Hear from Our Students
Aaron Cobas
"Every one of my professors has been helpful. Whether I was stuck on an assignment or there was an exam that I didn’t do so well on, or any types of pointers on projects like my capstone, they’ve always been there to be helpful and I think that’s what makes the M.P.P.A. program so unique is just the level of dedication, the level of support, and the level of care that the professors and the counselors show their students."
Read more about Aaron’s experience on Source
Nate Boyce
"The MPPA program at Colorado State University has been instrumental in helping me grow as a leader and expand my ability to serve my community. Coming from a hands-on role in emergency services, I was drawn to the program’s focus on public policy and management, which has given me the tools to think more critically about complex challenges we face in the field. From budgeting and grant management to policy development, the curriculum directly connects to real-world applications, and my internship experience reinforced that learning in a meaningful way. The program has not only strengthened my leadership capabilities but also prepared me to step into future roles with confidence—equipped to solve problems thoughtfully, work collaboratively, and make a lasting impact in public service."
Read Nate's Outstanding Graduate article on Source to learn more about his experience.
Best and Brightest Management Fellowship
The CSU faculty behind the M.P.P.A. program have partnered with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs to offer the Best and Brightest Management Fellowship to M.P.P.A. students. This fellowship program partners with counties, municipalities, and universities across Colorado to meet the needs of communities, engage future leaders, and connect students to community work that sparks their curiosity and leads them to work in public service. The program connects local governments, students, and educators through two-year paid fellowships.
Fellowship program objectives:
- To provide a unique opportunity for students to complete their graduate degree while gaining invaluable real world learning experiences
- To develop potential local government managers, planners, economic and community development directors
- To provide a way for DOLA to support small and/or rural jurisdictions in meeting their administrative staffing needs in the most cost effective way possible
Upon completion of the two-year program, students will have completed all of the requirements for the M.P.P.A. while, at the same time, having gained two years of invaluable applied experiences. Students will receive an annual salary and benefits package totaling at minimum $42,000 and may be eligible for tuition reimbursement once they are formally admitted into the program or after successfully completing the Fellowship.
For more information about participating in the program, contact Alexis Kennedy.
