MPA Alumni Spotlight: Whitney Morrisette

1. What did you enjoy about being an MPA student?

My experience as an MPA student at NC State has been an enriching and rewarding journey. I have enjoyed not only my professors, but the diverse group of students that I have had the privilege of studying with. Being around people with so many different backgrounds and experiences has been intellectually stimulating. It is nice being surrounded by people who genuinely care about public service and how to address pressing issues and contribute to the betterment of their communities.

2. Is there anything you have experienced in the program that has helped you become a better public servant? If so, what was it?

Absolutely! Coming out of this program I feel I have a better grasp on the policy process, effective communication, and most importantly, ethical decision making. This program puts a lot of emphasis on group work and collaboration, which I appreciate considering public administration often requires collaboration.

3. What was your favorite part of the MPA Program?

My favorite part about the MPA program was the engaging courses and faculty expertise. For me, usually having 2-3 classes a week from 6:00-8:45 p.m. after work could be extremely draining, but the class discussions and material kept me stimulated.

4. What do you find to be the most interesting, or challenging, part of public administration?

The most interesting is dealing with such a variety of fields. It requires an understanding of economics, politics, law, sociology and how these all tie in together. It can be challenging because many issues are so complex it makes the issues that public administrators face quite difficult at times.

5. What advice do you have for those considering a career in public administration?

Really understand the field. Know that you are pursuing a career in public service and that should always be on the forefront. If you want to be a public administrator, you have signed up for a lifelong commitment to learning and will be dealing with constantly evolving issues, so it is important to stay informed.