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Fairfax County Officials Inspire Schar School MPA Students to Pursue Local Government Careers

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:08:52 +0000

Fairfax County Officials Inspire Schar School MPA Students to Pursue Local Government Careers Andrew J Schappert Wed, 11/05/2025 - 14:08

MPA students listen to Fairfax County leaders discuss careers in local government. Photo provided

Nearly 60 current master of public administration (MPA) students and several faculty members in the Schar School of Policy and Government at �鶹��Ƶ attended the degree program’s annual Local Government Night on November 3 at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, Virginia.

Jim Burroughs, left, and Assistant Chief of Police Eli Cory, MPA ’19. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

The event was organized by more than 10 MPA alumni employed by the Fairfax County government, including several who served as panelists. Dianne Hon, MPA ’19, a victim specialist with the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, led the organizing effort.

The idea, said Associate Professor Jim Burroughs, is to bring MPA students face to face with graduates of the same program who now hold senior positions in local government. It was the 28th time the Local Government Night took place, Burroughs said. It was also his last as he is slated to retire at the end of the fall semester.

The benefits of the meeting flowed both ways as Fairfax County Executive Bryan Hill, who admitted to earning his MPA from a school other than George �鶹��Ƶ, used his time at the podium to highlight the career possibilities available in local government—particularly within Fairfax County. As he went around the room asking students about their postgraduation goals, he offered examples of how their interests and expertise could translate into careers in county offices in fields including finance, economics, law, and psychology.

Those opportunities were further illustrated by in-depth presentations from several county officials, including Deputy Director of the Department of Management and Budget Katie Horstman, who provided insight as to how she and her staff manage a $11.10 billion budget.

County Executive Bryan Hill addresses the MPA students. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

Also presenting were members of the county’s first responder agencies, among them Assistant Chief of Police Eli Cory, MPA ’19; Deputy Director of Victim Services Sarai Rivera, MPA ’24; and Assistant Fire Chief John Walser, who emphasized his department’s need for graduates skilled in data collection and analysis to help firefighters and EMTs continuously refine best practices for saving lives and property.

A second panel introduced Schar School MPA graduates active in the county’s emergency preparedness and response departments. Each shared how current federal challenges—such as furloughs, shutdowns, and budget cuts—affect their ability to deliver services to residents.

The speakers included Assistant Director of Domestic Relations in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Marwa Hajahmed, MPA ’24; Senior Social Services Supervisor with Neighborhood and Community Services Keith Grupposo, MPA ’20; and Management Analyst IV with the Department of Family Services Maha Martin, BA Sociology ’04, MPA ’16.

The evening concluded with a session titled “Reflections: The Impact of the MPA Program on My Career” featuring Dianne Hon, and Enterprise Applications Manager for the Fairfax County Park Authority Yeoanny Venetsanos, BA Biology ’00, who is a current MPA student slated to graduate in December.

Deputy Director of the Department of Management and Budget Katie Horstman manages an $11.10 billion budget. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

“I want to be a more effective public administrator for Fairfax County,” Venetsanos said. “I want to take my management, leadership, and organizational skills and apply them where I can bring value to the organization.”

The MPA program, he added, “is a mile wide and a foot deep—you can see the forest for the trees. It helps because you’re looking at every single service that a government provides.”

For the current MPA students in the audience, the evening was both enlightening and encouraging.

“It was great hearing from so many different county leaders and understanding the various aspects of local government, from budgeting to program implementation,” said Esha Doshi, who works in the county’s Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. “And it was inspiring to have Bryan Hill connect our interests with real career possibilities.”

Dianne Hon, MPA ‘19, left, and Enterprise Applications Manager for the Fairfax County Park Authority Yeoanny Venetsanos, BA Biology ’00. Photo by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

For Jack Potter, BA Public Administration ’25, a fellow in the school’s Center for Energy Science Policy, the evening was about relationships.

“I think every single speaker talked about making connections—getting to know people and forging real relationships outside of work,” he said. “I also learned that Fairfax is a unique county, not just in Virginia but in the U.S., and there are going to be opportunities everywhere—some great opportunities.”

The speakers each reinforced the personal nature of local public administration, a point that was not missed by faculty members.

