MPA Alumni Spotlight

Below are several MPA alumni spotlights. We invite you to read their stories. If you’d like to contact one of the featured alumni directly, please send an email to: dppalumni@yahoo.com. They are available and ready to speak with you!

The MPA Alumni Spotlight is on:

• Jeffery  Hallin, MPA 2005
• Jason  Giulietti, MPA 2004
• Brian  Winseck, MPA 2004
• Chrissy Rocco Caruolo, MPA 2004
• Matthew W. Hart, MPA 1998
• David A Crompton, MPA 1977

For more information about applying to the MPA program, please contact the Administrative Program Director, Valerie Rogers, at 860-570-9343 or via email at: valerie.rogers@uconn.edu.

After working in the private sector as a manager of a technology company in California for five years, Jeff Hallin made the decision to pursue a Master of Public Administration at the University of Connecticut. Jeff was looking to switch to a career in the public arena.

Since completing his degree in 2005 Jeff has been working as an analyst for the City of Hartford’s Department of Management and Budget. The Department’s mission is to "Provide budget process leadership, research and analysis and consultation services to enable sound resource allocation decisions and help Departments operate more effectively and efficiently." On a day-to-day basis Jeff works in collaboration with a number of city departments to fulfill this mission. He also conducts special projects as they arise.

Jeff remembers two internships during the MPA program that prepared him for his current position and fueled his interest in local government. In one, Jeff interned for Kathleen Eagen, the Town Manager of Farmington, CT. In Farmington one of his many projects included compiling research and developing a process for how the city would fund donation requests from non-profit organizations. In the other he worked for Barry Feldman, an adjunct faculty member of the MPA program, and Town Manager of West Hartford, CT. In this position Jeff rotated to different departments, including Public Works, where he had the opportunity to actually work in the field with a number of crews to get an in-depth understanding of the many services local governments provide.

In Hartford, Jeff particularly enjoys working to continually provide better services to citizens. He admits that providing the quality services citizens desire at the low tax price citizens want can be difficult. He said, “It is a constant challenge for our office. The City continually strives to provide better services that citizens want, while doing it more efficiently, and at a lower cost to the citizens. Doing it better for less is an enormous challenge and always will be.”

Jeff finds the work personally and professionally rewarding and is passionate about his job. He explained, “I get up everyday and I can honestly say I enjoy what I do. You can’t ask for much more than that.”

Jason Giulietti was an ambitious undergraduate at the University of Connecticut. As a “fast track” student he was able to take graduate courses while completing his undergraduate degree. Jason believes that this opportunity pushed him to pursue his Master of Public Administration. Jason, a 2004 MPA graduate, found his niche while in the program, “working with government and the private sector to bridge the gap,” he explained.

Today, Jason pursues this interest as a Research Economist for the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA). CBIA, the largest statewide business organization in the country, works to represent business and industry at the state Capitol. They advocate for laws and regulatory systems that promote Connecticut businesses’ needs. CBIA incorporates the broad interests of the over 10,000 members, and their varied backgrounds, from two person shops to large businesses with over 10,000 employees.

As a Research Economist, Jason issues briefs and reports for legislators to hone in on Connecticut’s economic concerns. He is also involved in a wide variety of research studies from those on taxes to the economic impacts of early childhood education. Jason serves on various boards and councils, follows up on reports, writes testimony, produces economic outlooks, and engages in a multitude of other research projects. In short, “I work to support the CBIA mission, creating a better business climate that will better the economy in the long run.”

In his position Jason is frequently on the go. “I am constantly facing a new challenge. There is always a new spin, a new hot topic that we need to incorporate to past research so we can stay a step ahead of the competition. . . . It’s a great job for getting out there,” he said.

Jason believes the MPA program prepared him for these challenges. “I would be clueless otherwise. Everyday I carry forth what I learned in the program. It is great to be able to explain what is happening. You’re one step ahead,” Jason said.

This training has served Jason well. He thoroughly enjoys the high paced work environment and the significance of his work. “I am constantly in the mix of the state’s top CEOs, elected and non-elected officials, connecting, traveling, informing, and producing work and research they use. It is the greatest part of my job. It is exciting that they utilize what I produce,” Jason explained.

Brian Winseck is a 2004 graduate of the University of Connecticut’s Master of Public Administration Program. He chose UConn because of its strong reputation and commitment to students. When Brian arrived in 2002, the program was, as he recalls, “in the midst of transformation. The program was evolving to meet today’s workplace demands. I was pursing an MPA for the same reason. It was a great fit.”

