"The University of Dayton Master of Public Administration program affirmed my yearning to have a career in public service and to be part of a cause greater than myself. As a child and young adult, I utilized several social service programs and came across a lot of people who genuinely cared about improving the lives of others. This formed my desire to become a public servant and pay it forward, especially to those who are vulnerable, underrepresented and underserved. I enrolled into the UD MPA program after working at a local city for two years. The MPA program's public policy and management curriculum allowed me to build on my work experience and prepared me for growth and leadership in my career. Today, I’m able to apply the lessons and skills learned in the MPA program in my daily work as a public servant."

"The MPA program at UD set me up for a successful career within the Federal government. Since graduating from UD, I have worked in program management and audit positions under the Executive and Legislative branches. I appreciated that the program included students, professionals, and professors with previous government work experience from different levels of government, non-profits, and the private sector. This brought a unique perspective to the classroom and provided invaluable relationships with other students and professors, which I still have to this day. With the focus on topics such as policy, community involvement, critical thinking skills, and budgeting, a UD MPA equips you for a variety of positions within the government or non-profit sector."

"In the realm of the Public Administration profession, the MPA Program at the University of Dayton provides a wealth of knowledge, perspective, and career development for those seeking to excel in the public and non-profit arenas. I have spent over 20 years working in the public sector in Emergency Services and found this program and course work to be both relevant and engaging. The faculty and staff provides an excellent balance of academics and real world experience. I believe the MPA Program has helped to broaden my perspective, enhance my executive skills, and develop leadership abilities in order to better serve both my organization and this community."

"UD's MPA program has changed my life. I once thought I could not afford graduate school and was afraid of the GRE exam, but UD's program was both affordable and incredibly supportive. Earning my MPA degree opened so many doors to public service. I currently collaborate with over two-dozen school districts to bring employers and major industry into our region's schools. It is incredibly rewarding work that I would not have been able to do without the UD MPA program. The program faculty taught me how to address regional problems with a system-level perspective. I regularly interface with partners from the education and business communities. The MPA coursework prepared me to establish and improve upon these mutually beneficial partnerships. Whether it was an organizational leadership or economic development class, the books we read and the cases we discussed provided context and lessons for the important projects I work on today."