“It was truly inspiring to hear from local government leaders about what it’s like to work in a setting where your efforts directly benefit your own community and neighbors,” said Associate Professor and MPA Program Director Mirae Kim. “It’s an experience that feels much more immediate and tangible than the broader, often more distant impact of federal service.”

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James N. Burroughs

Mirae Kim

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Study Abroad: From London Halls and Oxford Debates, a Dean-Led Journey to the U.K.

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:33:05 +0000

Study Abroad: From London Halls and Oxford Debates, a Dean-Led Journey to the U.K. Andrew J Schappert Mon, 09/15/2025 - 12:33

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Mark J. Rozell

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Study abroad is an essential component to a well-rounded Schar School education. Beyond the academic credit, traveling the world with professors to meet dignitaries and visit sites of study immerses students in different cultures and ways of thinking. Winter break opportunities are enrolling now. See this website for more information. Below is a story about a summer excursion to the U.K. with a special guest instructor—the dean.

George �鶹��Ƶ students led by Dean Mark J. Rozell, left in cap, visit the Winston Churchill monument at Parliament Square Garden in London. Photos provided

This summer, �鶹��Ƶ students had the opportunity to study abroad under the leadership of Schar School of Policy and Government dean Mark J. Rozell, whose vision and guidance shaped an unforgettable program in London and Oxford—two of the world’s foremost centers of politics and academia.

The program brought together rigorous coursework, immersive learning experiences, and transformative opportunities that extended well beyond the classroom.

Studying governance in London meant walking through the halls where history has been made for centuries. Visits to University of Oxford’s historic colleges brought politics vividly to life, as students experienced the very places where the ideas they studied were first debated and refined. In fact, Schar School students one evening participated in an Oxford-style debate with students at Goodenough College, the residential community in central London that was the scene of afternoon classes and dinner events.

“This trip pushed me out of my comfort zone,” said Lillian Mullins, who is in the Schar School’s Master of International Security program. “It challenged me to debate important issues, think more broadly, and understand multiple sides of an argument.”

A major component of the experience were insightful lectures by faculty from University College London and distinguished speakers at dinners, followed by traditional evening “port talks” over fortified red wine at Goodenough College.

Organization Development and Knowledge Management student Christine Adwoa Dua, right, and Dean Rozell, left, pose with Goodenough College dean Alan McCormack ahead of dinner in the Great Room of the postgraduate residential community.

“Immersing myself in Dean Rozell's world of U.S./U.K. politics was a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Christine Adwoa Dua, a master’s student in the Schar Organization Development and Knowledge Management (ODKM) program. “As an ODKM student, my purpose has always been to seek environments that encourage knowledge exchange and inspire transformation. From guest lectures and guided tours with subject matter experts to off engagements with Schar School peers, I was able to expand my network while reinforcing my commitment as a change facilitator.

“I look forward to continuing this trajectory for the remainder of my program and beyond within this community.”

Dua was not the only traveler to make lasting connections.

“Not only did I learn more than I ever thought I would about international relations, but I was also able to connect meaningfully with folks across different walks of life using Dean Rozell's instructions as a jumping off point,” said Ashbury Sunshine Lindsey-Hernandez, a student in the College of Education and Human Development’s Master of Education in Counseling program. “It was an incredible jam-packed trip.”

Experiences such as walking the streets of the city with former Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Lyons, facilitated through Rozell’s refined network, were once-in-a-lifetime moments that exemplified the caliber of access and experiences Schar School study-abroad programs provide.

The U.K. program not only delivered unparalleled academics and history, but also the relationships and global insights that define George �鶹��Ƶ’s increasingly expanding international reputation.

Writer Juliet Touma is a student in the Schar School’s Master of Public Administration program.

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Organization Development and Knowledge Management

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South of the Border, Deep in Policy: Study-Abroad Students Tackle U.S.-Mexico Relations in the Field

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 14:01:12 +0000

South of the Border, Deep in Policy: Study-Abroad Students Tackle U.S.-Mexico Relations in the Field Andrew J Schappert Mon, 07/07/2025 - 10:01

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Derek M. Mills

Michal McElwain Malur

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George �鶹��Ƶ’s study-abroad cohort visits the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México’s landmark Central Library. Adjunct professor Derek M. Mills is at right. Photo provided

You could feel the weight of geopolitics in the air as 15 �鶹��Ƶ students stepped onto the worn stone of the Plaza of Three Cultures, where centuries of conquest, revolution, and resilience converge. The students weren’t just tourists with backpacks and bottled water. They were emissaries of inquiry—and there would be a quiz.

