Past Cohorts

Class of 2023

Chloe Baldwin

Chloe Baldwin

Alumnus: University of Arkansas
Degree: BSW Bachelor of Social Work
MPA Class of 2023

I have always been passionate about building strong communities and serving my neighbors and friends. This passion led me to complete my Bachelor's in social work and immediately start working for a non-profit agency. While I enjoyed non-profit work, it made me realize the immensely positive impact local government can have on a community. This opportunity to be a Marvin Andrews Fellow is an honor and I am overjoyed to explore the world of local government management through the research we will be conducting, and by learning from experienced leaders in the field. I look forward to a meaningful career in public service managing effective programs that create more equitable communities, and I am confident this fellowship will prepare me to do so.

LaTisha Gilmore

LaTisha Gilmore

Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degree: BS Criminology and Criminal Justice
MPA Class of 2023

As a member of the Navajo Nation, I’ve always felt compelled to work with my tribal community and help strengthen its community services, programs, and infrastructure while also incorporating cultural values. I have seen firsthand what resources, tools, and support can do to enable a person to advance action and justice in their community. Seeing the positive change that one person can do has inspired me to further my education and experience in the public service sector. As one of the best Master of Public Administration (MPA) programs in the country, I believe that ASU will provide me with the tools and resources needed to grow as a leader. I chose to be a part of the Marvin Andrews Fellowship because it allows me to research and apply best practice solutions to the real world. Serving as a Marvin will allow me to connect with like-minded individuals and professionals across the state and country. I am excited to learn more about city and local government management, and most importantly, I look forward to creating positive change and solutions for the future.

Madalaine McConville

Madalaine McConville

Alumnus: University of Wisconsin-Stout
Degree: BS Applied Social Science, History, and Political Science
MPP Class of 2023

I come from a small rural town in Wisconsin, where I graduated high school with only 31 other classmates. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a degree in Applied Social Science, I took a year off from school and worked at a local law firm as a paralegal. Through my undergraduate career and working in the legal profession, I learned that I wanted to be a part of impactful and effective change for people and communities. Having the opportunity to experience and research innovative ways to help people was one of the many reasons why I was interested in becoming a Marvin Andrews Fellow. Additionally, coming from a small town, I learned the impact local governments can have when run effectively. I am thrilled to use my passion for helping people in the Marvin’s Fellowship and in practice training to become a local government professional. I am beyond thankful and humbled to join a legacy of public servants working to make their communities better places for everyone.

Brock Schroeder

Brock Schroeder

Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degrees: BA Anthropology and BS Political Science
MPA Class of 2023

I am an ambitious and dynamic young professional from Apache Junction, Arizona. My enthusiasm to serve as a Marvin Andrews Fellow is unbridled. Local government piqued my interest because it allows me to create tangible change and work with all parties to generate solutions. Becoming a “Marvin” was step one towards that goal, as this fellowship will educate me and grant me access to a collective network. A collaboration that can help me to put my idealism to use. As the fellowship guarantees a hands-on experience like no other. This experience is one that I am proud to be a part of, as I am joined by so many good-hearted people. I am honored and humbled to accept the fellowship, which will provide to me the knowledge and connections necessary to make an impact in the communities I reside in, as well as neighboring communities.

Class of 2022

Stephanie Zamora

Stephanie Zamora

Alumnus: University of Arizona
Degree: BA Anthropology and Linguistics
MPA Class of 2022

My name is Stephanie Zamora and I’m from the West Valley. I graduated with a BA in Anthropology and Linguistics from the University of Arizona and have dedicated the beginning of my career to work in the nonprofit sector. I am excited to be part of this program as I shift and transition my career into the governmental sector. It is so great to connect with you all here and can’t wait to meet my fellow Marvins this summer! I am beyond elated for this opportunity and the connections it will foster with you all as well as professionals in our community. 

