SPAA Graduates Share Their Stories of Support and Success at Virtual Careers and Colleagues Panel

On Thursday, April 16 SPAA hosted the school’s 2020 Annual Alumni Panel highlighting BA/MPA degree holders via a Virtual Careers and Colleagues Presentation. All of the participants met during their time at SPAA and most of the graduates participated in the accelerated BA/MPA program. The panelists discussed how their programs and meeting each other impacted both their personal and professional lives including their career journeys after graduation.

The panelists represented a range of career options available in public affairs and administration. They are leaders in government and nonprofit, and they hold positions both inside and outside of the State of New Jersey. The moderator and panelists were:

• Sharon Stroye (MPA'05), Moderator
  Director, SPAA Office of Public Engagement 
• Kenneth Douglas (BA'15, MPA'17)
  Director, Orange Fire Department
• Jason Martinez (BA'15, MPA'17)
  Director, Youth Services Commission, Essex County, NJ 
• Catherine Plymel (BA'16, MPA'17)
  COO, Boys & Girls Club Newark
• David Rappaport (BA'15, MPA'16)
  Team Lead, NJ Department of the Environmental Protection Agency
• Layo Stanback (BA'16, MPA'17)
  Director, Tri-State Career Center
• Samantha Washington (BA'15, MPA'17)
  Staffer, Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.

The panelists answered a series of questions including why they chose SPAA; how they met; how they encouraged each other in their courses; and what skills and experiences SPAA provided them with versus the skills they wished SPAA would have provided them.

The panelists also provided advice to current and incoming students who are facing a new normal in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The panelists emphasized the importance of adapting, being intentional, and being an active member of the SPAA family. They underscored that despite being physically separated, SPAA students are not alone and should take advantage of opportunities to connect on social media, bring people together, and celebrate each other’s milestones. Stanback and Rappaport encouraged students to step out of their comfort zones and take chances because new opportunities will be available once the pandemic is over.

SPAA’s annual alumni panels aim to strengthen the relationship between current and past students and encourage alumni to take on mentor roles and facilitate internship and employment opportunities for current students where possible.

For more information about what some of our alumni have done with their public administration degrees from Rutgers SPAA, visit http://spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/alumni-stories.