MPA Alumni Spotlights
The public and nonprofit sectors of the greater Chattanooga region are led in no small part by UTC MPA alumni, and many more alumni serve in public service careers around the globe. The alumni spotlighted below give a sense of the diverse public service careers launched by the UTC MPA program.
Bradley Bell
MPA, 2017
Assistant Director, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s New Student and Family Programs Office
“One of the most beneficial things that I have gained through my graduate career is the art of being resourceful. The MPA program teaches individuals time and time again that developing partnerships with other organizations or departments can significantly make your organization more efficient and effective. While working in higher education, I have seen this to be true.”
Nancy Sutherland
MPA, 2009
Executive Director, Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency
“No matter your age, no matter your family composition, you can find time to improve your employment goals through education – UTC’s MPA program is the perfect opportunity.”
Angel Wright-Lanier
MPA, 1998
Ed.D. in Leadership and Learning in Organizations, Vanderbilt University, 2021
Executive Director, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA)
On the value of the UTC MPA program: "I owe a debt of gratitude to the MPA program for teaching me the analytical and leadership skills needed to be successful in my public service career. I'm also very thankful for the awesome classmates that I met during the program, many of whom are now lifelong friends."
Advice to current students: "'Chart your own course.' I worked in local governments for almost twenty years. However, I realized that education was my passion; I love learning! Several of my colleagues wanted me to pursue a City Manager position, but I knew my calling was different. I sought the Doctor of Education degree because I wanted to help prepare the next generation of public service professionals."
Sarah Marczynski
MPA, 2013
Liturgy and Music Program Coordinator, Christ Church Episcopal, Greenville, SC
“UTC’s MPA program is an excellent mix of students with different interest areas. The program allowed me to concentrate on the arts as my specific interest, but I heard from and learned from professors and students studying higher education, public health, environmental policy, and local governments. Not only did this make me a better student, it has made me a better professional – one who has connections in different fields and realizes that best practices may be found outside my field.”
Trinette Ballard
MPA, 2007
Marketing and Communications, U.S. Dept. of Transportation Federal Highway Administration
Advice to current MPA students: “Choose a career in this field because you care about people and improving their quality of life. A career in Public Administration is public service. You must be committed to serving honorably and give your best all the time. Never limit your potential to make an impact. The graduate program helped me understand the commitment that comes with working in the area of Public Administration. You must be dedicated to improving the quality of life for those you serve in this field.”
Emma Beers
MPA, 2020
Intervention Manager, Community Solutions
"The MPA program was a foundational piece of my professional development. The program gave me an extremely well-rounded education of nonprofit and governmental operations. With the tools I gained through my time at UTC, I was able to move into a career that I feel deeply passionate about, and quickly be in a position to contribute heavily to the field, which I feel extremely grateful for. I never felt like I was working towards a degree, but instead felt like I was being supported in strengthening the skills I needed to have the highest impact possible through my profession."
Katie Harbison
MPA, 2007
President, Chambliss Center for Children
Advice to current MPA students: "Don’t just trudge through, learn all that you can! You never know when you will need to use some of the knowledge or skills that you learned in those classes. It has definitely been useful for me in my non-profit career."
Chuck Shoopman
MPA, 2007
Assistant Vice President, University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service
Advice to current MPA students: “Pursuing public service as a career is challenging, invigorating, occasionally frustrating, often satisfying and absolutely worth the investment of your energy and talent. Enjoy your journey!”
Reginald F. Smith II
MPA, 2012
Executive Director, The Bethlehem Center
Advice to current MPA students: “Take advantage of all of your professors insights and knowledge while taking advantage of everything the program has to offer. Fully engaging with professors, peers and the program will be beneficial to you not only during your time in the program but beyond as well.”
Sherry Marlow Ormsby
MPA, 2006
Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Research, UTK, 2017
Executive Director, University of Tennessee Chattanooga; Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Institutional Research
Advice to current MPA students: “First, do not shy away from opportunities outside your comfort zone. I’ve found, for me, these are areas with the most growth and unexpected enjoyment. Secondly, find a balance between work, school, and personal life. While graduate school can be difficult, your support system is the foundation of your success. Spending time with family and friends provides an opportunity for down time allowing you to rest and recharge. Good luck!”
Scott Hutcheson
MPA, 1995
Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration, Walden University, 2013
Associate Director, Purdue Agile Strategy Lab, Purdue University
On the value of the MPA degree: "I would not be where I am in my career if it was not for my UTC MPA degree. It helped open so many doors, each one leading to new opportunities." Advice to current MPA students: "The knowledge and insights you are gaining in this program will equip you with exactly what you need to make meaningful change that will impact the lives of real people."
Nikki Poarch Ringenberg
MPA, 2009
Senior Director of Membership and Grants, Nashville Academy of Medicine
Advice to current MPA students: “It’s worth it!”
“The most beneficial thing I learned in graduate school has been how to work with a diverse group of people to complete a project. Most of my classes included a group assignment of some sort, but two classes my last semester really taught me several valuable lessons about working with a larger group to complete a project. A close second is definitely how to use software to the fullest to work smarter and evaluate data.”
Donyel Johnson
MPA, 2015
Chief Development Officer, Boys and Girls Clubs of Chattanooga
“Choosing a career in the public sector is the most rewarding way one can contribute to society and earn a living. The MPA Program at UTC gave me the skills and connections needed to effectively lead in the multifaceted environment of nonprofits.”