Ben Williams

Benjamin Williams

Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: BA English
MPA Class of 2022

I’ve worked within the private sector, served in the military, and volunteered in many organizations throughout my life, and I have seen the absolute power that arises from being unified and working toward a shared vision. I’ve worked with high-caliber leaders who care for their teams, and are invested in causes far greater than themselves, and have watched organizations thrive under their leadership. The right leaders make all the difference. The Marvin Andrews fellowship has built a network of those leaders, and I have witnessed its total unity toward the vision of building intelligent, dynamic, experienced city managers who will shape the future of our cities and towns. The collective experience, heart, and investment in community within this network makes the Marvin Andrews Fellowship a powerful agent of change, and I’m honored and humbled to have been invited into this incredible and diverse group of individuals. As a Marvin Andrews fellow, I am gaining the tools needed to help me become a force for good and leave a lasting impact as a public servant.

Samantha Corrales

Samantha Corrales

Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: BS Public Management
MPA Class of 2022

My passion for public service stems from the opportunity to make a direct impact in my community and the Marvin Andrews Fellowship prepares me to do just that. The fellowship cultivates the next generation of leaders in public service through professional development and it’s nationally recognized legacy. The opportunity to research best management practices from across the country and to implement my findings as I set forth into my career will be an instrumental component to my professional growth. In addition to this, the fellowship allows students to learn from current leaders while experiencing collaborative conferences that lead to building an expansive network within the field. Through this enriching opportunity, I am excited to learn more about city management and to use the tools that this fellowship offers in order to make a positive difference in the community that I serve. 

Greg Whitney

Gregory Whitney

Alumnus : University of Arizona
Degree: BS Public Management
MPA Class of 2022

Over the last four years I have been able to focus my educational and career paths towards serving local communities throughout Southern Arizona. I believe that one of the most impactful ways I can help foster growth and improvement in my communities is by working through local government. Receiving the Marvin Andrews Fellowship will allow me to be better prepared to serve the communities I work in, helping me to implement changes with lasting positive impacts. Through this fellowship, I will be able to be immersed in the research and planning that goes into management and implementation at the local level. Being able to connect and learn from numerous professionals working in local government management is a tremendous resource that will allow me to further develop my interpersonal and critical thinking skills. Combined with my studies from Arizona State University’s MPA program, these skills will help me develop into an effective local government professional. I am both grateful and excited that I have been afforded this opportunity to better serve the communities I work and live in.

Class of 2021

Regan Jepson

Regan Jepson
Alumnus: University of Arizona
Degree: B.S. Public Health
MPA Class of 2021

Being a recipient of Marvin Andrews Fellowship is an exceptional opportunity and privilege. Students who go through this enriching experience can expect to be fully prepared to work in the realm of local government while initiating a career in public administration. Through the fellowship, I will be able to expand my critical knowledge base and application of policy in cities, earn hands-on experience working in city government, receive invaluable mentorship from urban government leaders, and witness the execution of best management practices. Notably, this fellowship will also present chances to network with current and future leaders around the city, state, and country, and learn about exciting and innovative approaches to city government. As a Marvin Andrews Fellow, I anticipate a future well-equipped to contribute to the functioning of local government, and to continue a legacy of transparency, civic engagement, and city improvement, which are pivotal to creating public value through the most impactful approaches.  

James Johnson

James Johnson
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.A. Urban and Metropolitan Studies
MPA Class of 2021

Humans’ greatest inventions are cities—they are the fire that tempers the tools of civilization. Now more than ever, there’s a need for innovation and competency in city government, and the Marvin Andrews Fellowship produces just that. This fellowship partners public administration research with applied front line experience in city government. Each year, the Marvin Andrew Fellowship places students in valuable internships and surrounds them with experts in the field to facilitate their growth. I plan to use the knowledge gained through my undergraduate degree in Urban and Metropolitan Studies from ASU to conceptualize policy. Finishing my MPA through this fellowship will put me in the best position to help my community and provide my career in city government with a solid start. Improving the lives of the people I serve is my greatest motivation for becoming a “Marvin.”

