ICMA Local Government Early Career Service Certificate - May 2022 Recipients

 

Congratulations to the spring 2022 awardees of the Local Government Early Career Service Certificate. This certificate, launched in May 2019, is for graduating MPA/MPP students who have completed extensive projects for local governments. It also recognizes graduating students in good academic standing who have gone above and beyond the requirements of their degree programs and displayed a commitment to local government service. Students receive the certificate based on nominations submitted by their ICMA Student Chapter faculty advisors at the end of each academic semester.  

 

Chase Barnes | University of Delaware

Chase is originally from Delaware but grew up in rural towns in Missouri and Pennsylvania. He has an undergraduate degree in political science from Columbia College and received a master of public administration from the University of Delaware in May 2022. He is passionate about public service and will pursue a state or local government career after graduation.

 

Cara Gannon | University of Delaware

Cara Gannon is a born and raised Delawarean. She graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelor of arts in 2020 and the UD Professional and Continuing Studies Paralegal Certificate Program. In May 2022, Cara graduated from The Biden School of Public Policy & Administration with a master of public administration and abundant public sector work experience as an Institute for Public Administration Fellow. After graduation, she plans to live in Wilmington, Delaware.

 

Karleen Gernady  | Northern Illinois University 

Karleen received her undergraduate degree in political science with a minor in organizational leadership from Illinois University in 2020. She recently graduated with a master of public administration with a specialization in local government management from Northern Illinois University. Following graduation, Karleen will continue to work in local government as a management analyst with the Village of Lindenhurst.

 

Elizabeth Ann Golshteyn | Florida International University 

Elizabeth was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, to an immigrant family, where her mom pushed her and her brother to be persistent and reach their goals through education. She has a bachelor of science in psychology with a minor in management and just finished a master of public administration with a concentration in project and contract management. She has always had a passion for helping people in her community connect and has found a way to do this through local government. She hopes to one day work in an organization focused on economic development with people who are passionate about building a friendly, open, inclusive, and efficient civic model for the community.

 

Kaitlyn Graham  | University of Georgia 

Kaitlyn is originally from Southern Illinois. She received a bachelor of arts in sociology from The University of Tulsa. Kaitlyn received a master of public administration with a specialization in local government administration from the University of Georgia in May 2022. She is a graduate assistant for the Morehead Honors College and an intern at the Public Utilities Department of Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. After graduation, she will be working for the city of Burien, Washington, as a financial analyst.

 

Rhett Gum  | University of North Texas 

Rhett received his undergraduate degree from Texas Tech University and, before pursuing his MPA, spent eight years working for the United States Congress. He graduated in May 2022 from the University of North Texas with a master of public administration. Rhett is a proud Rotarian, a Paul Harris Fellow, and a member of Pi Alpha Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies. Upon graduating, he hopes to continue his public service while exploring his local government management and economic development interests.

 

Abdoulie Jarju | University of North Texas 

Abdoulie is originally from The Gambia. He received his bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in criminal justice and his master of public administration from the University of North Texas in May 2022. He is currently a management analyst with Saginaw, Texas, and plans to continue working in local government and providing services that change people’s lives.

 

Ayoub Job Kahondogoro  | University of North Texas 

Ayoub is originally from Bujumbura, Burundi. He was a part of the social sciences and administrative politics faculty at the Université du Lac Tanganyika, Bujumbura, Burundi, where he earned his bachelor of political science and international relations. Ayoub received his master of public administration from the University of North Texas in May 2022. Along with his passion for public service, he writes poems in four languages, translates Swahili and French, and teaches French and English. He is currently a management analyst with Saginaw, Texas, and hopes to be a city manager one day.

 

Jordan Kubik  | University of Connecticut

Jordan is from Monroe, Connecticut. She received her bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Connecticut in May 2021, and her master of public administration with a focus on social policy in May 2022 from the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy. After graduation, she will be working with the state of Connecticut Equal Employment Opportunity unit as a leadership trainee.

 

Brendan Laux   | University of Delaware

Brendan Laux received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Delaware in public policy and political science in 2020. He will receive his master of public administration degree from The Biden School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware, with a concentration in data science, innovation, and evidence-based policy. At the university, he served as a research assistant on the education services team in the Institute for Public Administration. He maintained student membership in ICMA, ASPA, and Pi Alpha Alpha honor society. Brendan is originally from Parsippany, New Jersey, and will be returning to New Jersey after graduation to pursue a career as an innovative problem solver at the local level. 