Over a weeklong intensive in Mexico’s bustling capital, the students—most from George �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar School of Policy and Government—immersed themselves in the multifaceted knot of issues that define United States-Mexico relations. The students were eager to see firsthand elements of theory learned in classrooms: Migration, trade, national security, and the still-rippling effects of a second Trump administration.

“Throughout the program, students were encouraged to approach the experience not merely as observers but as engaged policy analysts,” said Derek M. Mills, the Schar School adjunct professor who led the trip. “The course, U.S.-Mexico Relations in the Age of Trump, provided an experiential lens into the historical, political, and economic complexities shaping bilateral ties.”

The group took deep dives into policy briefings with diplomats at the U.S. Embassy and with business leaders at the American Chamber of Commerce. They sat in on discussions at the Mexican Federal Congress and exchanged ideas with their counterparts at the prestigious Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

They weren’t just studying policy. They were living it.

A highlight was meeting Schar School alum Jose Loyola-Trujillo, who earned his PhD in public policy in 2005. Loyola, once Mexico’s undersecretary of energy, is now head of international affairs for LIGA MX—the top-flight Mexican soccer league.

Students also visited Casa de los Amigos, a migrant shelter that pulls no punches in portraying the human cost of border enforcement.

Another stop took the students to a nonprofit dedicated to empowering marginalized, refugee, and forcibly displaced people and families by means of a range of support programs. In fact, meeting the staff at New Comienzos “and hearing from returning migrants was inspiring to see how resilient they are and how that connects to the deep ties between Mexico and the United States,” said Jackie Tuala, a master’s student in public administration. “It was my favorite visit.”

There were lessons in history and humanity at every turn—from the pyramids of Teotihuacan to the testimonies of deportees. But there was also room for forward-looking policy dialogue.

In Cuernavaca, south of Mexico City, the group met with the Secretary of Tourism Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, who didn’t mince words about how U.S. political rhetoric affects Mexico’s global image. When U.S. media parrots terms like “rapists” and “murderers,” the official said, the damage isn’t abstract—it costs Mexico tourist dollars, jobs, and dignity.

Students also toured AirDesign and FloraPlant—two export-focused companies where the granular details of tariffs, supply chains, and sustainability initiatives became tangible.

“The trip brought the issues we study in class to life. I loved how everything—from policy debates to cultural sites—was tied together,” said Stella Lovelady, a master’s student at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

As the Trump administration 2.0 begins to cast long shadows over cross-border cooperation, the students came away with a clearer, more nuanced perspective, as well as a deeper sense of responsibility.

“Experience is crucial to our students’ professional development as future public, private, and nonprofit leaders,” said Michal McElwain Malur, Schar School’s external program director, who accompanied the students for the week.

“By engaging directly with these issues on the ground, they build the kind of informed, empathetic understanding that will shape them into thoughtful leaders in our increasingly interconnected world,” she said.

Study abroad is a vital and highly recommended component of a Schar School education. Questions on future classes can be directed to McElwain Malur at mmcelwai@gmu.eduand be found on the Schar School of Policy and Government Study Abroad page.

Students visit the U.S. embassy in Mexico to gain insights into the life and work of a diplomat. The students were briefed on issues of the day and saw in real time what they studied in classrooms. Photo by Ibis Perez.

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PhD Public Policy

Schar School Student Spotlight

Examining Transnational Security Issues: A Schar School Study-Abroad Experience in Costa Rica

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 19:48:17 +0000

Examining Transnational Security Issues: A Schar School Study-Abroad Experience in Costa Rica Andrew J Schappert Mon, 04/07/2025 - 15:48

Schar School students visit Costa Rica’s Monteverde Cloud Forest to assess the impact of illegal deforestation and wildlife trafficking. Photos provided.

During this year’s spring break in March, 25 �鶹��Ƶ students, many of them graduate students at the Schar School of Policy and Government, traveled to Costa Rica for an immersive study-abroad program focused on transnational security—tackling complex issues such as human trafficking, migration, environmental crimes, and the illicit drug trade.

