA, but I kept putting it off. Since most MPA programs were on campuses and I was working full time, I did not think I had the time to spare. However, in 2010, I was in-between jobs and two App State MPA alumni, Steve Wyatt and Chris Koltyk, encouraged me to consider the program. I was planning on moving to Boone to join the on-campus program, when the program director at the time told me about the Winston-Salem cohort, and I began that three weeks later.
Can you tell me about your career path/current position?
I did not always plan on working in local government, I fell into it and then fell in love with it. I was working at a nonprofit in Moore County where I was appointed to serve on the Criminal Justice Partnership Advisory Board. I had never really been a part of local government until I served on this board. The more I worked on the board and learned about local government, the more interested I became. After serving on the Board, I applied for the Day Reporting Center Director position, which became my first county job. A few years later, I became the Child Support Enforcement Director and supervised both programs for four years until I was appointed County Finance Officer by Steve Wyatt, who challenged me and encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. When I began the MPA program, I was commuting to Winston-Salem twice each week, so I started looking for jobs near there. That is when I found the Assistant to the County Manager position in Yadkin County. Shortly after, I assumed the duties as Finance Officer and became the Assistant County Manager, then Deputy County Manager a few years later. I have been the County Manager since December 2014, and this is the best position I have had in 24 years, in the best county.
In what ways has the App State MPA program helped you?
The support from peers in my cohort has been so helpful. The ASULGAA (Local Government Alumni Association) is very valuable and is full of caring people. In addition, the professors and program directors are caring and will bend over backwards to help you.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to individuals considering the App State MPA program?
My advice to those considering the App State MPA program – just do it! Don’t keep putting it off, start with the next cohort. I really enjoyed the cohort because you are with a small group and you stay with that group the entire time. The members of the group are like you, most already working with local government, so you are able to share experiences from each jurisdiction and learn from different people and perspectives.