Three MPA students land new jobs

This news release was written by Francis Duffy.

Three of our current Master of Public Administration (MPA) students, who will graduate in May, 2018, have been hired to fill some really interesting and important positions.

Kayla Dufrene, ’16 & G-’18, was hired as a legislative research analyst trainee with the United States Postal Service. She will perform various legislative research activities.She will participate in their 12-month Management Foundations Program (MFP), which leverages professional development training, cross-functional projects, on-the-job experiences, and coaching. She will have the opportunity to perform entry-level legislative research assignments designed to develop a broad understanding of U.S. Postal Service’s Government Relations functions and internal policies and procedures. She will also monitor Congressional activities and news sources to identify trends and new information for use in updating existing documentation and reports, including monitoring, analyzing, and summarizing legislative activities and relevant news and policies using postal policies within the Government Relations/Public Policy department.

“I am excited to take what I have learned from the MPA program and my experience working in the Office of Administration with Kati Mitchell and Fred Weiner, assistant vice president, and apply it to my job with the United States Postal Service,” said Dufrene.

Alexandra Gaston, G-’18, has been hired as a program associate for the College to Congress (C2C) organization. C2C is a nonprofit organization promoting diversity and representation in Congress by placing college students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in internships with Members of Congress and providing to cover all of their costs. They also provide curated leadership training opportunities to prepare students to emerge as public service stewards. To cut through partisan gridlock, C2C interns are paired with a mentor of the opposite party. Overall, C2C works to break down the barrier of entry to politics for management/development, marketing and communications, and fundraising assistance. In addition to supporting their current internship program, Gatson will work to recruit Members of Congress to join their organization, develop a C2C alumni program, write grant proposals and press releases, recruit congressional staff for the bipartisan mentorship program, and increase C2C social media presence, following students with limited financial means and without political connections.

“I am thrilled to join their team, and I’m so grateful to the MPA program for helping me get here,” said Gatson.

Catherine Sienko, G-’18, recently accepted a job in Washington, D.C., as a program specialist with the Department of Veteran Affairs. Sienko will be responsible for developing policies and making recommendations to the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)/Diversity and Inclusion managers. She will also assist in research and analyzing data on workforce demographics for people with disabilities, including analyzing and updating regulations and policies of EEO/D&I programs.