Alumni profile: A commitment to public service

For Sherri Oliver, public service is not just a professional sector, it is a lifelong commitment to the people and communities of Southeast Ohio.

As the executive director for community health programs at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, Oliver (MPA '14) manages a diverse range of initiatives ranging from direct clinical care to running one of the state's longest-running AmeriCorps programs. It was a privilege to sit down with Oliver and hear about her journey in her own words.

Sherri Oliver shares her story

My path in public service truly solidified after my undergrad years at Ohio University, where I served for two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Vinton County.

I grew up in Zanesville, and while I might not have predicted staying in the region when I was in high school, working directly with these communities made me fall in love with the area in an unexpected way. I knew then that I wanted to focus my career and future education on the public sector right here in Southeast Ohio.

A real-time feedback loop

I chose the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service Executive MPA Program while I was working at Athens County Children Services. During those two years, I transitioned into a new role as the executive director at Live Healthy Appalachia, and having that cohort of working professionals was an incredible resource.

The program provided a real-time feedback loop. We would discuss theories or leadership concepts in class, and I could physically see those same situations playing out at my job the very next week.

Taking the learning out of a purely theoretical space made the juggling act of work and school not only manageable but essential to my growth as a leader.

Evaluating community impact

Since joining the Heritage College in 2017, I’ve had the chance to work on projects that directly improve lives across the region. One of the most rewarding experiences was collaborating with the Voinovich School on a "Social Return on Impact" study.

For the first time, we were able to take the work we do, like our Family Navigator Program for high-risk pregnant moms or our free health clinics, and put a concrete dollar amount on that impact. Being able to show the economic and financial value of our work to the Southeast Ohio community is something our entire department is incredibly proud of.

No typical day

In my current role, there is no such thing as a "typical day," and I love that variety. One hour I might be focused on high-level strategic planning, and the next, I am acting as a greeter at our monthly food pantry to make sure community members feel welcome and informed.

Whether it's clinical care or continuing education for health professionals, every day offers a different way to meet the needs of our neighbors.

Words of wisdom

If I could give any advice to students, it would be to stay open to opportunities and never limit your definition of what the public sector looks like. My career moved from an environmental non-profit to child welfare and eventually to community health. Every step was additive; the connections I made in one field continue to help me in the next.

Also, don't feel like you have to rush into a master’s degree immediately after undergrad. I waited six years to start my MPA, and that professional experience made me so much better prepared to engage in the conversation. It is never too late to go back and figure out what you are truly passionate about.