Here are just some of the professional milestones our SPA alumni have achieved during their careers.  Our alumni share their milestones to help inspire current and future students and to stay connected with their SPA alumni community.

If you are an SPA alum and would like to participate, please look for the Alumni Milestones link in the monthly SPA Alumni Newsletter and submit your milestones today.

If you are not receiving the SPA Alumni Newsletter, please send your name, year of graduation, and degree earned to spacomms@american.edu and we will forward the Alumni Milestones link.

Click a highlighted alum's name to visit their LinkedIn profile.

Jump to milestones by year:
2022 2021 2020 2019-1967

2022

Masters (On-Campus)

Year	Month	Name	SPA Degree Earned	Milestone
2022	March	Winfield Wilson	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2012	Scheduled to present original policy research at the APPAM Research Conference in Austin, TX, in March 2022 – “The Shadowed Communities – a Review of Hazardous Dams and the People and Places They Impact "
2022	January	Michael Otten	PhD in Technology of Management, 1972	Organized Election Reform event with 133 Zoom attendees on subject of Open Primaries and generally ways to implement election reform successfully

2021

Masters (On-Campus)

Year	Month	Name	SPA Degree Earned	Milestone
2021	December	Naomi Miguel	Master of Public Administration & Policy (online), 2017	Received the 40 under 40 Native Americans award
2021	December	Robert Davis	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1980	Released digitally, soon to be in print, academic press book "The Search for the First Americans: Science, Power, Politics" (Oklahoma University Press)
2021	November	Donna Reed	BA in Political Science and Communications, 1975	Re-elected to sixth term on the City of Reading City Council, first woman to do so
2021	November	Justin Bibb	BA in Urban Studies, 2009	Elected Mayor of Cleveland
2021	October	Noel Popwell	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1994	Secured role of Senior Program Officer, Transportation Research Board, National Academies of Science
2021	October	Kailani DeVille	MS in Organization Development, 2021	Started new job as a Fiscal and Policy Analyst for the City of Seattle’s Budget Office
2021	October	Rebecca Osmolski	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2021	Hired as Digital Director for Senator Mazie Hirono at United States Senate
2021	October	Eric Cooper	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2012	Joined the Amazon Team as an Operations Manager in Sacramento, CA
2021	October	Benjamin Jones	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1996	Named to Manhattan Power 100 List - City & State Magazine
2021	September	Marlon Brown	BA in Political Science, 2006	Promoted to the position of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
2021	September	Donna Reed	BA in Political Science and Communications, 1975	Elected Trustee of Berks History Center; formerly served as editor of its quarterly publication
2021	September	Sharice Lane	Master of Public Administration & Policy (Online), 2017	Published article "Building Provider Capacity" in the peer-reviewed journal, "Infants and Young Children"
2021	September	Paul Krissel	MS in Organization Development, 2007	Retired after 15 years as an independent Organization Development Consultant, making a difference with non-profit, labor and government clients, facilitating strategic change and leadership development
2021	August	Alexis Patterson	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 2021	Hired as Research Assistant for Westat
2021	August	Rebecca DeSantis	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2018	Hired as Equity Program Administrator for the City of Frederick, Maryland
2021	August	Arsene Frederic Jr	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2021	Launched podcast focused on perception and reality
2021	July	Monique Earl	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2007	Named Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)
2021	July	Donna Reed	BA in Political Science and Communications, 1975	Named co-grand marshal of annual Reading Pride Celebration
2021	July	Matt DeWilde	Master of Public Administration & Policy (Online), 2021 | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG 2016 | BA in Political Science, 2016	Started as a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF), working at the National Cancer Institute, Office of Budget and Finance
2021	July	Michael Palinkas	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2012	Promoted to Senior Manager, System Health at GetUpside
