Student and Alumni Stories

Meet our students and alumni

Fels has trained generations of leaders who have an impact locally, nationally, and globally. Learn more about the dedicated students who make each Fels cohort dynamic and unique.

 

Fels fast facts

36


States represented by our US students in both programs

40


Countries represented by international students in both programs

2 years


Median period of professional experience for MPA students

8 years


Median period of professional experience for Executive MPA students

Student stories

Kirsten Heine, Executive MPA '23
Kirsten Heine
Executive Master of Public Administration '23

Criminal prosecutor Kirsten sought policy knowledge and public administration experience to unlock new pathways in her legal career.

Alicia Jiggetts
Alicia Jiggetts
Master of Public Administration ’23

For Alicia, statistics and data analysis are essential tools for providing legal advice and improving communities.

Photo of Xavier Gonzalez
Xavier Gonzalez
Master of Public Administration ’22

Presidential Management Fellow Xavier Gonzalez (MPA ’22) always felt called to public service. At Fels, he gained a supportive community and versatile tools to help answer that call.

Bilal Iftikhar
Bilal Iftikhar
Executive Master of Public Administration ‘20

The hybrid Executive MPA made it possible for Bilal to put his Fels education to work for the city of Sanford, Florida.

Ami Patel, MPA ‘20
Ami Patel
Master of Public Administration ‘20

Internships and student groups gave Ami hands-on experience in public administration.

Michelle Katz
Michelle Katz
Master of Public Administration '20

The one-year MPA got Michelle back into the workforce quickly, prepped to pivot to a new sector.

Pauline Alvarado
Pauline Alvarado
Master of Public Administration/Master of Science in Criminology ’19

Dual degree student Pauline applied data insights toward justice reform in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

Sara Autori
Sara Autori
Master of Public Administration/Master of Science in Social Policy ‘19

At Fels, Sara found her passion for housing and community development—and mentors to guide her next steps.

Matthew Forrest
Matthew Forrest
Master of Public Administration ‘19

Through Fels Lab, Matthew's capstone project opened up a new sector of public service to him.

Adam Serlin, Executive MPA '16
Adam Serlin
Executive Master of Public Administration '16

Learning practical hands-on management and administrative skills at Fels helped Adam support his organization's vulnerable clients in the juvenile justice system.

News

Photo of Dr. John Lapinski
Dr. John Lapinski shares what polls can tell us ahead of the 2024 presidential election

Recently, Dr. Lapinski answered questions for the Penn Arts and Sciences magazine Omnia about polling today and this year’s presidential election.

Events

Photo of Michael A. Carroll
Student Event: Policy Coffee Talk with Mike DiBerardinis and guest Michael A. Carroll
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Join us for a Policy Coffee Talk featuring Fels Distinguished Fellow Mike DiBerardinis and Michael A. Carroll, P.E., deputy managing director for Philadelphia’s Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS).

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