Graduate Spotlight: MPA degree reveals the versatility of public administration
Graduate Kristen Jud broadens horizons, steps into a job she didn’t know she would love.
Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 |
Meet Kristen Jud, a dynamic student and young professional who is receiving her Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Lipscomb’s College of Leadership and Public Service at the Dec. 16 graduate commencement ceremony.
After earning her undergraduate studies in social justice and public policy last year, Jud decided to immediately pursue her master’s degree in order to hone her learned skills and gain practical expertise in her chosen field of public administration.
Delving into the MPA program, Jud discovered the versatility of public administration. She says she appreciates that the skills acquired through the program are not confined to a single sector but are readily transferable across public, private and non-profit domains. She found solace in the broad and diverse career possibilities that this field offers, that will allow her to explore her professional interests and passions as she grows her career.
Jud recently launched her career in the planning and administration space, which she began as a summer intern at Fairpointe Planning, a woman-owned, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certified transportation planning firm in Nashville. Showcasing her commitment to both academic and professional pursuits, Jud was able to quickly transition her internship into a full time position–she started the internship in June and was hired full time in August. While juggling a full-time job and completing her degree was undoubtedly challenging, Jud says “she wouldn't have had it any other way.”
“Little did I know that this experience would spark in me a deep interest in transportation planning and co-creating mobility solutions,” says Jud.
Her experience in transportation planning led her to choosing for her MPA thesis an exploration of the relationship between green (sustainable) development and gentrification in surrounding neighborhoods. Her research emphasizes the significance of community engagement in the planning stage to counteract gentrification.
Jud delved into a case study on the Imagine East Bank project, a monumental endeavor set to redevelop the East Bank of the Cumberland River. She says viewing this project through a transportation planning lens added an extra layer of excitement to her academic endeavors.
Always open to new horizons, Jud acknowledges that her long-range goals are yet to be defined. She is happy with her current focus on planning; yet, with professional interests that span from environmental planning and resiliency, to transportation and mobility, and social justice and equity, she is prepared to explore a wealth of opportunities throughout her career.