I am currently seeking opportunities to transition from my current career in hospitality to one where I can utilize my skills as a recent MPA graduate.

I have been credited with thinking outside the box and bringing a fresh and unique perspective to my academic challenges. I am eager to bring a similar enthusiasm and passion to an organization with a forward-thinking culture.

 

 

Intro

I am a very social and extrovert kind of person who likes to know people, watch and observe them, and wants to have fun. My core strengths are creative problem solving, energetic, perceptive, open-minded, enthusiastic, curious, and observant—one who can resolve conflicts clearly and diplomatically. I have an innate sense of clients' needs using sensitive and clear communication such as generous listening. I believe in respect, honesty, caring, and fairness to others. I firmly believe to receive fair treatment from others, it is essential to treat others the way you want to be treated. Thus, I try my best to be polite to everyone I meet. This principle ensures that I don't add to anyone's problems. I strive to work collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal.

 

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Strengths

My other strengths and qualities are, I have an inner source of personal power and enjoy transforming influence on others. In addition, I am effective at eliminating stress, empowering, and delegating. Finally, I would describe myself as an optimistic person. However, I can balance the reality of situations. Even though I have had lows in my life, I still believe in the good in people and strive to live for the highest hope and good. Although, bad things do happen to good people. But, how one responds or reacts is the lesson to be learned. Lastly, it's all about the journey and not just the destination.

Project 01

DATABASE SYSTEMS MANAGEMENT & BEST PRACTICES

MPA Capstone

Executive Summary

 This capstone research paper reviews the existing literature from the perspectives of organizational factors influencing the adoption of best practices from variables that involve technological, organizational, and environmental characteristics that influence management decisions regarding database systems. The literature focuses on the importance of implementing digital database systems versus hardcopy database systems while examining the advantages and disadvantages that can be the reality for some NPO's. Database management systems are defined in this research as the technology solution used to improve and manage the storage and retrieval of the data from current data systems.

The nonprofit sector is essential to American life. The existence of this sector includes most of the nation's hospitals and universities, classical music and theater companies, environmental and civil rights organizations, and family services, and children's services. The nonprofits world also includes neighborhood development, community health, and anti-poverty agencies. At the same time, foundations and other support organizations were founded to generate funding to help support the NPO's.

 Historically, in previous generations, the mission has been the main driving force behind the motivation for success. This is still the case for anyone who has committed themselves to serve their community, but it is now not the only reason. Management of organizations must always be looking towards the future and what it could hold for them. It is essential to understand the influential factors affecting the management decisions of nonprofit managers on database systems.

 

Therefore, the purpose of this project is to present insight into the local nonprofit sector based on the facts given by the individuals in charge of data management. A tool for any nonprofit to reference, asking the questions,

  1) Are nonprofits in Wilmington, NC, implementing data management best practices?

  2) What are their characteristics influencing the eliminating of administration inefficiencies?​

 

These research questions for nonprofits in Wilmington, NC, regarding data management, were created to analyze if technological, organizational, or environmental characteristics play a crucial role in decision making. This research project was surveyed using random, local Wilmington, NC nonprofits and the people in charge of the database systems within their organization. The use of a digital software survey software program, Qualtrics, an anonymous and voluntary user-friendly survey with an attached link to 18 questions, was distributed by email. The survey was categorized into sections: Demographics, Current Database Management Systems, Hardcopy versus Digital, Advantages & Disadvantages, and Future Databases. The survey results are then analyzed to determine what organizational factors influence the adoption of digital database management systems.  

 

Project 02

OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY

Internship Report

Abstract

This report accounts for an internship completed at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). The initial period was 12 weeks, which was completed in the fall of 2020. Due to the extraordinary circumstances caused by Covid-19, the internship was extended for a year and was completed on July 29, 2021.

The Masters Public Administration (MPA) program is housed within the Department of Public & International Affairs in the College of Arts & Sciences. The program requires graduate students to complete an internship of their choice before graduating but can be waived if they are able to prove their current work experience is sufficient. The internship selected was with the Office of Sustainability at UNCW. The Office of Sustainability was started in 2007 by a small group of employees and students passionate about the environment and the negative human impact on the planet.

The internship was carried out working with Kat Pohlman, Chief Sustainability Officer. Tasks include updating various planning documents, researching other universities, editing current information, reaching out to key stakeholders, and working with specialized software to create surveys and information sessions. The main task was to collect information that will be used for an Appreciative Inquiry Summit, in the fall of 2021. Internships offer the opportunity to enable students to transfer theoretical knowledge to practical, real-life situations. The purpose is to equip the student with the relevant skills, competence, and efficiency in executing specific tasks, enabling the student to get hands-on experience in a real working environment upon graduating and before entering their career field.

Covid-19 has impacted everyone's way of life. The pandemic created various challenges and limitations in day-to-day practices including in this internship. Students have faced obstacles in executing their internship duties during this time, and the potential for a complete learning experience was difficult to achieve due to Covid-19.