Trey Nilles

Trey Nilles
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.S. Finance
MPA Class of 2021

 Joining the Marvin Andrews Fellowship program offers the perfect stepping stone to hone my passion for local government and improve the communities in which I serve. Working through the Alliance for Innovation provides the ability to learn not only about a broad range of issues facing municipalities, but also witness the innovative solutions that are being developed and implemented to solve challenges. Being part of the Marvin Andrews Fellowship connects you to incredibly accomplished local government managers throughout Arizona as well as past Fellows who are making impacts in communities across the United States. Being able to utilize and learn from these resources while studying at Arizona State University’s highly ranked MPA program will further develop and prepare me as a local government professional. I am tremendously fortunate and excited to be able to work alongside talented and passionate individuals and hope to soon serve the vibrant communities in which I was born and raised.

 Aneyssa Romo

Aneyssa Romo
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.S., Public Service & Public Policy
MPA Class of 2021

Growing up in the Phoenix Metro area, I feel a connection and responsibility to strengthen the place I call home. I believe that by working in local government, I can do that because of government’s direct impact and community accessibility.  I chose the Marvin Andrews Fellowship at Arizona State University because of its nationally recognized work in empowering the next generation of local government leaders. Through the opportunity to rethink local government at ASU’s Alliance for Innovation research center and serve as a Management Intern in a local city, I will be exposed to best practices in the field and actively put what I have learned into practice, better preparing myself for public management. I believe the personal and professional development opportunities available through the Marvin Andrews Fellowship will allow me to be a greater asset to my community, ultimately fulfilling my public service goals.

Class of 2020

Stella Carr

Stella Carr
Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degree: B.S. Sustainability
MPA Class of 2020

Joining the Marvin Andrews Fellowship was an easy choice for me. I am passionate about finding creative solutions to the problems our communities are facing today, and will be facing in the future. Through the partnerships with the Alliance for Innovation and internships with local governments. I will have the chance to put my coursework directly into action. During my two years, I will combine my sustainability background with cutting edge best practices of city management while continuing to gain experience in the field. This fellowship will enable me to enter the workforce upon completion of my Masters in Public Administration, ready to make change in the world. It is an honor to be selected for this prestigious program, which gives fellows access to unprecedented opportunities for professional development during their educational journey. I look forward to this next chapter and continuing to learn from the dynamic environment and engaged citizens in the state of Arizona.

Mikayla Cutlip

Mikayla Cutlip
Alumnus: Northern Arizona University
Degree: B.A. Interior Design
MPA Class of 2020 

Over the past four years, I have worked professionally in the overlap of design, construction, and nonprofit development in Phoenix, Arizona, and Detroit, Michigan. Now that I look to apply my experience toward the public sector, I am excited to learn best practices for leading in local government. The Marvin Andrews Fellowship offers a direct pathway to city management, an area that appeals to me because it is the ultimate action-oriented position between the political and administrative spheres of local government. It allows me the opportunity to study Public Administration and Urban Management at one of the best programs in the country, network with and be mentored by local government professionals, gain valuable work experience, and learn alongside fellows with diversity of background--all which enrich our experience as students and emerging public service professionals. I look forward to studying and serving in my hometown region, and practicing civic innovation within my community. 

Thomas Prior 

Thomas Prior
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.S. Public Service & Public Policy
MPA Class of 2020

The Marvin Andrews Fellowship at Arizona State University offers students the   opportunity to cultivate their skills, interests, and networks beyond the classroom. I look forward to advancing my research-based skills while working with the Alliance for Innovation and I hope to gain hands-on local government experience interning for one of the partnering municipalities. The fellowship also provides endless opportunities to connect and learn from dedicated public servants not only from around Phoenix but throughout Arizona and across the country. I am confident that over the next two years, the Marvin Andrews Fellowship will prepare me for the benefits and challenges of a rewarding career in city management.

