{"id":49,"date":"2020-09-21T23:09:17","date_gmt":"2020-09-21T23:09:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/mpa\/?page_id=49"},"modified":"2025-01-13T23:06:59","modified_gmt":"2025-01-13T23:06:59","slug":"mpa-alumni","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/mpa-alumni\/","title":{"rendered":"MPA Alumni"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1>Master of Public Administration Alumni<\/h1>\n<h2>2025 Practitioner in Residence<\/h2>\n<h3>March 19-21, 2025<\/h3>\n<p>The Practitioner in Residence Program (PIR) provides undergraduate and master-level students with a practitioner\u2019s \u201cin-the-trenches\u201d perspectives on local, state, and\/or tribal government challenges, leadership, and career development topics that will foster knowledge and competencies necessary for professional success. PIR offers a tangible experience for NAU students and faculty to engage with real-life practitioners who work for local, state, federal, tribal or nonprofit organizations to ensure success in future career opportunities. <strong>To register for public sessions, use the link <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSfiqMtxkxeACaOmwVeAtyhb_kPIGn5UWUVB7PpkNeXUaY-tYg\/viewform?usp=header\">here<\/a>. <\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Sue Brown, Coconino County Manager<\/h4>\n<p>Professional Partner Master of Public Administration (PIA) Practitioner in Residence Sue is in her 27th year with Coconino County, serving twelve years as the Director of Facilities Management and the last three years in the County Manager\u2019s Office. Sue received her BS in Public Administration from Wayne State College in Nebraska and came to Northern Arizona and the NAU MPA program as a graduate assistant in 1988. For Sue, the best part of her career has been working directly with citizens at the local level, and encouraging the standards, principles and growth of the public administration profession.<\/p>\n<h4>Dr. Diana Onco-Ingyadet, Associate Director of Academic Affairs for Yale Young Global Scholars<\/h4>\n<p>Applied Indigenous Studies Practitioner in Residence Dr. Diana Onco-Ingyadet, Associate Director of Academic Affairs for Yale Young Global Scholars, previously served as Assistant Director for Yale&#8217;s Native American Cultural Center and teaches an Ethnicity, Race, &amp; Migration course on Indigenous cultures around the world. She is Navajo, Kiowa, and Comanche, with family roots in Monument Valley, UT, and grew up in Norman, OK. Diana holds a bachelor\u2019s in Applied Indigenous Studies from Northern Arizona University, a master\u2019s in Higher Education from Arizona State University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California focused on Native American student success.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>Jessica Taylor, LCSW<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator Social Work Practitioner in Residence Jessica Taylor, LCSW received her Master of Social Work at Boston College. She completed her internship at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts before moving to Flagstaff, Arizona. She has worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs for eleven years, and currently works as the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator for Northern Arizona VA Health Care.<\/p>\n<h4>Steve Peru, retired Coconino County Manager<\/h4>\n<p>Master of Public Administration (PIA) Practitioner in Residence Steve Peru became Coconino County Manager for a second time two years ago.<\/p>\n<h4 class=\"react-spectrum-RichTextEditor-paragraph\" dir=\"ltr\"><b><strong class=\"react-spectrum-RichTextEditor-text-bold\">Michelle J. McNulty, <\/strong><\/b>Planning Director, City of Flagstaff<b> <\/b><\/h4>\n<p class=\"react-spectrum-RichTextEditor-paragraph\" dir=\"ltr\">Geography, Planning and Recreation Practitioner in Residence Michelle McNulty is a certified planner with more than 16 years of experience working with both the private and public sectors on an array of planning and development projects. She has an in-depth knowledge of transportation and land use planning issues from working on master plans, zoning overlay districts, site selection studies, conditional use permits, zoning map amendments, site plan reviews, due diligence reports, and facilitating extensive public involvement efforts. In addition to authoring numerous master plans and land use entitlements, Michelle often serves as a conduit among multi-discipline teams-which are often composed of engineers, architects, surveyors, planners, and more-to keep project deliverables on schedule and moving forward. Michelle has extensive experience working with local governments, tribal councils, community members and organizations, and Commissions and elected officials.\u00a0 She is an excellent communicator, well- organized, and proactive when it comes to problem solving.<\/p>\n<h2>True leaders in their positions<\/h2>\n<p>For over 25 years, Northern Arizona University\u2019s Master of Public Administration program has helped prepare hundreds of graduates to move on to leadership and managerial roles in the public sector. Meet some of our alumni who are making a difference in their communities and their organizations by solving challenges through analyzing and implementing policy.<\/p>\n<h3>Alumni Stories<\/h3>\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Joanne Keene \u2013 Class of 2011_0\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>Joanne Keene \u2013 Class of 2011 <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<h5>Joanne Keene is the Deputy County Manager of Coconino County, Arizona<\/h5>\n<p>&ldquo;NAU&rsquo;s MPA program allowed me to use my practical knowledge of working in government and combine it with theory learned in the program. An MPA is necessary for moving up in local government, and NAU&rsquo;s MPA helped me <a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/career-opportunities\/\">elevate my career<\/a>.