Brian distinctly remembers his first day of orientation as a student in the program, “Bill Simonsen [professor] said the MPA program provides students with the analytical tools necessary to be good consumers of information. Whether in statistics, public finance, or organizations and management, each MPA course offers a new skill that would serve us well in our careers. Bill was right.”

Brian regards the accessibility of faculty as the program’s greatest asset. “I recall countless times when a faculty member was willing to sit down and help answer a question. There is a great benefit to being able to knock on the door of one’s professor and work through an issue. In many ways this is how my most important learning took place.”

Today, Brian uses his MPA skills as an analyst for the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in Washington, D.C. At ONDCP, he principally handles the financial oversight of federal drug interdiction and law enforcement activities. Brian arrived at this position through the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program. He believes in the benefits of the PMF program and advises anyone who has an interest in a career in the federal government to apply.

“The faculty and students pushed me to work hard. I would not have been as pleased with my experience without them. Pursing an MPA at UConn was one of my best career decisions,” Brian explained. He encourages current and prospective students to see the MPA program as a great opportunity to test the waters of diverse subject areas, engage with professors and classmates, and pursue individual research.

Chrissy Rocco Caruolo, a University of Connecticut Master of Public Administration 2004 graduate, stumbled upon the MPA program as a senior finishing her undergraduate double major in history and political science. Unfamiliar with the program, she recognized her genuine interest in local and state government, and saw a need in the field. As Chrissy said, “I was interested in politics but not ‘politicking.’”

Through her coursework she developed an appreciation for government finance and decided that would be her concentration. While working with Mark Robbins and Bill Simonsen for her graduate assistantship she was introduced to the world of municipal bonds. “I loved it. It really interested me. I felt like I couldn’t get enough of it,” explained Chrissy. This experience catapulted her into her current career.

Today Chrissy gets her fix as a Municipal Finance Officer for Webster Bank. In this position Chrissy assists municipalities borrowing funds, advises them on financial projects, and creates debt management and capital management plans.

Prior to her position at Webster Bank, Chrissy worked in the Research Department at the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities for approximately eighteen months. Through her daily interactions with first selectmen, mayors, and town managers she obtained an intense understanding of the operations of Connecticut towns.

In both of these positions presentation skills and teamwork were two of the most used skills she acquired from the MPA program. In particular Chrissy remembers one assignment that struck her. “In my Capital Finance course we had a research project for which we had to present during a Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) meeting. Some of these people still remember me presenting a couple years ago. It introduces you to Connecticut. It’s nice to work with people that know my background. I’m not just a no name. It gives them confidence because I’m a UConn graduate,” explained Chrissy.

When Matthew Hart was researching higher education he sought out a dual degree program. The University of Connecticut was the perfect fit for him to pursue his Master of Public Administration and Law degree (JD) simultaneously. In his second year as a student, Matt accepted an internship working for the Town of Windsor. He enjoyed this experience so much that he is still working in local government.
Today Matt is Town Manager of Mansfield, CT. His responsibilities include supporting the Town Council’s policies, overseeing administrative operations and delivery of municipal services, ensuring municipal employees have essential training and resources, and working with other stakeholders to identify and achieve a vision for the community. Matt coins his job a “true generalist profession,” since the scope is broad, and no day is like the one before it.

Matt, a 1998 graduate, believes his MPA degree serves him daily in his eclectic list of duties. “The Master of Public Administration is an applied degree. You learn how to do certain facets of a job, not just the theory, although theory is also important. You learn human resources, budgeting, financial administration, performance measures, program evaluation, essential writing skills, and how to work in a team. They are all applicable skills . . . With my MPA I could take on any number of opportunities in public administration,” explained Matt.

Matt recognizes that his job certainly presents its share of challenges. One hurdle he continues to improve upon is time management. “You must learn how to prioritize and delegate. You really need to decide what you want to spend your time on,” Matt suggested.

Challenges do not end there. Matt recommends that “once you have graduated you must work hard to stay abreast of best practices in your field. Get involved in a professional organization or association. Learn all you can from those relationships. It makes you a better practitioner. We are always learning. It doesn’t matter if you have five years or thirty years of experience, there is always more to learn.”

Matt sees the successes of the MPA program in his daily labors. “I am very proud of our MPA program- the students, faculty, and alumni advisory board,” said Matt who is finishing his term as President of the MPA Alumni Advisory Board. Matt was the recipient of the second “Distinguished Alumni” award and is also President of UConn Pi Alpha Alpha, the national MPA honor society.