Karl Shaddock

Karl Shaddock
Alumnus: University of Notre Dame
Degree: B.S. Political Science
MPA Class of 2020

I've been in the philanthropic field for eight years, working at two of the most   respected rural community foundations in the country. My work in community development philanthropy built the confidence, competence, and capacity of individuals to find local solutions to local challenges. Serving as a Marvin Andrews Fellow will empower me to take these skills to a career in city management. City managers in the 21st Century will need to implement innovative practices that build resilience and call upon the whole of a community to give of their generosity and imagination. The networking opportunities, hands-on learning experiences, and informed dialogues offered by the Fellowship ensures I will be well positioned to lead in this new territory. As a Fellow, I will live up to Marvin Andrews’s legacy of effective professional management, foresight, and dedication to improving the quality of life for all community.

Class of 2019

Rachel Hudgens

Rachel Hudgens
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.A. Sustainability
MPA Class of 2019

The Marvin Andrews Fellowship offers exceptional experiences and training to enhance a student’s education while pursuing a Master’s of Public Administration at Arizona State University. The fellows are offered unparalleled opportunities working with the Alliance for Innovation, interning for cities, and mentoring on top of earning an MPA from a highly ranked graduate program. The Marvin Andrews Fellowship will allow me to gain valuable hands on experience that will allow me to hit the ground running when I start my career. The Fellowship will give me the opportunity to learn how to couple sustainable best practices and city management. I am grateful to be a Marvin Andrews Fellow and I look forward to the next two years.

Alison Mattees

Alison Matthees
Alumnus: College of St. Benedict
Degree: B.A. Economics
MPA Class of 2019

During my five years working in Internal Audit, I identified, anticipated, and solved business problems for my corporate clients.  I am eager to complete my Masters in Public Administration so I can identify, anticipate, and solve the problems facing citizens in my community.  Over the next two years, the Marvin Andrews Fellowship will allow me to immediately apply the techniques and theory learned in class to real-world work with the Alliance for Innovation and cities in the Phoenix Metro area.  The Fellowship not only provides a formal mentor for the duration of the program, but also provides a nation-wide network of enthusiastic mentors and peers that will span my career.  Fellowship-sponsored attendance at local, state, and national conferences will allow me to build relationships with professionals and learn about cutting-edge improvements within the field to supplement what I’ll be learning in the classroom.  The Marvin Andrews Fellowship enhances the benefit of the ASU MPA program and provides an unrivaled foundation for building a career in public administration.

Taylor Reimann

Taylor Reimann
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.A. Sustainability
MPA Class of 2019

I chose the Marvin Andrews Fellowship because of its commitment to educating and empowering people interested in pursuing leadership in local government. The abundant resources and hands-on learning opportunities gives Marvins the chance to participate in an advanced education designed to challenge current organizational approaches, and cultivate new innovative thought for the management of our diverse systems. In an effort to steward cooperative prosperity among people and our planet, I believe that local governments are a key intervention point for fostering meaningful dialogue and inspiring effective change in our communities. As a fifth generation Arizonan, I look forward to examining local challenges and creating people specific solutions to issues we face in our social and environmental systems. I am eager for the enriching experience of being a Marvin Andrews Fellow, and believe it will provide a balanced and informed guiding framework as I work towards being a change-maker in my community. 

Aaron Robinson

Aaron Robinson
Alumnus: Arizona State University
Degree: B.A. Criminal Justice/Political Science
MPA Class of 2019

I chose to be a part of the Marvin Andrews Fellowship because it's one of the most prestigious opportunities to learn and grow as a young professional in developing skills towards a trajectory of success becoming a city manager. The Marvin Andrews Fellowship offers tons of work experience and learning engagements within the local city government that will help fulfill a lifetime of opportunities. I'm looking forward to working on problems and creating solutions within the Phoenix community.