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Jeremy Legg \u2013 Class of 2002_0\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>Jeremy Legg \u2013 Class of 2002 <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<h5>Jeremy Legg is the Special Projects Manager for the City of Phoenix<\/h5>\n<p>&ldquo;I would not be where I am today if it weren&rsquo;t for NAU&rsquo;s MPA program. My work with the professors and fellow students laid the foundation that opened tremendous windows of opportunity. The academics, combined with my internship at Coconino County, put my career on the right track. I love what I do now, make a good living, and feel like I make a difference in the community. My experience with the <a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/pia\/\">Politics and International Affairs Department<\/a> heavily contributed to my success, and I encourage others to explore opportunities here.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Jeremy Floyd \u2013 Class of 2017_0\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>Jeremy Floyd \u2013 Class of 2017 <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<h5>Jeremy Floyd is the Division Manager for Coconino County Public Works<\/h5>\n<p>&ldquo;The <a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/online\/\">Online<\/a> MPA program at NAU gave me the tools I needed to take control of my career. The educators encouraged me to use my work experience to enhance my studies. The <a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/core-courses\/\">content<\/a> is so applicable; I find myself utilizing the skills I obtained from the program daily. The <a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/faculty-and-staff\/\">professors<\/a> were knowledgeable and accessible, which was one of the most important aspects of the program. I owe the past, present, and future of my career to the professors and staff of the online NAU program. Forever grateful.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<!-- shortcode-accordion -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-accordion shortcode-accordion--closed\" style=\"position: relative;\" >\n        <a class=\"shortcode-accordion__trigger\" data-header=\"Alexa Kaumaya \u2013 Class of 2017_0\" href=\"#\">\n      <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__header\">\n          <h4>Alexa Kaumaya \u2013 Class of 2017 <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n          <span class=\"shortcode-accordion__header__arrow\"><\/span>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n    <div class=\"shortcode-accordion__body\">\n        <!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body>\n<h5>Project Coordinator, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System<\/h5>\n<p>&ldquo;NAU&rsquo;s MPA program has allowed me to advance in state government because the program&rsquo;s focus on public policy and theory prepared me to be successful in the public&nbsp;sector.&nbsp; Earning my MPA at Northern Arizona University was one of the best choices for my career.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<p>Find out more about <a href=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/career-opportunities\/\">careers<\/a> for MPA graduates.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-272\" src=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--388x600.jpg\" alt=\"Employment Graduation Trends\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1854\" srcset=\"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--388x600.jpg 388w, https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--194x300.jpg 194w, https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--663x1024.jpg 663w, https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--768x1187.jpg 768w, https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--994x1536.jpg 994w, https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--1325x2048.jpg 1325w, https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/189\/2021\/08\/Employment_Graduation-Trends--scaled.jpg 1553w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<div>\n<!-- shortcode-right-column -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-right-column\" >\n    <div class=\"shortcode-right-column__container\">\n<!-- shortcode-contact -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-contact\">\n    <div class=\"contact-header\">\n        <h3>Advising<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"contact-body\">\n                <a href=\"mailto:Sara Rinfret\" aria-label=\"Advising: Email Address\" title=\"Email Address\">\n            <div class=\"contact-icon-container\">\n                <i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <span class=\"sr-only\">Email:<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"contact-email\">Sara Rinfret<\/div>\n        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<!-- shortcode-contact -->\n<div class=\"shortcode-contact\">\n    <div class=\"contact-header\">\n        <h3>Accreditation and program coordination<\/h3>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"contact-body\">\n                <a href=\"mailto:Sara Rinfret\" aria-label=\"Accreditation and program coordination: Email Address\" title=\"Email Address\">\n            <div class=\"contact-icon-container\">\n                <i class=\"fas fa-envelope\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n                <span class=\"sr-only\">Email:<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"contact-email\">Sara Rinfret<\/div>\n        <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Master of Public Administration Alumni 2025 Practitioner in Residence March 19-21, 2025 The Practitioner in Residence Program (PIR) provides undergraduate and master-level students with a practitioner\u2019s \u201cin-the-trenches\u201d perspectives on local, state, and\/or tribal government challenges, leadership, and career development topics that will foster knowledge and competencies necessary for professional success. PIR offers a tangible experience [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"ring_central_script_selection":""},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/84"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49"}],"version-history":[{"count":30,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":820,"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/49\/revisions\/820"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/mpa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}