Today’s #AlumniSpotlight is Jennifer Moreno!
What brought you to the City College of New York and to the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership?
I felt I needed some room to grow in my career. At the time, I recognized that for me to advance both personally and professionally, I had to develop the mind, skills and knowledge of adaptive leadership in public service work. I wanted to be apart of program where I felt supported, challenged, and guided throughout my graduate journey. It was through my communication with the staff and faculty at the Colin Powell School that made me feel a sense of belonging and that they saw something in me that I couldn’t see at the time that drew me in to the program.
Briefly, how has your career unfolded? How did the MPA Program help you to get where you are in your career?
I have been very fortunate to learn from and connected with faculty and staff who have dedicated their careers in public service. I not only gained a wealth of skills and knowledge in how to better serve our communities, but I also developed the confidence to advocate for myself and others in real-world settings. The program challenged me to think critically and be open to new perspectives and ideas.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time in the MPA Program?
I am most proud of my growth and ability to overcome challenges during the time in the MPA program. I started my MPA journey with many fears and doubt about my capabilities of finishing the program, while juggling full-time employment and motherhood. More specifically, with the gap of time I had since I last sat in a academic classroom. It was the support of my colleagues, faculty and staff at the Colin Powell School that helped be persevere and trust my abilities in leadership.
Do you have any significant memories or accomplishments from your time in the MPA Program that you would like to share?
I have so many memories, but I mainly enjoyed the moments where I got to be in the classroom with my colleagues. It was the only time that I got to be in a space with people that were aligned with the opportunity to grow in their profession and make lasting impact in their communities.
What advice would you give to current/future MPA students or recent graduates?
Go into this experience open minded, curious, and at your own pace. Never believe the stories that you tell yourself. What you think is impossible, is possible.
What are your future aspirations for your career?
My future aspiration is to become an Executive Director for a leading organization dedicated to vulnerable communities that have been historically and systematically marginalized. Using my lived-experience, skills and knowledge, I want to be able to build a networks and partnerships that challenge the status quo, amplify community-centered voices to create long-term, sustainable change within our municipality.