Class of 2018

Alexa Martin

Alexa Martin
Being selected as a Marvin has not only allowed me to pursue my dreams of making an impactful difference in our local communities, it also allows me to do that right here at ASU. As a Marvin, I’ll begin my career in local government with two years of uniquely customized hands-on experience. The Marvin Andrews Fellowship doesn’t just provide unmatched access to local mentors, or the opportunity to work with the Alliance for Innovation as a graduate student, or the chance to travel and make professional connections through the Arizona City and County Management Association, or an individually developed internship at a local city. Marvins get it all, entering the field of public administration as exceptional graduates with bright futures in our local government here in the Valley. As an East Valley native and a second generation Sun Devil, I am excited and honored to be selected as a Marvin Andrews Fellow and to be pursuing this opportunity at ASU.

Rebecca McCarthy 

Rebecca McCarthy
The Marvin Andrews Fellowship at Arizona State University works with the local community to help provide innovative resources to support growth and future success. Between the opportunities to work on real-life problems and the mentorship prospects from local government officials, the Alliance for Innovation, and the Center for Urban Innovation, there is a wide open door of new learning experiences created by the fellowship that will only enhance the skills I will be acquiring in my educational career. The opportunities afforded by this fellowship will allow me to be around government members and innovative thinkers who are making change occur, allowing me to see hands-on a bit of every department and how they play into one successful governing body. I am excited for the next two years of a dynamic learning experience with ASU and the Marvin Andrews Fellowship, preparing me for a future of developing and implementing positive and sustainable changes to communities.

Marshall Pimentel 

Marshall Pimentel
I was motivated to pursue my graduate education at ASU because of its nationally ranked public administration and urban management programs. The Marvin Andrews Fellowship takes this a step further by giving students an opportunity to manage special projects and conduct research as it relates to local governance. Furthermore, it allows for practical application of the program through the second-year field internship. People often overlook local governments despite the integral services offered to citizens on a daily basis. However, the impact that professional administrators and managers have on their communities cannot be overstated. Because of this program, I will be learning from some of the best professors and practitioners in the field, and I couldn’t be more excited to begin this next chapter in my education and career.

Torin Sadow 

Torin Sadow
I chose to join the Marvin Andrews Fellowship for its exceptional reputation as a training program for top City Managers and for the extensive community of public officials which the program represents. As a Phoenician born and raised, I have seen my city develop and expand exponentially, growing into one of the largest and most diverse metropolitan areas in the nation. My goal of managing cities nationwide to bring knowledge of sustainable urban development back to the Phoenix Metro will be fostered by the Fellowship and realized through connections made in the community. The opportunities to work with the Alliance for Innovation, the Center for Urban Innovation and local governments in the Phoenix metro provide experience in handling real issues that cannot be gained in such a concentrated manner with any other program. I am excited to spend my time as a graduate student as part of the Marvin Andrews community!

Class of 2017

Kristen Ayers

Kristen Ayers
I chose to pursue the MPA program at ASU because of the school’s second-place ranking for City Management and Urban Policy. The Marvin Andrews Fellowship has so much to offer for an aspiring local government professional. The opportunities include an internship with a local city, a partnership with a mentor, and an internship with the Center for Innovation. The great education I will receive from ASU, mixed with the hands-on experiences I will have from the fellowship, will prepare me for a successful career in local government. I am very excited for the next two years with ASU and the Marvin Andrews Fellowship.

Blaise Caudill

Blaise Caudill
The Marvin Andrews Fellowship at Arizona State University innovates to serve the interests of our community at levels unseen before. Through the work at the Center for Urban Innovation, professional mentorship and networking opportunities, and real world application of best practices in governance, the Marvin Andrews Fellowship is an ideal platform for strategic growth. As inspired and instructed by the fourth and ninth tenants of the International City/County Management Association’s Code of Ethics, I aspire to encourage informed dialogue among my community and its government so as to secure the chief function of a local government: service to the best interests of the community. A driven agent of service, I am galvanized by the prospect of achieving a common goal for and, more importantly, with my peers. I choose the Marvin Andrews Fellowship at Arizona State University because it is the future of governance; it is the future of service to our neighborhoods and communities. Blaise Caudill holds bachelor’s degrees in international affairs and French. He chose the Marvin Andrews program as a way to gain experience toward a goal of service in the best interests of the community, and informed dialogue between communities and government.

