MORPC, Ohio University Partner to Enhance Careers in Public Service
February 17, 2020
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and Ohio University announced a partnership that will encourage more public-sector professionals to pursue a graduate degree, while also providing students with practical experience in local government.
Through the partnership, MORPC will promote the Ohio University Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs’ Executive Master of Public Administration (MPA) and online MPA programs to MORPC’s local government members. Employees who work at MORPC and for its member governments are eligible to receive a $1,000 incentive scholarship for their first academic term in either program.
“MORPC and OU are partners in helping local governments succeed. Central Ohio depends on a public service work force that has the latest skills and best practices to better serve residents and businesses,” MORPC Executive Director William Murdock said. “This new partnership will connect staff members at more than 70 member governments in the Central Ohio region to OU’s leading programs in public administration, so they can improve their professional abilities with the knowledge and skill set that result from an MPA degree. We hope this not only strengthens them as individuals, but also better prepares local communities for the challenges of the future.”
MORPC will also coordinate the placement of two Ohio University undergraduate or graduate students into internships through its local government summer internship program. The students – who will have worked with or had an affiliation with the Voinovich School – will gain real-world experience working for a local government and benefit from additional opportunities offered through MORPC’s program.
“Through MORPC’s partnership with the Ohio University’s Voinovich School, we can work to build the leaders of tomorrow, giving them the tools to enhance leadership capacity at the local level and the state of Ohio’s capabilities to create solutions to challenges facing local communities,” Voinovich School Dean Mark Weinberg said.
MORPC serves as a resource for local officials as they make decisions about economic growth, development, transportation, energy and environmental sustainability. The MPA program and scholarship will be shared through MORPC’s annual events, member forums, presentations and other communications from the agency.
The university and MORPC plan to strengthen their partnership as more mutually beneficial opportunities become available in the future.