2021	July	Sharice Lane	Master of Public Administration & Policy (Online), 2017	Enrolled in American University's Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership program
2021	July	Sandra Mansour	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2021	Hired as a full-time Analyst with the Government Accountability Office - a federal job has always been a goal of mine
2021	July	Denise Winfrey	MS in Organization Development, 1996	Named First Vice President of the National Association of Counties (NACo)
2021	July	Hannah Diamond	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2021	Testified in a New York State Senate Public Hearing to advocate for enhanced job protections for direct care workers
2021	July	Sabrina-Yvette d'Almeida	MS in Organization Development, 2020	Interviewed for a diversity, equity, and inclusion podcast for the Association of Talent Development
2021	July	Mark Fisher	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2011 | BA in Political Science, 2008	Promoted to Director of Advocacy Engagement at the Muscular Dystrophy Association
2021	July	Arsene Frederic Jr	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2021	Launched Frederiq Styles, a fashion consulting agency focused on providing affordable styles to clients
2021	July	Chloe Deitrich	MS in Terrorism & Homeland Security Policy, 2020	Secured the DoD John S McCain Strategic Defense Fellowship cohort 2
2021	June	Adam Rosenblatt	MA in Political Science, 2007 | BA in Political Science, 2006	Served as Kathryn Garcia's chief pollster and message consultant during her historic campaign to become NYC's first female Mayor
2021	June	Michael Palinkas	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2012	Tasked with launching new team in the Operations department at GetUpside - Marketplace Reliability Engineering
2021	June	Michael Otten	PhD in Technology of Management, 1972	Organized a panel of 4 prominent professors from Stanford, NYU and Ohio State to announce publicly an Election Reform Task Force
2021	June	Hannah Diamond	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2021	Hired as State Policy Advocacy Specialist at PHI (Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute)
2021	June	Arsene Frederic Jr	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2021	Named Aerospace & Defense Fellow with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
2021	June	Paige Handley	MA in Political Communication, 2018	Started new job as Research and Policy Director for John King for Governor, for the race for governor of Maryland
2021	May	Eric Cooper	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2012	Earned a MBA from Sacramento State University
2021	May	Emily Schnee	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 2021	Hired as Project Manager with The Marshall Project
2021	April	Carol Wayman	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2002	Lead author on Senator Catherine Cortez Masto's report, "Strategies to Improve the Franchise Model: Preventing Unfair and Deceptive Practices"
2021	April	Derek Smith	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2010	Promoted to Senior Manager, Online Content at NortonLifelock
2021	March	Andrew Clary	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 2016 | BA in Justice & Law, 2014	Assumed program management and data analysis role with Avantus Federal in the development of border shelters to provide temporary housing for migrants at the US-Mexico border
2021	March	Sabrina-Yvette d'Almeida	MS in Organization Development, 2020	Presented at the Association for Talent Development's Organization Development Conference
2021	February	Andrew Clary	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 2016 | BA in Justice & Law, 2014	Promoted to Associate at my current employer Avantus Federal
2021	February	David Uhl	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2009	Named Executive Director of Feeding Washington
2021	January	Will Perkins	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2018	Named Senior Policy Advisor for Ward 4 Washington DC Councilmember Janeese Lewis George
2021	January	Suzanne Steele	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2019 | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG, 2018	Appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration, White House Liaison Office, Office of the Secretary of Energy
2021	January	Leslie Peeler	Master of Public Administration & Policy (Online), 2021	Promoted to Chief Operating Officer, Promontory Financial Group
2021	January	Naomi Miguel	Master of Public Administration & Policy (Online), 2017	Promoted from professional staff to Subcommittee Staff Director, Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States at U.S House of Representatives

2020

Masters (On-Campus)