Dominic DeCono 

Dominic DeCono
I chose the Marvin Andrews Fellowship and the MPA program at ASU because of its outstanding reputation, its impact on local government, and what the program is doing for the future of city management. Having the chance to work alongside the Alliance for Innovation and Center for Urban Innovation on real challenges that governments face in the 21st century is the best opportunity any student could have in the field of public administration. Along with the mentorship program of current and previous city managers, the networking opportunities the fellowship provides and the chance to learn from the best in the field, the Marvin Andrews Fellowship truly is an opportunity of a lifetime. As a student passionate about government, this is was the easiest choice of my academic career.

Dorian Sanchez Ruiz 

Dorian Sanchez Ruiz
I chose ASU because of its nationally ranked Urban Management Program and the renowned Marvin Andrews Fellowship. This combination was attractive to me not only because Phoenix prides itself in being the largest council-manager government in the United States, but because the downtown area offers an array of opportunities for aspiring public servants. My biggest desire is to make a lasting impact in developing cities by implementing innovative practices in local government to improve the quality of life of hardworking taxpayers. I am positive that the Marvin Andrews Fellowship and ASU’s MPA program will grant me the opportunity to become a life-long learner in an ever changing and dynamic environment.

Class of 2016

Yesenia Castaneda

Yesenia Castaneda
I chose the Marvin Andrews Fellowship because it is the only program in the nation designed to further innovation in local government. As such, it provides unparalleled opportunities for networking, real-world experience, and collaboration through an internship at the Center for Urban Innovation and a mentoring partnership with a local governance leader. In addition, the opportunities presented by the Fellowship are enriched by the rapidly growing cities in the Phoenix Metro area. Being able to participate in urban progression from numerous angles is an incredible experience that would be unattainable in any other location. I am excited to be at ASU and I look forward to making the most of the resources the Marvin Andrews Fellowship has to offer.

Craig Dudek

Craig Dudek
The MPA program at ASU is the ideal program to parent my transition from student to professional. Through a careful balance of thoughtful coursework, meaningful workplace development, and access to professional mentorship, the MPA program and the Marvin Andrews Fellowship ensure an excellent experience for aspiring public servants. I am very eager to learn inside and outside of the classroom about innovative ways to tackle challenges facing local communities from the experienced SPA team. Additionally, the emphasis on management in public administration ensures a focus on leadership development such that graduates can affect change through their own ideas and practices. I am very excited for the next two years with the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University!

Tyler Goodman

Tyler Goodman
I chose to apply to the Urban Management program and the Marvin Andrews Fellowship at ASU because I knew that it would be my best opportunity to be a successful future leader in local government. I was excited by the fact that I would have the chance to work for the Alliance for Innovation to learn about problems that community leaders face and innovative solutions to those problems. The second year internship is also one of the highlights of the Fellowship because it is a unique opportunity to work closely with those who have experience in the profession. These factors combined with the national recognition of ASU's program and the highly revered staff and professors made choosing to attend ASU as a Marvin Andrews Fellow an easy choice.

Class of 2015

Matthew Behunin

Matthew Behunin
I chose the Marvin Andrews Fellowship program for three reasons: the Urban Management program makes ASU one of the best universities for a career in local government, the opportunity to work for the Alliance for Innovation provides unique insight into what municipalities around the country are doing to improve their communities, and the Phoenix metropolitan area offers a wide variety of ways for someone just starting a career to gain experience. I am excited to be at ASU and grateful for the chance to be a Marvin Andrews Fellow. For as long as I can remember my parents had me involved in local government. I grew up thinking it was normal to attend zoning board meetings in the evening with my dad, or spend afternoons passing out campaign flyers with my mom. Family dinner always seemed to include conversation about how much the new city hall was going to cost, or what the sales tax revenue was going look like the next fiscal year. Growing up in this environment put me on the path towards a career in local government. Now I feel compelled to look for solutions to our communities’ challenges.