From left, student Hannah Townley, Salazar, and Pardo-Herrera.

Led by international development scholar Camilo Pardo-Herrera, PhD Public Policy ’19, and in partnership with Costa Rica’s Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) University, a network of social sciences academics founded in 1957 by UNESCO, the program combined academic coursework with real-world exposure to transnational security challenges affecting Latin America and the United States.

The program began in the Costa Rican capital of San José, where students attended sessions analyzing the role of globalization in transnational crime, the economics of illicit markets, and the regional security policies shaping migration patterns. A key theme was the link between organized crime, corruption, and governance, with case studies illustrating how illicit financial flows sustain criminal enterprises.

After traveling to Monteverde, students explored environmental crime and conservation policy, visiting the Monteverde Cloud Forest and Selvatura Park to assess the impact of illegal deforestation and wildlife trafficking. Discussions focused on how environmental degradation fuels security threats, from resource conflicts to displacement. These site visits reinforced classroom discussions on how governments and nongovernment organizations combat illegal environmental activities while balancing economic development.

From left, international development scholar Camilo Pardo-Herrera, PhD Public Policy ’19, who led the trip, FLACSO Costa Rica Director Karla Salazar, and student Sarah Bissell holding her FLACsO certification of completion.

The journey continued to Arenal, where students examined the relationship between ecotourism and security policies. Through group discussions, they assessed how tourism can be leveraged to prevent illicit activities while promoting sustainable development.

Reflecting on the program, tour leader Pardo-Herrera praised the students’ engagement and enthusiasm.

“Students approached each topic with curiosity and dedication,” he said. “Seeing them connect academic theory with field observations was exciting. This experience not only deepened their understanding of transnational security but also prepared them to think critically about global solutions.”

Morian Bailey, a student in the Schar School’s master of public administration program, highlighted the value of diverse perspectives within the traveling cohort.

“The best part of this study abroad was how culturally diverse my classmates were,” she said. “Everyone had different viewpoints from their respective programs, and it was great to engage with them.”

Kayla Maxey, a senior from George �鶹��Ƶ’s School of Integrative Studies, shared that the trip was academically stimulating. “We physically went to see where the things we learned took place,” she said. “I can't wait to apply what I learned to my degree and career.”

With the support of FLACSO Costa Rica, this study-abroad experience provided a unique opportunity for students to analyze security challenges from multiple perspectives. By the end of the course, participants left with a deeper understanding of policy responses to transnational security issues—knowledge that will shape their future academic and professional pursuits.

Author Sarah Bassil is an international securities master’s student at the Schar School of Policy and Government.

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Strategic Direction

A Working Mother’s Triumph: Juggling Parenting, Career, and Master of Public Administration Courses

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:46:18 +0000

A Working Mother’s Triumph: Juggling Parenting, Career, and Master of Public Administration Courses Andrew J Schappert Wed, 08/28/2024 - 08:46

During her four years as a Master of Public Administration student at �鶹��Ƶ's Schar School of Policy and Government, Dana Staley held down a fulltime job, survived a global pandemic, and became a mother, in addition to the ample reading and writing required in a master’s program.

Dana Staley: ‘I appreciated that I was able to participate in classes in the evening so that I could still work full time.’

A year later, Staley, who graduated in 2023, has sage advice for those facing similar trying circumstances.

“If you find yourself in an impossible season of juggling too much and not knowing when rest will come again, keep going,” she said. “Keep pushing, surprise yourself, and don't be afraid to ask for help. The end will come, and it will be so worth it!”

That was her message in a recent LinkedIn essay that caught the eye of one of Staley’s former professors, Associate Professor of nonprofit studies Mirae Kim, who vivid recalls Staley’s ambition to complete her degree, not to mention her dedication to her family.

“I could never forget her,” said Kim, who teaches in the Schar School’s Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise. “She was one of the most engaged students in my recent semesters at George �鶹��Ƶ.”

When Staley enrolled in the master’s program in 2019, she was working full time as the director of programs at a small nonprofit in Washington, D.C. Two years later, still deep into her studies and with a 9-month-old, she landed a position with Auxilio Partners as a nonprofit business consultant.

