Our students have developed a strong reputation for being generous, service-oriented, passionate, and collaborative.
They come to the program with undergraduate degrees ranging from economics and political science to psychology and music. Regardless of their background, our students share a common goal—a commitment to a service-based career. They are interested in things like increasing the impact of nonprofits, fostering economic development, and creating policy to improve the lives of those in need.
Stacey Tellus
Hometown
Elmont, NY
Undergraduate Major
Criminal Justice at St. John's University
Interests
Sleeping, dancing, and singing
Favorite Food
Homemade mac & cheese
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to change the world. I want to help make the world safe and accessible to all people.
Peter Moody
Hometown
Orem, Utah
Undergraduate Major
Biochemistry at BYU
Interests
Hiking, skiing, and canyoneering
Favorite Food
Beef massaman curry
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to improve on skills that will help me have a real impact.
Quincey McKeen
Hometown
Scobey, MT
Undergraduate Major
Wildlife Wildlands Conservation at BYU
Interests
Reading, playing music, and being outdoors
Favorite Food
Chinese
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to be meaningfully involved in local government.
Henry Ng
Hometown
Provo, UT
Undergraduate Major
Statistics at UVU
Interests
Playing table tennis, reading, and kayaking
Favorite Food
Sushi
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to help communities thrive by using analytics and data.
Shantel Sanders
Hometown
Kingwood, TX
Undergraduate Major
Physiology & Developmental Biology at BYU
Interests
Hiking, swimming, and watching movies
Favorite Food
Yellow curry
Why I’m a BYU MPA
The BYU MPA Program offers courses in hard skills that will help me in my career.
Teresa Hwang
Hometown
Taipei, Taiwan
Undergraduate Major
International Cultural Studies at BYU-Hawaii
Interests
Watching movies, snorkeling, and traveling
Favorite Food
Tapioca pearls
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to help people in developing countries to have a better living standard.
Jazmine Tapusoa
Hometown
Kahuku, HI
Undergraduate Major
English at BYU
Interests
Dancing, shopping, and floral design
Favorite Food
Shave ice and cheeseburgers
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to make an impact for minority communities.
Sarah Curry
Hometown
Rockville, MD
Undergraduate Major
Political Science at BYU
Interests
Cooking, reading, and party planning
Favorite Food
Aloo gobi curry with naan
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to learn how to serve effectively to improve the quality of life of those around me.
Julius Ha
Hometown
Charlottesville, VA
Undergraduate Major
Biology at the University of Virginia
Interests
Singing, listening to music, and eating dinner with friends
Favorite Food
Smoothies
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to tackle global development issues through technology and service.
Jordan Hunter
Hometown
Glendale, AZ
Undergraduate Major
Psychology at BYU
Interests
Reading, backpacking, and learning statistics with R-Commander
Favorite Food
Sushi
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to make stronger, happier communities.
Brea Petersen
Hometown
Cedar Hills, UT
Undergraduate Major
Behavioral Science at UVU
Interests
Playing soccer, eating food, & collecting miniature things
Favorite Food
Curry & fruit
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to acquire the skills to "teach people to fish". I want to empower and liberate others.
Nathan Lambert
Hometown
El Dorado Hills, CA
Undergraduate Major
Exercise & Wellness at BYU
Interests
Hiking, traveling, & playing sports
Favorite Food
Cotton candy grapes
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to help create a healthier America.
Kirsi Jarvis
Hometown
Fruit Heights, UT
Undergraduate Major
Asian Studies at BYU
Interests
Dancing, singing, and laughing
Favorite Food
Pie crust
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to learn how to build sustainable bridges of diversity and unity across the globe.
Aaron Snow
Hometown
Henderson, NV
Undergraduate Major
Geography at BYU
Interests
Swimming, shredding the guitar, and listening to Buckethead
Favorite Food
Avocados
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to empower local governments to become leading environmental figures.
Karuva Kaseke
Hometown
Hebron, KY
Undergraduate Major
Political Science at Berea College
Interests
Playing tennis, listening to podcasts, and cooking
Favorite Food
Meat and tamales
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I want to learn the skills that will enable me to help build cities where everyone feels needed and can contribute.
Melanie Davidson
Hometown
Lehi, UT
Undergraduate Major
Marketing Management at BYU
Interests
Sewing, writing, & reading
Favorite Food
Steak & potatoes
Why I’m a BYU MPA
I like the business environment, but I want to do more than build a bottom line, I want to help people.
Stefani Leyva
Hometown
Trujillo, Peru
Undergraduate Major
Communications & French Studies with a minor in Management at BYU
Interests
Dancing, cooking, and doing make-up
Favorite Food
Peruvian
Why I’m a BYU MPA
The BYU MPA program is a program that does not only help us learn professional skills, but also motivates us to make a difference in society.