Chealsea Sadler
MPA, 2017
Grants Specialist, City of Chattanooga
“The most beneficial thing from my graduate career was first-hand accounts about working in the public sector from my professors who were either prior or active public servants. Their real-life stories and advice shed a brighter light on the lessons I learned from my textbooks; what they taught me was a valuable addition to a normal education.”
Brett Elder
MPA, 2016
Financial Performance Manager, Tennessee Division of TennCare
Advice to current students: "The best thing you can do is prepare yourself to inform the decision-making process as much as possible. Using the tools this MPA program provides you will help you become a more informative and engaging contributor to the decisions that public organizations make." ... and ... "Excel skills are highly marketable—just FYI."
Alex Wilson
MPA, 2018
Business Development Officer, Dickson County, Tennessee
Advises current students to make the most of the rich networks of government and nonprofit agencies available in Chattanooga. "Those resources will help you while in the MPA program and your post-program career."
Raegan Johnson
MPA, 2018
Program Associate for the Nonprofit Sector, Great Minds
Advice for current students: "Maximize your efficiency by using assignments to address real-world problems in your job or internship when you can. Try to target all of your research-based projects on a single topical area that you want to demonstrate expertise in."
On the distinctive strengths of the UTC MPA program: "I loved, and feel that I greatly benefitted from, the small size of the program. I knew many of my classmates well, and we were therefore better able to support and learn from one another."
Jessica Bastianelli
MPA, 2019
Relationship Manager, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
Advice to current students: "Go all in. Take those interests--your passions--and run with it. The community is waiting on you."
More of our alumni
- Adam Cava, Senior Vice President, Envision Physician Services
- Adrienne Teague, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, George Mason University
- Alex Wilson, Business Development Officer, Dickson County Government
- Alissa Miller, Director of Volunteer Services and Special Events at Salvation Army
- Andrew Alms, Senior Consultant with Deloitte in their Human Capital and Organizational Transformation
- Andrew Horton, Senior Associate Athletics Director, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Andrea Lyons, Director of Development, Children's Miracle Network and Corporate Partners at Erlanger Health System Foundations
- April Counts, Human Resources Manager, Edscha
- Ashley Baker, Integrated Specialist, Unum
- Bently Thomas, Director of Planning and Inspections, Bradley County, Tennessee
- Brianne Lalor, Chief Development Officer, Northside Neighborhood House
- Candace Walsh, Instructor and Director, Nonprofit Leadership Collaborative of the Mid South, University of Memphis
- Carla Sewell, Director, Victim Support Services, Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults
- Carrie Sherbesman, Director, New Student and Family Programs, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Chris Acuff, Associate Professor of Public Administration; formerly Statistical Research Analyst, Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
- Chuck Shoopman, Assistant Vice President, University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service
- Cody Roney, Executive Director, Southeastern Climbers Coalition
- Dawn Brock, Director, Health System Services, Bryan Health
- Denise Cook, Supervisor, Hamilton County Juvenile Court
- Elizabeth Tallman, Education Director, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
- Evan Gross, LMS System Administrator, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Holly Odell, Community Outreach Coordinator, Lookout Mountain Conservancy
- Jafar Ware, City Planner, City of Murfreesboro
- Jamia Stokes, Director of Student Services, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville
- Jamie Bergmann, Vice President for Grants and Advocacy, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
- Jean-Marie Lawrence, Emergency Management Planner, Safety and Risk Management, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Jenny Park, Tennessee State Director, The Trust for Public Land; former Strategic Capital Planner, City of Chattanooga
- John Putyrski, Men's Basketball Director, Illinois State University
- Karen McGrath LeFan, Provider Outreach and Education Consultant, Cahaba Government Benefits Administrators
- Landon O'Neal, Budget Officer, City of Smyrna, Georgia
- Lauren Bonds, Development Manager, ALS Association
- Laurie Melnik, Executive Director, Southeast Center for Education in the Arts
- Lesley Scearce, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
- Mackenzie Kelly, Executive Director, Chattanooga Regional Homeless Coalition
- Marc Holcomb, Assistant Director, Center for Career and Leadership Development, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Margaret Norris, Executive Director, Municipal Technical Advisory Service, University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service
- Mark Harvey, Executive Director, Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Tennessee
- Michael Miller, Web Development Assistant, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Mike Covington, Bio-Statistical Research Scientist, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
- Nancy Sutherland, Assistant Executive Director, Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency
- Nicole Brown, Manager of Community Benefits and Diversity, CHI Memorial
- Nikki Ringenberg, Senior Director of Membership and Grants, Nashville Academy of Medicine
- Patrick Long, Vice President of Strategy and Engagement, United Way of Greater Chattanooga
- Reginald Smith, Executive director, Bethlehem Center
- Rob Suttles, Research Manager, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
- Robert Varnell, Assistant Strategic Planner for Urban Development, City of Collegedale
- Scott Hutcheson, Ph.D. in Public Policy; Associate Director, Agile Strategy Lab, Purdue University
- Shannon Colbert, Digital Content Strategist, Tennessee Aquarium
- Sherry Marlow Ormsby, Director of Measurement and Evaluation, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Institutional Research, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Steve Everett, Executive Director, Martin Boyd Christian Home
- Tommi Paris, Manager of Diversity and Inclusion, Southern Company Gas
- Tonia Martin, Director of Strategic Management Technology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Yancy Freeman, Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
- Zach Atchley, Assistant Director, Mark Making
Are you a graduate of the UTC MPA program? Have we lost track of you? Send your updated information to [email protected] and help us show off the accomplishments of our alumni.