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Alumni Spotlight Student Spotlight MPA
The Utah State Capitol was unusually quiet in early 2021, even though the legislature’s annual session was in full swing. “There just wasn’t the bustle we usually have,” says Megan Selin Allen, a 2010 MPA alum. “The capitol was closed to the public for the first couple of weeks, and even after it opened, just our interns could be in the gallery. Only representatives, staff, and approved others could be on the floor. We had COVID-19 testing going on every day, and for the first time, some legislators participated via Zoom.”
Jennifer Tinkham, a JD/MPA alumna of the BYU Marriott School of Business, understands the power of a simple smile to change the world.
Since graduating from the MPA program at BYU Marriott, Jackie Suggitt has worked to create a more sustainable future for the planet.
As the current chief administrative officer of the city of Provo, BYU Marriott MPA alum Wayne Parker strives to continually look to the future of the city he leads.
Whether he's working with employees or in an untamed backyard, BYU Marriott EMPA student John Cowgill enjoys helping people and plants realize and cultivate their hidden potential.

Like trees, each person is unique and has different needs. BYU Marriott EMPA alum Ralph Clegg solves problems both in his garden and community by understanding that diversity.

As a second-year BYU Marriott MPA student, Lillian Bradley is acquiring skills that enable her to help citizens of impoverished countries find opportunities for success.

While the COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges for many, few can say it made them to sleep in a sleeping bag on the floor of their office. However, for BYU Marriott EMPA alum Russell Harrington, such a situation was both a reality and a necessity.

As the executive director of the Arizona Board of Regents, John Arnold uses the skills and strategies he learned in the MPA program to facilitate change in Arizona's higher education system.

Discovering your career niche can be difficult, but for Hannah Richards Michaelsen, her role found her. After her family began receiving much-needed support from a nonprofit organization, Michaelsen joined the organiza- tion and began to provide that same service to others.
For Julie Rash, jury-duty service became a catalyst for her work in the Provo School board and education through BYU Marriott's EMPA program.

Driven by a desire to help the people of her country, Vimbai Tembo began her journey from Zimbabwe to Provo by tucking her two children into bed and then lighting a candle to study for the GRE.

For BYU Marriott EMPA student Uati Afele the day starts early and ends late. Although he's juggling many different responsibilities, Afele always aims to serve those around him.

At the age of three, Nick Porter created his own imaginary city with its own made-up language. Now as an adult, he is pursuing an MPA at BYU Marriott with the hopes of one day becoming a city manager.
BYU Marriott EMPA alumna Janine Wood Green loves to learn. With her love for learning and a passion for education, Green moved to China to become a professor of English at Nanjing Tech University.

When Kara Norman Chatterton was young, her BYU alumni parents took her and her five siblings on a pilgrimage to Provo from Idaho every other year or so.
Joining the healthcare field after shooting free throws in front of thousands is quite the change of pace. However, serving others through healthcare transformation is former BYU men's Basketball player and 2016 EMPA grad Anson Winder's newfound passion.
Being a police chief is a challenging position to hold, but BYU Marriott helped prepare Darren Paul, Chad Soffe, and Chris Autry to serve the communities they love.
In 1965, Ken Driggs was in his second year of graduate school. When he wasn't juggling his school responsibilities, Driggs hid his identity as he pulled on the cougar suit and transformed into Cosmo.
As the deputy director for the Utah Department of Corrections, BYU Marriott MPA alum Chyleen Richey helps run a city of people who are forgotten by society.
MPA alumnus Scott Sellers is inspiring national change through his efforts to connect university students to local government.
Not many people stick to the dreams they had when they were five, but Kena Mathews has the opportunity on a daily basis to see her childhood calling to make a difference in the world become reality.
Daniel Villanova believes "great leaders lead their people from among them." As a CIS recipient in BYU Marriott's MPA program, he plans to improve lives through service and leadership.
Inspiration has led Megdalynn Fisher to fight cancer, join the MPA program, and make a difference in the world.