SPAA Student Sean Harris Shares his Military Story for Veterans Day
We are grateful to our military students and alumni and their families. Thank you to Rutgers SPAA MPA student and Army veteran Sean Harris for sharing his military story with us for Veterans Day.
Full Name: Sean Harris
Hometown: Ridgefield Park, NJ
Military Service: Army / 4 Years
SPAA Degree Program: Master of Public Administration (MPA) / Concentration in Budgeting and Financial Management
Anticipated Graduation: June 2025
Current Position: Program Analyst, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
What was your role in the military?
I enlisted as an Army Officer candidate where I attended Basic Training, Officer Candidate School (OCS), the Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course (IBOLC), and Airborne School. I was then assigned to 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum. I served as the Battalion Assistant Logistics Officer, Platoon Leader, and Battalion Logistics Officer within 2-14IN.
As an Infantry Officer working within and outside of my trained specialty, I was regularly tasked with making decisions that ethically took disciplined initiative to support mission requirements. I learned about the importance of self-improvement to better respond to operational uncertainty and mentoring fellow soldiers. I also developed an appreciation for building cultures founded on transparency, which allowed for easy cross-disciplinary collaboration.
"SPAA has provided me with the path to prove my prior leadership skills are valuable in the public sector and has given me specialized tools to employ upon graduation."
Why did you enroll at SPAA?
I wanted to certify that my leadership experience was refined to employ tools specific to the public sector and stay a part of communities that are dedicated to serving others. When researching programs, I found U.S. News and World Report ranked SPAA within the top 10% of MPA programs in the country, while offering one of the strongest living allowances under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This allowed me to achieve my goal of receiving my MPA degree debt free.
What do you hope to accomplish with your degree?
I am looking to develop a foundation of knowledge in how our government functions. Understanding how government systems work and developing the right skillsets to meet their requirements is important for becoming a public official. Ultimately, I would like to apply this education to become a part of positive change within my future organizations.
What parallels do you draw between your academic and military career?
Both environments require that you take time to invest in yourself to better help others. Also, developing an appreciation for diversity allows for greater transparency within cross-disciplinary collaborations. Lastly, making ethical decisions under disciplined initiative is always appreciated within teams.
What do you recommend military students do to adapt to higher education environments they are likely to encounter?
Develop a structure that works for you and adapt it to new circumstances. The work will always be there, so it’s important that you earn your degree in a way that allows you to enjoy life along the ride.
How do you recommend academic institutions tailor support for student veterans?
Rutgers' clubs, outreach programs, academic, and career service programs are all great outlets for incoming veterans to get acclimated within their new community.
At Rutgers-Newark, military-affiliated students can find resources through The Office of Veteran Affairs.