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Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service
Ohio University
Building 21, The Ridges
1 Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701 – 2979
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Student Spotlight: Kristen Hosni

Kristen Hosni Headshot

Introduce Yourself 

I was born and raised in Northeast Ohio and obtained my Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University in 1998. I lived and worked in Michigan from 2000-2007 and then moved back to Ohio where I have lived for the past 15 years. I am in my final semester of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and will be graduating in May 2023. 

Why did you choose the Voinovich School and the Online MPA program? What concentration did you select and why? 

I chose the Voinovich School because I knew without a doubt that the program would be a quality education. I explored several MPA programs, but I kept coming back to the Voinovich School after seeing the partnership with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission and hearing feedback from the City of Hilliard's Operations Director and OHIO MPA alumnus, Larry Lester.

I became interested in and chose the Crisis and Emergency Management concentration because, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I felt compelled to learn more about how to lead in times of crisis. 

Tell us about your area of research or project work you have conducted in your program and what you have learned. 

I am very passionate about the environment. For my policy brief, my topic was, “Extending the Life of the Franklin County Sanitary Landfill by Reducing Food Waste.” An astonishing one million pounds of food waste arrives at this landfill every day! I enjoyed researching the current policy framework and outlining alternatives to divert food waste from the landfill. This work has included implementing composting at my office and continuing to educate colleagues, friends, and families about the benefits of keeping food waste out of the landfill. 

How have you applied your coursework in your career?

Kristen Hosni Recycling

My career is two-fold. I work full-time for a consulting firm that works with public clientele, and I serve on two local commissions, including the Environmental Sustainability Commission for the City of Hilliard. In my full-time job, I have learned how to prepare the company I work for when it comes to crises. In my public servant roles, I have learned how to provide valuable feedback and make recommendations in regard to policy and how to be a better leader as the Chairperson of an 11-person commission. 

What is the best leadership advice you have received? 

Throughout this program, I learned the difference between being a manager and being a leader, and the following quote from President Eisenhower hits the nail on the head. “Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.” - Dwight D. Eisenhower 

What has been your favorite class and why? 

I have a tie between two classes. I really enjoyed Organizational Leadership because of the self-assessment which opened my eyes to my current leadership strengths and what kind of leader I want to become. I also liked Public Budgeting because I am typically scared of numbers and financials, but I overcame that fear in this class. 

What do you like most about your program? 

Although I chose the online MPA pathway, I still feel connected to my classmates and professors. I made really meaningful relationships through the program.

What are your future career goals? 

I already have an amazing career; however, I am passionate about the environment, crisis communication, and serving my communities as much as I can. The possibilities are endless!