MPA News 

For most people, jury duty is a chore. For Julie Rash, her jury-duty service became a catalyst for years of involvement in the Provo School board, an education through BYU Marriott’s EMPA program, and a life dedicated to public service.

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.

Lori Wadsworth, the director of BYU Marriott’s MPA program, missed only one night of classes during her time as a student in the BYU Marriott Executive MPA (EMPA) program—the night of her son’s birth.

At the age of three, Nick Porter created his own imaginary city with its own made-up language. He may not have realized it at the time, but this activity would ultimately foreshadow his future career path. Now as an adult, he is following his passion and pursuing an MPA at BYU Marriott with the hopes of one day running a real city as a city manager.

Two talented BYU Marriott MPA students recently received the 2019 Doyle W. Buckwalter Award for their accomplishments in their internships. Ryan Lancaster and Theary Leng were recognized at the annual Alumnus of the Year luncheon, where they received their award and a cash prize of $2,000.

Almost twenty years after retiring, BYU Marriott professor Doyle W. Buckwalter’s legacy at BYU Marriott continues to resonate and positively influence the MPA program, and all of BYU’s campus.

Joining the healthcare field after travelling the world and shooting free throws in front of thousands is quite the change of pace. However, 2016 BYU Marriott Executive MPA grad Anson Winder, who was a member of BYU’s men’s Basketball team from 2010-2015, is now finding success working as a category leader and contract manager for Intermountain Healthcare. Winder’s newfound passion is serving others through healthcare transformation, which is a slam dunk.

The frigid wind whips around the young sherpa as he guides a group of foreign climbers through the vast mountain ranges of the Himalayas, heading for the summit. Just as the sherpas in Nepal assist mountaineers, BYU Marriott’s MPA sherpa program helps first-year students on their climb through the MPA program.

Jodi Sandfort, professor at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, exemplified gratitude and humility as she accepted the Gary C. Cornia Lecture Series award 5 December 2019 for her innovative leadership in the field of social policy.

Two BYU Marriott MPA graduates became recipients of the Rumsfeld Foundation Fellowship and received $10,000 along with priceless networking opportunities. Kathleen Nugent from New Paltz, New York, and Megdalynn Fisher from Spanish Fork, Utah, were nominated for the fellowship by their professor, Rob Christensen, and become two of twenty recipients in 2019.

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. The skills, lessons, and experiences these police chiefs gained in the EMPA program provided the tools they needed to be successful in their jobs.

The Romney Institute of Public Service & Ethics honored 1980 BYU Marriott MPA graduate Doral Vance, manager and chief investigator of the Utah State Tax Commission’s Criminal Investigation Unit, with the 2019 N. Dale Wright Alumnus of the Year Award. The award was presented to Vance at the annual alumnus luncheon held at the Harmon Continuing Education Building on 15 November 2019.

Catherine Cooper, associate director for the Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics, is one of four administrative recipients of the 2019 President’s Appreciation Award. The award was presented at BYU’s annual university conference on August 27 and is given to employees who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the university and the values of competency, integrity, teamwork, respect, innovation, and accountability.

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.

The Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business welcomes seven new professors to the Tanner Building this fall.

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.

BYU Marriott MPA professor Jeff Thompson didn't realize the two weeks he and his family spent performing in the Nauvoo Pageant would shape his next research project. His newfound interest in historical interpreters and their purpose for the work they do not only changed Thompson personally, but is also helping him revolutionize his approach in the classroom.

BYU Marriott MPA alumnus Scott Sellers had no idea his education would land him a career in local government. Now he is inspiring change across the country through his efforts to connect university students to the world of civics.

Rex Facer, a leader in prominent human resource research, presidential appointee, and oversea civic representative, has made a significant imprint in U.S. government. Now, this BYU Marriott associate professor of public service and ethics may change the entire organization of Utah County government as he serves as vice-chair of the newly formed Utah County Good Government Advisory Board.

Two remarkable BYU Marriott students were recently recognized for their outstanding performance in their internships by The Doyle W. Buckwalter Award. The winner, Aaron Shirley, and a finalist, Shantel Sanders, were presented with the award and a cash prize at the annual Alumnus of the Year luncheon.