UIC MPA alum utilizes MPA program knowledge daily as Chief of Staff

The University of Illinois Chicago’s Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) program empowers students with leadership skills to promote integrity and professionalism, fostering a positive impact on both the workplace and society.

Meet Karena Coicou, MPA. Currently serving as the Chief of Staff for the City of Chicago’s 17th ward, Coicou attributes her ability to drive positive change in historically disenfranchised neighborhoods to the knowledge and skills acquired during her time in UIC’s MPA program. In her role with Alderman David Moore, she has effectively applied concepts from her coursework, such as strategic planning and project management, to initiatives like bringing grocery stores to food deserts and collaborating with residents on various issues.

Leading a team of five individuals, Coicou has helped to streamline the office’s organizational structure. Recognizing the importance of organizational structure in staff retention, she has facilitated effective communication and enhanced overall efficiency within the office.

Explore more about Coicou’s impactful career with the local government and discover how she incorporates her MPA program insights into her daily responsibilities.

Tell us about yourself.

While I was in the MPA program at UIC, I was working in UIC’s Senate Office where I worked on different policies. I graduated from the degree program in 2021.

I currently work for the City of Chicago in the 17th award. I work as the Chief of Staff to Alderman David Moore. The 17th ward consists of five neighborhoods, historically disenfranchised neighborhoods, which include West Chatham, Auburn Gresham, West Englewood, Englewood, and Chicago Lawn. So, we have a big task at hand. I manage a staff of five people, and I like to think of my job as being a problem solver. I wear many different hats and work on many different projects. Every day is different.

What skills did you gain or sharpen through the MPA program at UIC and how do you use them daily in your career?

Strategic planning was an important skill that I use daily in my career which I learned about in the course, PA 521: Strategic Management: Planning and Measurement. Our office is normally the go-to for a lot of residents. We’re their first stop when they can’t get in touch with their state reps or their state senators, so we must be able to think strategically about what we can do for them. We’ll also start to see trends that involve similar concerns. We begin to think about what strategies we can put in place to solve these issues.

Project management was another important skill that I learned about in the course PA 422: Project Management. I am responsible for overseeing numerous projects. I need to ensure I’m being efficient with the projects I directly manage as well as the projects handled by the staff under my supervision. My primary objective is to ensure the seamless completion of projects throughout their entire life cycle, from beginning to end.

Were there any real-world applications or projects in your MPA courses that you found useful or valuable?

I learned about negotiation in one of my courses, which I really enjoyed. In my current role, I’ve realized quickly that I’m not only advocating for our residents, but I’m also there to educate them. I try to share negotiation principles with them so they can hopefully understand that if you give up a little, you’ll get a lot in return. We’re in the middle of a project right now where we’re trying to get grocery stores into parts of the ward due to that area being a food desert. Residents are upset that the grocery stores might potentially sell liquor. However, there are some battles you might have to give up to fight that food desert, so educating the residents and having those conversations is important. This initiative will hopefully bring in some positivity to the area as well, so the community can feel like they’re being taken care of. Our office has been instrumental in the permit process. We have had our boots on the ground since May, and we’re hoping the grocery stores will be open soon.

Is there an example of a work challenge you faced that you were able to overcome with your MPA knowledge?

The organizational structure at my current job wasn’t established when I got there, so that was a big challenge. Once I started, I remember having the discussions that echoed all the important topics that were covered in my MPA courses, such as the importance of organizational structure. Staff were working in silos, which was probably the reason there was such a high turnover. They probably had 8 Chiefs of Staff prior to me, so we worked on getting the staff comfortable and understanding we can’t just work on individual work assignments, but we need to start working together. I created an org chart within the first month or two of being there after I watched how they were operating, and the staff was receptive to it.

What advice do you have for a prospective MPA student? Why would you recommend the MPA program at UIC?

First of all, I love the MPA program at UIC. It’s an experience that diversified my toolkit. I feel like I can ultimately go anywhere, and I’ll be able to hold my own in any position that I get, whether that’s in public service or the private sector. If I were to give any piece of advice to an MPA student, I would tell them to really engage in the coursework. Even if it’s coursework that you may feel like is useless, you may end up saying ‘Hey, this is something I probably should have paid more attention to because this is valuable.’ So, my biggest piece of advice would be to pay attention and really take it all in.

Are there any exciting projects that you’re currently working on?

We’re working on a 20+ year infrastructure project called CREATE which we’ve been instrumental in getting the permits for. This project addresses congestion in railroads and commerce, with a primary focus on getting more goods in and out. The 17th ward serves as the central hub where various railroads intersect. Within the CREATE project, there are 5-6 sub-projects aimed at tackling issues such as traffic congestion. One notable sub-project involves the creation of a flyover, known as gray separation, which involves separating roads from railroads to eliminate the need for vehicles to stop, which helps the flow of goods in and out of Chicago and contributing to the local economy. Currently in its 13th or 14th year, it’s a project that I’m very excited about.