“I lead a team to support 15 different nonprofits nationwide in finances, human resources, risk management, compliance, and board governance,” she said, adding that her firm does the backend work “so that the organizations can focus more on their mission.”

While Staley was an exceptionally devoted student, the Schar School’s graduate programs are attractive to early- and mid-career professionals for many reasons, including location, flexibility, and higher education specialists to rely on for support. In Staley’s case, online conferences with professors were key to her success.

Dana Staley, ‘Mom with a master’s’

In fact, “I had [online] office hours to get support on an assignment,” Staley said. “I sat at my kitchen table, got on Zoom with my professor, and had my 4-month-old, Kai, in a baby bouncer next to me. It’s an image that will never be erased from my mind: All of my responsibilities tied into one simple memory.”

The success is summed up in the slogan on her favorite mug: “Mom with a master’s.”

Kim, who recalls that Zoom session vividly, understands the need for assistance beyond the classroom, as do other Schar School professors.

“It is not simply the instruction they appreciate, but when they feel supported, students are empowered to engage more,” she said.

“I appreciated that I was able to participate in classes in the evening so that I could still work fulltime,” Staley said. “I also enjoyed that many of my classmates were also working, so there were a lot of real-life experiences shared in the classroom. The professors were excellent and balanced the task of challenging us as students while understanding we all had many other responsibilities we were juggling.”

Staley closes her LinkedIn essay with this:

“Being a mom, being a student, being a professional—those are all experiences that, in their own right, are difficult...But as I look back, I am proud of what I accomplished and am forever grateful for my husband, family, friends, coworkers, and professors who cheered me on through it all.

“By the way, that Nonprofit Financial Management class has become invaluable in my work today!”

In This Story

Mirae Kim

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MPA, Not MLB: Adjunct Professor Craig Fifer’s First Pitch at the Nationals Game

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 02 Aug 2023 18:32:49 +0000

MPA, Not MLB: Adjunct Professor Craig Fifer’s First Pitch at the Nationals Game Andrew J Schappert Wed, 08/02/2023 - 14:32

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Schar School graduate and adjunct professor Craig Fifer is flanked by National’s pitcher Joe La Sorsa and mascot Screech after delivering his ceremonial first-pitch. Photo by Alex Perry.

Fifer poses next to a sign indicating his approximate first-pitch speed. Maybe. Photo by Yael Krigman.

Craig Fifer has been a season ticket holder for Washington Nationals games for 19 consecutive years, since 2005 when the team relocated from Montreal. Remember Vinnie Castilla and Brad Wilkerson? Fifer does. He was in his seat in rickety RFK Stadium for those early seasons when those were the top players, before the advent of palatial-by-comparison Nationals Park and the emergence of MLB all-stars Bryce Harper and Juan Soto.

As a reward for his continued indulgence, the Nationals invited him to take part in the time-honored tradition of throwing the ceremonial first pitch of the game. The call came on the Thursday before a Tuesday game as he was headed out of town—not a lot of time to hone his splitter, but Fifer said yes.

Fifer is a 2008 graduate of the Schar School of Policy and Government’s Master of Public Administration Fellows program, a degree program designed for mid-career professionals employed by regional governments. At the time, Fifer was four years into a position with the City of Alexandria, beginning as a manager and working up to director of communications and public information.

In 2021, Fifer was loaned to Governor Ralph Northam’s administration to serve as director of intergovernmental affairs for the Commonwealth during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign. He is now special advisor to the commissioner of the Virginia Department of Social Services, an agency of some 1,600 employees overseeing 11,000 human service workers throughout the state.

“I think it certainly helped,” he said. “I sometimes think the purpose of a graduate degree is to demonstrate a commitment to a profession. Mid-career public servants with the drive to pursue MPAs are also likely to distinguish themselves at work in other ways that earn promotions, so it all fits together.”

After graduating from the fellows program, Fifer was repeatedly invited by faculty members to give guest lectures to MPA courses. That led to his appointment as an adjunct professor in 2019. He’s preparing now to teach his eighth semester in a class called Ethics for Public Administrators. “I love teaching and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back after a great experience as an MPA student,” he said.