 

Devin Lickollari   | University of Connecticut

Devin Lickollari is originally from Albania and moved to the U.S. in 2008, seeking equitable educational opportunities. He received his bachelor of economics and will receive his master of public administration from the University of Connecticut in May 2022. Devin is proud to call himself a first-generation college graduate and is more than grateful for his parents sacrifices for him to be in this position. He has developed an immense appreciation for management in local government with plans to involve himself in his municipality's political process. After graduation, he will start a position with Travelers Insurance; however, his passion in life will always be to hold a town manager position where he can provide vital policies for his constituents.

Riley Lynch   | Northern Illinois University 

Riley Lynch is from Maple Park, Illinois. She received a bachelor of science in political science with a minor in business administration and a certificate in nonprofit studies from Northern Illinois University. Riley will receive her master of public administration in May 2022 from Northern Illinois University. After graduation, she will continue working for the Village of Gilberts as a management analyst and promote local government transparency, accountability, and professionalism.

 

Joshua Mandall  | Florida International University 

Joshua Mandall is from Miami, Florida. He received his bachelor of political science with a minor in international relations and is graduating with a master of public administration with a certificate in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Florida International University in May 2022. Joshua plans to work in local government and pursue his law degree, and eventually be elected to public office.

 

Joshua Marcus    | University of Connecticut

Joshua is from West Hartford, Connecticut. He is graduating from the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy in May 2022 with a master of public administration degree. After graduation, Joshua will be working for Douglasville, Georgia, as an ICMA Local Government Management Fellow. He looks forward to a change of scenery and new challenges in public administration.

 

Madison Matera    | University of Delaware

Madison is from North Wilmington, Delaware. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware in 2020, majoring in public policy and political science. In May of 2022, she will receive her master of public administration from the University of Delaware. She is currently a Legislative Fellow with the Delaware General Assembly. After the legislative session is over in July, she plans to find work in Philadelphia's policy/politics arena.

 

Jase Ramon Olavarria   | University of Connecticut

Jase is a Puerto Rican student from Bridgeport, Connecticut. He completed his dual bachelor’s degree in honors urban studies and political science with a minor in public policy and Latino studies from the University of Connecticut in May 2021. He wrote an honors thesis for this program, examining the historical ramifications of zoning for his home city of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Jase received his master of public administration from the University of Connecticut School of Public Policy in May 2022. He plans to attend law school part-time in the Fall and work full-time within a nonprofit, local, state, or federal government to drive change and positively influence areas focused on racial justice and equity for the most vulnerable populations within our communities. He dreams of leading and managing a governmental office, department, or branch through a lens of social justice and equity.

 

Sarah Potter  | University of Georgia 

Sarah is from Central New Jersey. She received a bachelor of science in psychology from Christopher Newport University in 2020, with a secondary major in sociology. Sarah graduated in May 2022 with a master of public administration from the University of Georgia, specializing in nonprofit management. She is currently interviewing and looking forward to beginning her career in local government management.

 

Pamela Rochette    | University of Connecticut

Pamela is from Colchester, Connecticut. She earned a bachelor of arts in history and a bachelor of science in legal studies from Roger Williams University in May 2020. Pamela graduated from the University of Connecticut’s School of Public Policy with a master of public administration (MPA) with a concentration in urban planning in May 2022. She will begin her career with the state of Connecticut Department of Administrative Services as a leadership associate working within Talent Solutions.

 

Emily Shaw    | Northern Illinois University 

Emily is from Lake Zurich, Illinois. She received her bachelor's degree in political science with a concentration in public administration from Lake Superior State University. Emily received her master of public administration with a concentration in local government management from Northern Illinois University in May 2022. She is currently the management analyst for the Community and Economic Development Department for the Des Plaines, Illinois.

 

Rachel Widom     | University of Delaware

Rachel is from Hockessin, Delaware. She received a bachelor of arts in public policy with a minor in business administration from the University of Delaware and a master of public administration with a specialization in public management from the University of Delaware in May 2022.  She plans to pursue work in public service upon graduating.

 

 

Other Recipients:

Jude Hage | University of Connecticut

Elizabeth Harry | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Erykah Hoskins | Georgia Southern University 

Katie Jones | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Zack Kier | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Christine Moore | University of Delaware

Misty Santiago  | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Nicholas Tatro  | University of Connecticut

Mindi White   | University of North Carolina at Charlotte