How UIC’s Online Master of Public Administration Degree Elevated Emily Stenzel’s Career in Local Government

The Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at UIC provides students with the skills to succeed in public service. From ethical leadership to policy analysis and practical problem-solving, the program prepares graduates for careers in government and nonprofit organizations. Through coursework, case studies, and hands-on projects, students develop a strong foundation in public management, helping them address challenges in local, state, and federal administration.

Emily Stenzel has already seen the impact of the MPA program on her career. She was recently promoted to Special Assistant to Administration and Finance for the Village of Riverside. Through the MPA program at UIC, she strengthened her leadership skills and gained insight into critical issues like cybersecurity. Emily’s experience demonstrates how the program equips students to make an impact in public administration.

Tell us about yourself.

I earned my undergraduate degree in history and legal studies with a minor in political science. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what career path I wanted to pursue. It wasn’t until I started working for the Village of Riverside that some of my colleagues encouraged me to consider a Master of Public Administration (MPA) if I wanted to advance in this field.

Our village manager is a UIC alum, as is another colleague, so I set my sights on UIC’s MPA program.

At Riverside, I recently received a promotion and now serve as the Special Assistant to Administration and Finance, in addition to my role as Village Clerk. While I find nonprofit work interesting, I’ve always felt more aligned with the public management concentration. That was my role when I first applied to the program, and through my coursework, I realized that local government is where I see my future. I was fortunate to take some nonprofit courses, but they ultimately reinforced my passion for public management.

What skills have you developed through the MPA program that have been the most valuable in your career so far?

The MPA program has helped me develop several valuable skills, but one of the most important has been time management. It’s something you wouldn’t think is that important but seeing how to take a project and break it down has been helpful. It’s a significant part of project management.

Another important takeaway has been to understand different stakeholders, which has widened my viewpoint of municipal government. This includes examining groups like colleagues, residents, and vendors and how decisions may impact them all.

The program has also helped me grow as a leader. We’ve taken different assessments to better understand our leadership styles and what we may need to improve. Personally, I have learned to soften the ways I handle giving directions. It’s also great that everyone is learning to develop these skills together and can practice them in a hands-on setting. Each week during our group projects, someone new has the opportunity to step up as leader.

Was there a specific project you found particularly valuable during the program?

My capstone project has been one of the most valuable experiences in the program. We’re focusing on cybersecurity, an issue that is not only incredibly relevant today but will continue to be in the future. It’s been beneficial to take what I’ve learned in my courses and see how it directly applies to my role in municipal government.

This project has reinforced my decision to stay on this career path. Working in local government already confirmed that this was the right field for me, but taking these courses and diving into topics like cybersecurity has solidified my interest even more.

Cybersecurity is something that affects everyone on a personal level, but in municipal government, the stakes are even higher. There are attacks where the local government is held for ransom which inhibits daily operations like permit processing and issuing bills. While working in public administration, we often have residents’ personal information, so cyber security is a priority in this field.

How did you balance the demands of the online MPA program with your work/life commitments?

I’m not the type of person who could work all day and attend in-person classes every night, so an online format was the only way I could realistically earn my MPA while continuing my career.

Some weeks were definitely busier than others. There were times when I had to stay late at work, which made it harder to keep up with coursework. Having supportive professors during those moments was invaluable. Even when I didn’t need extra time on assignments, sharing what was happening at work and receiving their understanding and encouragement made a big difference. While balancing school and work was still challenging, the online program’s flexibility and faculty understanding made it much more manageable. Without that support, earning my degree while working full-time would have been much more difficult.

How would you describe your experience with online learning?

One of the great things about online learning is that most professors provide recorded lessons, readings, and case studies, which help paint a clear picture of what a career in this field looks like. The flexibility of accessing these materials at any time made it easier to stay engaged and absorb the content.

I reached out beyond the standard Blackboard discussions to build connections with professors. Emailing directly and using Microsoft Teams to ask questions or engage in conversations was helpful. In this program, we’ve used Teams a lot, and that’s actually how I became very close with one of my classmates. We didn’t know each other before the program, but now we talk at least once a week, if not daily. Having those conversations, whether over chat or video, helps build relationships, even online.

Some people might worry that they won’t get as much out of an online program as they would in person, but that hasn’t been my experience at all. The same professors who teach the in-person courses also teach in the online program, so the content and quality of instruction are the same.

How did the MPA program prepare you to handle the challenges and trends currently shaping public administration?

One of the most helpful ways the MPA program prepared me was through the case studies. Although they were based on past events or hypothetical situations, they allowed me to think critically about how to handle real-world challenges. They made me consider how I would respond in certain situations, like managing a board member’s behavior, as we’ve seen in some cases, or addressing issues with a staff member who isn’t performing well or showing up.

Going through these case studies has allowed me to analyze what was done right and wrong and, ideally, learn from others’ mistakes rather than my own. Even the hypothetical scenarios are highly relevant because, as we know, just because something hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t. A big part of these studies is understanding the ethical challenges we face daily in public administration.

What advice would you offer someone considering enrolling in UIC’s online MPA program?

My advice would be to go for it. This program has been a fantastic experience. The professors have been open to feedback, always asking, “What do you think about this? Does this work? Does it not work?” They listen to the students taking the courses.

When I first started in this field and realized I wanted to build a career there, my colleagues told me that further development and advancement would be much easier with this degree. And they were right. The program provides valuable knowledge and allows you to apply what you’re learning primarily through assignments like the capstone project. It’s like doing the work you’d encounter in your career but with the added benefit of having a professor review it and offer guidance, which you don’t always get in the real world.

This degree has given me an advantage over others who don’t have one. In fact, during my interview for my current position, they brought up that I was completing my MPA, which was a big plus. It’s already been incredibly helpful in my career.

Is there anything else you would like to share about the online MPA program?

The professors at UIC are incredibly supportive of opportunities to further your career and learning. Dr. Allyson Holbrook, the Program Director, wrote me a letter of recommendation, and because of that, I was awarded a scholarship that covered the entire Illinois City/County Management Association (ILCMA) Conference experience, including registration and housing. This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without UIC and the support I’ve received here.

Attending the conference was a pivotal experience. It gave me a deeper understanding of public administration in action and allowed me to meet professionals with decades of experience. Their insights into navigating changes in the field were invaluable as I continue my career.