Knowledge of Public Administration

As an administrator at Stanford University, I’ve been able to build on the knowledge and experience garnered during my doctoral studies to understand the values and intricacies of the academic world.  The process of obtaining this degree has expanded my abilities and understanding in ways I had not expected. My practical training in the Masters in Public Administration program helped me parlay my understanding of academia into an effective administrative and managerial style.

My coursework on organizational behavior, public management and leadership guided my efforts to create a productive and professionally happy team.  The faculty and graduate students we serve often comment that this is the best administrative staff the department has ever had. 

In addition to the soft skills of personnel management, my research methods course work as well as my human resource analytic assignments broadened my understanding of how organizations are structured. Through this insight, I examined the job classification system , recruiting tactics, as well as the STAP program (Stanford Tuition Assistance Program) at Stanford University. My policy coursework informed my study of the field of higher education in order to consider the politics behind curriculum changes.

The most fulfilling part of working full-time and taking classes part-time is the way both my courses and my job duties create this wonderful feedback loop.  I take what I learn and apply it at work, and then take the experience from my work back to my course-room activities.  As a result, both are enriched and force me to achieve a higher level of results at both school and work.

[Pictured, my father and sister in Alaska]

The confidence and flexibility I learned through my coursework has worked to my benefit outside my administrative career.  In 2006, my family had plans to travel to India together.  We anticipated a three week vacation visiting extended family and traveling to tourist destinations.  However,a week before we were to leave, the terror alert increased and Americans were advised not to go to India. 

 

As my father has always wanted to see Alaska, our whole family switched gears and quickly booked a trip to the winter state.  It ended up being an amazing trip , with my sister and I taking the lead on making arrangements and working to make the trip fun for my dad.  Even after a bridge washed away and we had to add an additional 8 driving hours on our journey back to Anchorage, we took turns driving and made the situation work for us.