Year	Month	Name	SPA Degree Earned	Milestone
2020	December	Becca AbuRakia-Einhorn	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2018	Published article on NAFSA's blog titled " "Access is the Minimum: Viewing Education Abroad through a Social Justice Lens"
2020	December	Emily Schnee	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 2021	Hired as Project Coordinator with the International Association of Chiefs of Police
2020	November	Suzanne Steele	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2019 | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG, 2018	Appointed Deputy Director for Georgia Runoff Elections
2020	September	Becca AbuRakia-Einhorn	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2018	Published chapter titled "Supporting Deaf Students in Education Abroad" in the new book "Social Justice and International Education"
2020	August	Moshe Nelson	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2006	Named into part of the Partnership of Grant Thornton LLP,  a global management consulting firm, as a Principal within Grant Thornton's Public Sector practice
2020	July	Adam Rosenblatt	MA in Political Science, 2007 | BA in Political Science, 2006	Named President of Core Decision Analytics (CODA), the opinion insights and data analytics division of the Core Strategic Group
2020	July	Becca AbuRakia-Einhorn	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2018	Published an article in Diversity Abroad's Global Impact Exchange "Not Necessarily Lost in Translation: Deaf Students on Study Abroad"
2020	July	Suzanne Steele	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2019 | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG, 2018	Hired as Democratic Party of Georgia staffer to help flip the state blue
2020	June	Maxwell Isaacoff	Master of Public Administration & Policy (Online), 2020	Hired as Federal and External Affairs Manager, Anthem Inc
2020	June	Abigail McNeal	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2018	Promoted to Team Lead, Government Affairs Data at Bloomberg Government
2020	June	Sabrina-Yvette d'Almeida	MS in Organization Development, 2020	Hired as Chief Talent and Equity Office for Children’s Law Center
2020	April	Rand Robinson	MS in Organization Development, 2004	With my AU education and work experience, came to understand issues of organizational effectiveness and democratic practices, how to manage meetings, large retreats and workshops, develop trust
2020	February	Rebecca Osmolski	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2021	Hired as Digital Communications Assistant for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer at United States Senate
2020	February	Jake Lewis	MA in Political Communication, 2015	Named National Press Secretary for Tom Steyer Presidential campaign
2020	January	Monique Earl	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2007	Named Executive Officer, Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT)
2020	January	Claudette Cox	MA in Political Science, 1981	Served on President Biden's Presidential Campaign Advisory Committee on Climate, Energy, and the Environment

2019-1967

Masters (On-Campus)

