Strengthening her nonprofit career with an MPA

When Jenna Pfeiffer decided to pursue her Master of Public Administration (MPA) at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, it marked a turning point in how she envisioned her future.

She knew a graduate degree would eventually be part of her path, but choosing the MPA while working full time, holding a part-time job, and managing a packed schedule was a commitment she made with intention.

“I’ve always pictured myself getting a master’s,” Pfeiffer said. “But the MPA felt like the right degree for where I am and where I want to go.”

Pfeiffer is a senior philanthropy coordinator at the OhioHealth Foundation, where she supports fundraisers, manages stewardship efforts and helps donors understand the impact of their gifts. She did not originally plan to work in philanthropy. Her bachelor’s degree is in hospitality management, but she quickly discovered how meaningful nonprofit work could be.

“I knew I wanted something mission driven,” Pfeiffer said. “Nonprofits are purposeful in a way that feels different from the for-profit world. You are actually making an impact.”

Succeeding in college while working full time

As she explored graduate programs, Pfeiffer compared several options. Ohio University stood out for its flexibility, strong reputation and positive reviews from colleagues, including a former director who completed the same program. The online format made it possible for her to pursue graduate study while maintaining two jobs, and she found the structure to be clear and supportive.

“You can tell everything is thoughtfully organized,” Pfeiffer said. “The professors are helpful, encouraging and always available. It makes the workload feel manageable, even with everything I have going on.”

The MPA has already strengthened her professional toolkit. One course on donor retention and stewardship aligned directly with her daily responsibilities. Other classes introduced her to organizational structures, leadership concepts and nonprofit operations from new angles. 

“There is a lot that connects to my work,” Pfeiffer said. “And some things help me understand what my colleagues do behind the scenes. It all comes together.”

Opportunities to take on more responsibility, deepen her impact

Looking ahead, Pfeiffer sees the MPA as a catalyst for continued growth in her nonprofit career. She is especially interested in deepening her impact within the philanthropic and healthcare space, where she can apply what she is learning to leadership and strategy roles.

“There is a lot of room to grow,” Pfeiffer said. “The MPA gives me the skills and confidence to take on more responsibility and better serve the mission I care about.”

Earlier this year, Pfeiffer was awarded the Marty Wall MPA Scholarship in Public Administration. She said the support reinforced her decision to pursue graduate school while balancing multiple professional commitments.

“I am really appreciative of this experience,” Pfeiffer said. “This program has been such a good fit for me, and this scholarship means a lot.”