Back to baseball: With limited time to get his curveball to groove, Fifer “read every article on the internet about how to throw out a ceremonial first pitch,” he said. He managed to practice a little with friends and by July 25, the day the Nats were to face down the Colorado Rockies, he was good to go. Sort of.

Nationals’ player Joe La Sorsa played the role of catcher, Screech the bald eagle mascot served as umpire, and Fifer took the field in front of the pitcher’s mound, which was still covered with a tarp from the 90-minute rain delay that preceded his pitch.

“I had been practicing a high arc [throw], because everybody tells you don’t pitch in a straight line or you’ll hit the dirt,” he said. “My goal was that the catcher did not move his feet.”

And?

“I blew it. I pitched very straight. It hit the dirt. But the catcher was super nice and made me seem like Babe Ruth. He signed the ball and was very gracious. It almost makes it worse that’s he’s actually a pitcher.”

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Schar School News for August 2023

Reunion of MPA Fellows Celebrates 20 Years of Educating Public Leaders

Jessica Bates — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 14:21:18 +0000

Reunion of MPA Fellows Celebrates 20 Years of Educating Public Leaders Jessica Bates Thu, 06/22/2023 - 10:21

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James N. Burroughs

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Attendees of the Northern Virginia Public Service Fellows reunion. Professor James N. Burroughs is near the center in red tie.

A few minutes before guests arrived at the Cabrera Global Center at �鶹��Ƶ’s Fairfax Campus, Schar School of Policy and Government Associate Professor James N. Burroughs glanced down at the RSVP list for the evening. “Twenty years of memories are on this list,” he said wistfully.

The occasion was a reunion of graduates of the Northern Virginia Public Service Fellows program, a Master of Public Administration degree program led by Burroughs and designed for mid-career professionals employed by regional governments. Applicants are nominated and sponsored by their employing agency and vetted by a panel of public human resources managers before acceptance.

The goal of the degree is to prepare tomorrow’s local government leaders with specific skills for key roles in a wide range of agencies. Graduates include chiefs of police, budget directors, equity and inclusion officers, environment officials, mental health administrators, public safety and courts managers, and state legislators, among other positions. (Three recognizable names include District of Columbia Police Spokesman Dustin Sternbeck, Fauquier County Sheriff Jeremy Falls, and Virginia State Senator Jeremy S. McPike [D-Prince William].)

Class of 2024 cohort members pose with their professor: From left, Marwa Hajahmed, probation officer and mediator for Fairfax County’s Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court; Burroughs; Yousri Ben Slimane, code enforcement supervisor for Arlington County; and Jennifer Poppino, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue battalion chief.

Those graduates are doing well, not just for themselves but for the public they serve: A 2019 survey by news outlet 24/7 Wall Street calculated that five Northern Virginia jurisdictions led by cohort graduates were in the top 20 best places to live in the country.

More than 50 graduates attended the June 16 reunion, with members ranging from Cohort No. 2, from 2004, to Cohort No. 16 (Cohort No. 18 starts in late August). More than 300 have graduated from the program since its inception, in class sizes ranging from 15 to 25.

“What’s remarkable is the classmates end up as friends,” Burroughs said. “They become a support network for each other as they advance in their careers.”

“The friendships endure after graduation,” said Darcy Kipp Kim, director of outpatient services for HCA Healthcare and vice president for alumni engagement with the �鶹��Ƶ Alumni Association. “This is much more than a community service commitment. It has been the best part of my professional life.”

Mallory Stribling graduated with Cohort No. 16 in May and recently began a new position as director of management and budget for Fauquier County. She was wrapping up her studies when she was interviewed for the position that serves a growing suburban and rural population of about 75,000. The MPA degree and the insights she was gaining from the classes were topics of conversation during the comprehensive interview process, she said.

Burroughs with Thea Pirnat (Class of 2019) and David Prinat (’16). David is a police officer with Fairfax County; Thea will be sworn in as chief of police for the Town of Leesburg in August.

“It was a huge part of my interview, talking about all the courses and the leadership skills that I gained,” she said. “And truly, it was the confidence I gained from the program over the last 3 years that, I think, prepared me to step into the role.”

And what was her favorite part of the MPA program?