Year	Month	Name	SPA Degree Earned	Milestone
2019	November	Michael Otten	PhD in Technology of Management, 1972	Organized an in-person event at NYC Bar Association of 450 Business, Government & Law School alumni for Harvard Professor Michael Porter on Political Duopoly
2019	July	Eric Cooper	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2012	Hired as Director Enterprise Services at California State University Maritime Academy
2019	June	Brandy Brown	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2005 | BA in Interdisciplinary Studies: CLEG, 2003	Appointed Michigan’s first Climate and Energy Advisor to lead The Office of Climate and Energy which was created by Governor Whitmer in 2019
2019	May	Sharice Lane	Master of Public Administration & Policy (Online), 2017	Hired as Early Childhood Special Education Performance Specialist at the Maryland State Department of Education
2019	April	Derek Smith	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2010	Awarded Leader Ace Award at Symantec, presented to a people manager who showed exemplary leadership above and beyond their job role and responsibility
2019	February	John Quaglione	BA in Political Science, 2001	Hired as Deputy Press Secretary for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn
2018	December	John Quaglione	BA in Political Science, 2001	Named Deputy Chief of Staff and Press Secretary, New York State Senator Martin Golden
2018	July	Jonathan Chambers	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2013	Named Vice President for Delta Associates
2018	June	Benjamin Jones	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1996	Named President & CEO of Battery Park City Authority
2017	November	John Quaglione	BA in Political Science, 2001	Elected New York City Council District, 43rd District
2017	October	Michael Otten	PhD in Technology of Management, 1972	Founded "Reform Elections Now" to educate and advocate reforms to improve government by making election process more representative and fair
2017	October	Scot Faulkner	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1978	Co-founded the Foundation for Photobiomodulation (PBM) Research
2016	December	Kenneth Brockman	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1992	Chaired independent safety review board for the CEO and Board of Directors of Southern Company and South Texas Project
2016	June	David Uhl	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2009	Named Recovery Café Network Director
2016	May	Emily Conrad	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2016	Promoted to Director of Development at the Anacostia Watershed Society
2015	May	Jonathan Chambers	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2013	Named Associate for Delta Associates
2015	January	Erin Fuller	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1994 | BA in Political Science, 1993	Named President of MCI USA Association Solutions
2015	January	Eric Miller	Master of Public Policy (MPP), 2013	Hired as Health Insurance Specialist at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
2013	October	Jonquil Clark	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 1978	Retired from First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Family Court Division
2012	October	Monique Earl	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 2007	Named Deputy Mayor, Budget and Financial Policy for City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
2011	December	Robert Davis	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1980	Earned PhD from Virginia Tech in Science and Technology Studies
2011	March	Erin Fuller	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1994 | BA in Political Science, 1993	Named Fellow of ASAE (American Society of Association Executives)
2010	October	Scot Faulkner	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1978	Co-founded the The Dreyfuss Civics Education Initiative with Richard Dreyfuss
2010	July	Earl Johnson	BA in Political Science, 1979	Presidential Appointee for President Obama -- appointed Director of Office of Family Assistance
2009	November	Erin Fuller	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1994 | BA in Political Science, 1993	Named President of Coulter
2009	April	Kirby Bowers	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1977	Appointed and served six years as Executive Director of the Triangle J Council of Governments serving the greater Raleigh Durham NC area
2007	March	Paul Krissel	MS in Organization Development, 2007	Started private practice at age 56 upon completion of my MSOD degree, with the help of retiree health care provided by the AFL-CIO
2005	October	Kenneth Brockman	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1992	Served as the Director for Nuclear Installation Safety, leading a Division at the International Atomic Energy Agency, which won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005
2000	October	Bruce Hudock	BA in Political Science, 1974	Appointed Judge of the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut
2000	August	Stephen Colgate	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1976	Received the Exceptional Service Award from U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno, which is the highest employee award
2000	January	Earl Johnson	BA in Political Science, 1979	Appointed Associate Secretary for Health and Human Services, California
1999	January	Earl Johnson	BA in Political Science, 1979	Published book "Father's Fair Share: Helping Poor Men Manage Child Support and Fatherhood"
1998	July	Scot Faulkner	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1978	Served as Global Practice Leader for the American Management Association
1997	October	Stephen Colgate	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1976	Awarded by President Bill Clinton the Distinguished Senior Executive Service Rank Award
1996	January	Robert Davis	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1980	Testified before Congress at various hearings, including before the Senate Armed Services Committee, as Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Space), on national security space policy, programs, and operations
1992	December	Stephen Colgate	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1976	Appointed by President George H.W. Bush, Assistant Attorney General for Administration by the Attorney with approval of the President, and served as the senior career civil servant
1992	June	Kirby Bowers	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1977	Served 17 years as County Administrator of Loudoun County, Virginia
1990	November	Kenneth Davis	MA in Political Science, 1968 | BA in Political Science, 1966	Elected to the Lower Merion Township (PA) Board of Commissioners, and served for 15 years, including as President
1989	June	Kenneth Brockman	Master of Public Administration (MPA), 1992	Managed the construction and operation of the Emergency Operations Center of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; worked with Ukraine in response to Chernobyl
1984	April	Jonquil Clark	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 1978	Became Real Estate Sales Agent
1983	April	Kenneth Davis	MA in Political Science, 1968 | BA in Political Science, 1966	Launched my own firm Public Affairs Management, then called Duane Morris Government Strategies after we merged with the Duane Morris law firm, following my role of Director of Government Relations Rohm and Haas Company (later acquired by Dow Chemical)
1982	September	Jonquil Clark	MS in Justice, Law & Criminology, 1978	Became a Certified Travel Consultant
1978	January	Bruce Hudock	BA in Political Science, 1974	Appointed Senior Assistant State’s Attorney for State of Connecticut (trial prosecutor)
1977	May	Bruce Hudock	BA in Political Science, 1974	Earned JD at The Catholic University of America
1977	January	Claudette Cox	MA in Political Science, 1981	Helped found The Women's National Bank, now named Abigail Adams National Bancorp, Inc., and served as Co-Chairman of The Women's National Bank Advisory Board (1977 – 1984), the first federally chartered Women's Bank in the country
1969	January	Claudette Cox	MA in Political Science, 1981	Secured staff role on the US Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources and served from 1969 to 1981
1967	April	Kenneth Davis	MA in Political Science, 1968 | BA in Political Science, 1966	Hired in the office of my US Senator Hugh Scott (R-PA) on Capitol Hil while completing my MA degree at AU, and after ten years became his Chief of Staff