Master of Public Administration - Missouri State University

03/06/2025

It's that time of year when many newly minted MPA graduates are looking for gainful employment. This links page to various job boards is provided by the St. Louis Area City Management Association (SLACMA). Enjoy!

Leaders at the Core of Great Communities

11/08/2021

Took a group of Missouri State University MPA students to Kimberling City for a practicum writing job descriptions. Mayor Fritz is pictured. He and City Administrator, Jerry Harmon, spent copious amounts of quality time with the group. It's a real win-win when we can provide needed assistance while students experience the practice of local government and human resources.

09/12/2021

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Dr. David Johnson. David (DJ) passed away last Friday. He has been a valued member of the Political Science Department since 2008 and has served as Master of Public Administration Program (MPA) director since 2017.

DJ touched many lives and performed yeoman service for both the MPA program and the greater Springfield emergency response community. Prior to arriving at MSU, DJ was an active fire service member in Pittsburg, PA and was involved in search and rescue at the World Trade Center following 9-11. At MSU he taught emergency management and disaster response and preparedness with an academic’s knowledge and a practitioner’s soul. He was engaged with local emergency response agencies and often involved students with those agencies. As MPA director, DJ spearheaded an overhaul of the program, coordinated bringing it online, and watched it succeed by drawing increasing numbers of students.

DJ will be sorely missed. Please keep his family in your thoughts as they go through this difficult time.

A Funeral Service for Dr. Johnson has been planned for
Friday, September 17
10:00am
At
All Saints Anglican Church - Springfield, MO
2751 Galloway Street
Springfield, Mo 65804

In honor of DJ’s service at the World Trade Center and to those who fell victim from toxic exposures at Ground Zero, in lieu of flowers, his family would appreciate donations to be made to Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation
www.t2t.org

09/10/2021

Here's a link to an Analysist III opening Dakota County, MN.

09/02/2021

Here's a link to an opening in Fairfield County, South Carolina. Email me at [email protected] if you want the more lengthy detail regarding the job. - DrK

Fairfield County Council seeks a professional County Administrator to provide strategic and operational leadership. The ideal candidate possesses an agile financial mind and proven experience and demonstrated success relating effectively with all segments of a diverse community, hiring executive lev...

08/24/2021

Job Opportunity - Management Analyst II
Dakota County, MN
https://agency.governmentjobs.com/dakota/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=3193138

Thanks to MPA alum Alex Jermeland for the heads up. There may be more openings coming.

07/07/2021

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6816450688755871744/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_feed%3BI3AcsSrxRpqcHDBcFXD84Q%3D%3D

We are looking for our next City Administrator! North Kansas City utilizes a Mayor/Council/City Administrator form of government. The City Council establishes...

07/02/2021

As of July 1, Dr. George Connor has ended his 13 year tenure as Political Science Department Head. Throughout his time he was an ardent supporter of the MPA program. We thank him for his years of service and leadership through some trying times. Dr. Connor will be sticking around teaching his usual classes and we wish him well but the front office won't be the same. The search for a new Department Head will begin soon. In the meantime, Dr. Pybas will be the acting Department Head.

06/08/2021

Congratulations to Aaron Schekorra (MPA 2020) on his new position as the Public Health Information Administrator for the Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department has named Aaron Schekorra as its next Public Health Information Administrator.

05/28/2021

Matching Career and Needs
by George Connor

The Muse's Melody Wilding suggests "viewing current and potential roles through the lens not only of what you need to survive but also what you need to thrive is a way to ensure you’ll be more effective, satisfied, and impactful at any stage of your career."

With that lens in mind, Wilding offers "4 tips to help you clarify your needs."

To read the full article, see Hierarchy of Needs.

In her book Trust Yourself, Melody J. Wilding, executive coach for sensitive high-achievers, lays out a strategy based on your professional hierarchy of needs.

05/19/2021

Congratulations to our recent MPA graduates! The following received their Master of Public Administration this week and three also received Graduate Certificates in their chosen areas of specialization:
Samuel D. Johnson - Local Government Management certificate
Kirsten M. Krier - Economic Development certificate
Merry J. Tucker
Griffin C. Turnage - Public Health - Homeland Security certificate

Way to go!! Best wishes for all as they go on to apply their education to improve their communities.

05/10/2021

Congratulations to Samuel Johnson who received Honorable Mention at the 2021 Einhellig Interdisciplinary Forum (EIDF) of graduate student research and creative works for hi9s presentation on "Analyzing the Efficacy of New Taxes in Nixa, Missouri".