Jacob Meshke 

Jacob Meshke
The Marvin Andrews Fellowship offers opportunities that are unrivaled for an aspiring city manager. Having an outstanding mentor to turn to for advice and a plethora of hands-on learning experiences are essential tools when developing as a community leader. The student-centered faculty and staff and diverse and challenging coursework offered by the School of Public Affairs in conjunction with the aforementioned Fellowship opportunities truly enables students to succeed in the classroom and beyond.

Dominic Papa

Dominic Papa
“To become the best, learn from the best.” That motto is why I chose Arizona State University and The Marvin Andrews Fellowship Program. The fact that it is the #2 MPA program in the country for Urban Management, your first year you are a management intern at the Alliance for Innovation and The Center for Urban Innovation, and lastly the ability to work directly with some of the top leaders in local government, makes it the premier program for people seeking a career in Public Administration. I am extremely humbled and grateful to be given this opportunity. I look forward to using this experience to grow not only as a professional but as a person as well.

Class of 2014

Justine Bruno

Justine Bruno
The School of Public Affairs offers a welcoming environment that strives to enable student success in every way possible; the school is open, inclusive, and welcoming! Attaining an MPA will best prepare me for a career in local government, in addition to providing me with the knowledge and tools to successfully lead my community.

Alexis Ramirez

Alexis Ramirez
I chose the Marvin Andrews Fellowship program because it embodies all of the aspects I need to further my career in city management. The opportunity for career and academic advancement it offers students is beyond compare to other graduate programs in this area. The mixture of comprehensive coursework with real-world problem solving provides students with the tools and resources needed to succeed in all facets of life.

Alex Rivera

Alex Rivera
My life experiences in my hometown of Trenton, NJ were a significant inspiration for me in my decision to apply for this program. All of the people involved with the program recognized and nurtured my motivations, and made me feel welcome in their community. I have no doubt that the welcoming environment and passionate staff will do everything in their power to ensure my academic, professional, and life success.

Class of 2013

Niel Curley

Niel Curley
The Marvin Andrews Fellowship offers a great network of experienced local government managers that are willing and able to help MPA students start their career. I have been amazed at how willing all of the managers in the area are to take time to teach us about the profession and offering opportunities to gain experience.

Emma Jurado

Emma Jurado
Emma Jurado joined the Andrews program after serving in the federal government, including the Department of Justice, Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison in August 2009, where she served as Special Assistant to the Director.

Pamela Weir

Pamela Weir
ASU was my graduate school of choice for 3 reasons: access to opportunities, location, and the ease of coordinating work, school, and personal schedules. At ASU, students have the opportunity to work closely with academics and practitioners to gain hands-on experience in the career fields they would like to pursue. Because the MPA program is located in downtown Phoenix, I am in close proximity to many opportunities for internships, jobs, and volunteering. ASU also provides options for night, online, and intensive classes to accommodate students who work during the day.

Class of 2012

Chase Carlile

Chase Carlile
I wanted a program that didn’t focus on the theory of administration taught me the practical side as well. ASU’s MPA program does just that. The program is a perfect balance between the theory of administration and the practical side of administration. At ASU, I have the opportunity to study with some of the nation’s leading scholars and practitioners in the field of public administration.

Caitlyn Mitchell

Caitlyn Mitchell
I knew I wanted to pursue a MPA after my undergraduate studies and one of my professors recommended the Marvin Andrews Fellowship. After looking into the program, I could not imagine a more comprehensive fellowship. I was interested particularly in the second year internship with an actual city. The first year experience in the Alliance is a great introduction to the problems and issues facing local municipalities. The Marvin Andrews Fellowship provides me everything I could want in a graduate program.

