Alumni Success

There are many lessons I have gleaned from being part of the PAD program but the most important would have to be learning to be emotionally aware and how to deal with people, which I feel go hand-in-hand with each other.  When working in government and in the public, we have to keep our emotions in check and not respond hastily or out of what situations may stir up in us as individuals.  We also have to remember we are in constant dealings with other emotional human beings.  Often times, if we can get past the surface emotions then the real issues can be addressed and properly handled.

Many St. Johns County residents expect that leadership throughout local government is constantly improving. What better way to demonstrate our continuous dedication to improvement than through working towards a college degree? The curriculum applies to public and private sector employees as the concepts and theories have significant cross-over applications. Most importantly, all professors and instructors are public and private sector practitioners and leaders. Each brings a wealth of professional experience and knowledge to connect concepts and theories to real-world scenarios practically.

Anyone aspiring to become a better leader will find so much value in the PAD program. Life is full of challenges, and none of us know what tomorrow holds, but by enrolling in PAD, you are investing in your future and preparing yourself for those unknown opportunities.

When I discovered the PAD program, I knew the time to achieve my goal had finally come. I also knew that a degree in public administration would help me pursue my passion: to be of service to the public. Yet, I learned that public service is more than just the physical things we do to help a community. This program prepares you to lead and provides practical knowledge for everyone across all public, nonprofit, and private sectors. To be an effective public leader, one must think critically, communicate effectively, and motivate others, and I improved these skills during my time at Flagler.