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Alumni Spotlight Employee Spotlight Experience Design MPA
Each fall Peter Ward leads his students as they climb Rock Canyon’s rugged walls. Both in rock-climbing classes or ExDM research classes, Ward teaches students how to interlace academic and spiritual studies.
After 24 years of building an alumni network and forging one-on-one relationships with those in the MPA community, Vicki Okerlund leaves behind a legacy of Christ-centered leadership that extends beyond the workplace.
Two months after Katie Cherrington moved to Maui, the deadliest US wildfire in more than a century struck her family’s neighborhood. In the aftermath of Lahaina’s tragedy, Cherrington has observed a community banding together and has seen principles in action that are taught at BYU Marriott.
Justin Weiss, EMPA alumnus, has lived a life full of unexpected triumphs and hardships that have led to opportunities for personal development.
As an MPA professor at BYU Marriott, Eva Witesman emphasizes to students the importance of unity with one another and the organizations they will work for.
Teaching professor for the Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics Aaron Miller teaches students that future business leaders should focus less on climbing the corporate ladder and more on creating a positive impact in the world.

As an associate professor at BYU Marriott, Liz Dixon reflects on how her father’s example helped her teach and practice Christlike communication.
A conversation Ross Storey had with a stranger on his church mission led him to change his career plans. Storey is now an ExDM adjunct professor and works at the MTC.
After diverting his route to wander into an institute of religion at the University of Oklahoma, Travis Ruddle found a new life and a new path that would one day lead to teaching in the MPA program at the BYU Marriott School of Business.
David Tanner brings the skills he gained through BYU Marriott's MPA program to the state of Georgia, where he consults state leaders, community organizers, and county and city elected officials.
Clark Pew has learned over the course of his life that persistence pays off. The EMPA alumnus now lives in India working for the Department of State.
BYU Marriott alumna Krislyn Powell has a knack for creating connections, whether as a yogi, an administrator, or a volunteer.
Neil Lundberg, the chair of the Department of Experience Design and Management, has witnessed the ExDM program change and evolve.
In December 2022, BYU Marriott alum Scott Adams retired after 30 years of service as the CEO of Pullman Regional Hospital in Washington state.
Larry Walters discovered early in his life that serving others brought him great joy. His love of public service has spread to others and made the world a better place.
As a student at BYU Marriott in the then-fledgling ExDM program, Breck Laing developed transferable business skills to broaden his career opportunities.
At BYU Marriott, seniors are not the only ones looking for a final project. After teaching for 23 years, Brian Hill searched for a capstone to his ExDM career.
Honoree Mick Berry, retired manager of Catawba County, emphasized the importance of changing the world through Christlike leadership at the banquet.
A self-proclaimed "daddy's girl," Ruth Ann Jefferies followed her father into a public service career and has been blazing trails ever since.
BYU Marriott recreation management and youth leadership alumnus Brandon Gilliam can think of few things better than helping young people develop their passions.
Chauma Jansen, BYU Marriott alumna and the executive director of American Indian Services, works to help provide education opportunities to those in her community.
Brooke Bradford, the events and programs coordinator for the School of Accountancy (SOA) at BYU Marriott, helps bring accounting students, faculty, and alumni together.
2005 MPA alum Richard Amon continually strives to help students in their pursuit of higher education.
They never planned to buy a farm. They were just looking for a place to live.