Israel Murguia

Israel Murguia
Being in the program has been remarkable and has provided me with invaluable experience. The aspects to the program are unique and cannot be found in any other graduate program. In addition, I came to ASU because of its nationally ranked urban management program and its reputation of supplying communities with high-skilled professionals. ASU’s renowned faculty, highly regarded practitioners in the School of Public Affairs, and along with being in downtown Phoenix provides for an exceptional environment in studying city management.

Trey WIlliams

Trey Williams
I chose an MPA because service is the core of the curriculum and coursework; how to achieve it, what it entails, and its future in the public sector. No other professional degree offered me the opportunity to meld my interests in the future of our world and service to other people at the local level.

Class of 2011

Aaron Adams

Aaron Adams
After spending time working in a state government setting I decided I wanted to make a change. Once I realized that local government was the direction I wanted to go, I knew I had to apply the Marvin Andrews Program. The program puts you at the heart of professional municipal management with the best academic minds, professors of practice with real-world experience, and in an area known around the world for dedicated professional managers.

Robert Baer

Robert Baer
Working with the the Alliance for Innovation has exposed me to some of the most interesting programs and the most innovative cities. With the Alliance, I am not only privileged to work with some of the top academics in public administration, but I also work with active practitioners in public administration.

Somone Denmon

Somone Denmon
The MPA was the perfect choice for me. I have always wanted to contribute to my community in a meaningful way and was looking for a graduate degree that would teach me the theories and practices of local government. The Fellowship provides incredible exposure to the world of local government as well as the unmatched support of faculty and staff. The School of Public Affairs treats its students like family.

Stacey Hettmansperger

Stacy Hettmansperger
Working for the Alliance has afforded the opportunity for constant learning with the variety of projects I’ve worked on so far, and look forward to researching in the future. I feel like I’m receiving a wealth of knowledge on innovative practices in local government that I hope to incorporate throughout my career.

Class of 2010

Sam Feldman

Samuel Feldman
I love the challenge and the freedom to be creative and innovative. I love the relaxed, but professional, atmosphere that helps me be most productive and most creative. The program really challenges me to perform at my best – and supports me so that I can achieve at the highest level

Daniel Ortiz Hernandez

Daniel Ortiz-Hernandez
The Marvin Andrews Fellowship in Urban Management is an exceptional program that surpasses all of my expectations. No other university offers what the Marvin Andrews Graduate Program offers in terms of academic rigor, the ability to network with public administration professionals, and combination of work experience and applicable courses. You quickly learn that the knowledge gain in your courses can be directly related actual application in the public sector.

Jeff Riggs

Jeff Riggs

Cynthia Segovia

Cynthia Segovia
What I like best about my experience is the fact that I am learning about local government’s best programs and practices. My world view and the notion that I had about the role of local government has been influenced since I became a Fellow.

Class of 2009

Edith Baltierrez

Edith Baltierrez

Ben Bitter

Benjamin Bitter
The program has provided me with an all-access pass to see the behind-the-scenes workings of local government, something that is invaluable in my preparation to become a city manager. I have learned a lot about life in the public sphere, including how to deal with citizen complaints and concerns.

Seth Blumen

Class of 2008

Will Barnow

Will Barnow
The Marvin Andrews Program provides resources and opportunities for local government managers you can’t find in any other school or community in the US. ASU is located in downtown Phoenix, which is the largest council-manager city in the world and surrounded by several cities that use the council-manager form of government.

Rachel Busch

Nicole Lance

Nicole (Dailey) Lance
The Marvin Andrews program has opened doors that would not have been opened for me otherwise. I have a team of incredible mentors who are willing not only to provide personal advice and insight, but who have aided me in increasing and extending my network of municipal government professionals.