“The cohort,” she said. “The relationships we formed. I’m very close with people from different jurisdictions,” even to the point of “pulling in one of my cohort classmates to help solve a recent county issue.”

During his remarks, Burroughs admitted to being genuinely touched by the reunion and the ongoing relationships among the classmates and himself.

And as it happens, Burroughs is a graduate of the program he leads. He graduated from �鶹��Ƶ with an MPA degree in 1994.

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Center on Nonprofits Philanthropy and Social Enterprise

Soto-Harmon: Schar School Alumna Named Leader of National Conservation Nonprofit

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 16:59:15 +0000

Soto-Harmon: Schar School Alumna Named Leader of National Conservation Nonprofit Andrew J Schappert Tue, 06/06/2023 - 12:59

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Alan J. Abramson

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Lidia Soto-Harmon: She hopes to connect fellow MPA grads ‘to the work we are doing to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders.’

When Lidia Soto-Harmon graduated from �鶹��Ƶ in 1991 with her Master of Public Administration degree, she knew her education had “set the stage for me to become an effective leader,” she said.

She wasn’t kidding: Soto-Harmon’s resume spans decades as she’s served with public-facing organizations including the Fannie Mae Foundation, literacy nonprofit First Book, and the President’s Interagency Council on Women established by President Bill Clinton. In addition, she spent 18 years at the regional council for Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, including 12 years as the chapter’s CEO.

But most recently, the Schar School of Policy and Government alumna was named the next president and CEO of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), a national conservation nonprofit founded in 1957 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, that provides hands-on environmental conservation programs to more than 2,000 youth and young adults each year.

Speaking of her time at �鶹��Ƶ, Soto-Harmon, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, said that her Schar School degree provided “a comprehensive understanding of the tools needed to thrive in the nonprofit space and make an impact.”

Her conviction to shape the future of nonprofit leadership is self-evident: She chairs the MPA Advisory Council at the Schar School and returned to �鶹��Ƶ during the pandemic to teach a graduate-level nonprofit management seminar.

Now at the helm of one of the largest conservation nonprofits for youth in the country, she said she’s looking forward to connecting “MPA students at George �鶹��Ƶ to the work we are doing to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders.”

The admiration between alumna and alma mater is mutual.

“The Schar School's MPA program is very proud to call Lidia Soto-Harmon an alumna and wishes her well in her new position at the Student Conservation Association,” said Alan J. Abramson, director of the Schar School’s Center on Nonprofits, Philanthropy, and Social Enterprise. “The association is fortunate to have this smart, passionate, warm leader as its new executive.”

Soto-Harmon received the 2014 Wayne F. Anderson Award for Distinguished Public Service from �鶹��Ƶ, an honor reserved for those dedicated to “embodying the spirit of public service.”

If you’re interested in what a Master of Public Administration degree could do for your career, click here.

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Schar School News June 2023

Irish MPA Student Grace Furlong Helps �鶹��Ƶ Take First in Women’s Track & Field

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 09 May 2023 17:24:20 +0000

Irish MPA Student Grace Furlong Helps �鶹��Ƶ Take First in Women’s Track & Field Andrew J Schappert Tue, 05/09/2023 - 13:24

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Grace Furlong and the �鶹��Ƶ Women’s Track & Field team racked up another A-10 championship.

Congratulations to Schar School of Policy and Government Master of Public Administration student Grace Furlong for contributing to two No. 1 placements in �鶹��Ƶ’s A-10 Women’s Track & Field Outdoor Championship. The Patriot women finished first overall at the University of Massachusetts last weekend. This is the women’s fifth time winning the outdoor championship and the first since 2019.

As you may recall from our October profile (see it here), Furlong is not only a 3.89 GPA master’s student with volunteer positions at Washington-based foreign relations agencies, but she’s also Irish, a native of Waterford, making her one of the few grad students who is also a scholarship track champ.

Last weekend, Furlong was the long jump champion, with a leap of 6.02 meters, and her teammate Henrike Fielder won silver with a 5.96 meter jump. The Patriots swept the triple jump, led by Dhiambi Otete, whose 12.77 meter leap equaled a facility record. Furlong and teammate Kelsey Sebwe set personal bests, taking the silver and bronze at 12.67m and 12.49m.

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Athletics