How UIC’s Online MPA Program Prepared Erik Hatch for Leadership in State Government

For many professionals, transitioning into public service means learning an entirely different approach to leadership, decision-making, and organizational strategy. After more than a decade in the private sector, Erik Hatch wanted to strengthen his understanding of public policy, budgeting, and leadership as he stepped into a role with the state of Minnesota.

As an IT manager supporting Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources, Hatch was looking for a program that would help him build those skills while continuing to work full-time. Through UIC’s Online Master of Public Administration program, he found coursework that directly connected to the challenges and responsibilities he faced in state government. From budgeting and project planning to policy-related work, many of the concepts he learned in class became immediately applicable in his day-to-day role.

In the spotlight below, Erik Hatch shares how UIC’s Online MPA program helped prepare him for leadership in public service while balancing work, family, and graduate school.

Transitioning From the Private Sector Into Public Service

I currently work as an IT manager for the state of Minnesota through Minnesota IT Services, and I’m embedded within the Department of Natural Resources. My team supports the Operations Services Division, which functions as a shared service for the agency. I partner with teams across finance, grants management, communications, construction, fleet, policy, and administration to help design, build, and procure technology solutions. The Department of Natural Resources supports a wide variety of areas across the state, including parks and trails, fish and wildlife management, forestry and fire management, and ecological and water resources, so there’s a lot of meaningful work happening across the agency.

Before joining the state about two and a half years ago, I worked in the private sector for more than a decade in roles like technical product management, business analysis, and data analysis for a variety of Fortune 500 companies.

I’ve always had an interest in public service. In the program, I learned there’s a term for it called public service motivation, and I realized it really resonated with me. My family has always been involved in community and public service organizations, and that influence stayed with me throughout my life. When I saw an opportunity with the Department of Natural Resources, it aligned perfectly with both my interests and my career goals. I’ve absolutely loved working in the public sphere. One of the things I enjoy most is knowing the work we do supports citizens and visitors across the state.

Choosing an Online MPA Program to Build Public Leadership Skills

As I transitioned into the public sector, I realized I wanted to deepen my knowledge and understanding of areas unique to public administration, especially public policy, budgeting techniques, and project planning. That’s what really opened my interest in pursuing an MPA degree and enrolling in this program.

One thing I absolutely loved about the program was how applicable it was to my day-to-day work. Even while I was taking courses, I was applying what I learned almost immediately in my professional role.

I would learn something in class and then use it the very next day at work. There was a ton of opportunity to connect what I was learning in coursework to the work I was already doing professionally. It helped me understand why certain processes exist and how I should approach different projects and leadership situations. The program really helped bridge the gap between my previous private-sector experience and the unique challenges of public-sector leadership.

Applying MPA Coursework to State Government Work

I create many project budgets and proposals in my role, so I draw on concepts from PA 422: Project Management and PA 550: Advanced Topics in Financial Analysis and Management. I’ve actually received compliments from directors and leaders I work with on the budgets I’ve put together, and many of those approaches came directly from what I learned in the financial management courses.

The program also helped me better understand how to utilize the policy cycle when proposing new projects or partnering with leadership teams. Understanding legislative timing and how public-sector decision-making works helped me think more strategically about advancing projects.

I also really enjoyed working through case studies throughout the program. They challenged how I think about certain situations and gave me space to process scenarios I may not have encountered yet in my career. Getting perspective from classmates and professors helped deepen my thinking about leadership, strategic planning, and supporting the agency I work for.

Another course that really stood out to me was PA 571: Nonprofit Management. Even though my focus is public management and I work for the state, I really enjoyed the course’s structure. One of the most valuable parts was working through a 90-day plan for entering an organization as a new leader. It made me think differently about leadership, including how to approach organizations facing challenges, manage teams, and prioritize what matters most when stepping into a leadership role.

Balancing Full-Time Work, Family, and Graduate School

For me, balancing a full-time job, family responsibilities, and graduate school required being intentional about my schedule. At the beginning of each week, I would sit down and map out all my assignments, then plan specific blocks of time for reading, lectures, homework, and coursework. That structure helped me stay focused and maximize my investment in the program.

In my limited free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and my 8-year-old son. I love getting outdoors, going for runs or camping, and building LEGOs with my son, so making time for both school and family was important. The flexibility of the online format allowed me to continue advancing professionally while also managing my personal responsibilities.

Learning From Diverse Perspectives in the Online MPA Program

One of the things I really enjoyed most was learning from my classmates. At the start of every course, there were discussion boards where people introduced themselves and shared their backgrounds. I loved seeing the wide variety of experiences everyone brought to the program. There were so many people doing fascinating work across different industries and organizations, which created really interesting conversations during coursework and group projects. I appreciated hearing perspectives that were different from my own because it made me think in new ways and consider things I hadn’t before.

My advice to future students would be to bring their own unique experience into the learning environment. Even if you think your perspective is ordinary, it’s probably different from someone else’s, and those different perspectives really enrich the experience for everyone.

There’s a lot of valuable material and shared experience in the program, and taking the time to engage with it fully really makes a difference.

Ready to strengthen your leadership skills in public service? Learn more about UIC’s Online MPA program, including concentrations, curriculum details, and how to apply.