What's new in the MPA program

Congratulations to our Fall 2025 MPA graduates -- Kara, Kelli, Michael, Jennifer, Miles, Kayla, Tyler, Shayla and Luke!

Check out photos from commencement and read about other MPA news.

MPA events

Join us for the MPA Spring Banquet on Thursday,
March 26, to celebrate the 2026 MPA award recipients, Pi Alpha Alpha inductees and graduating students. All MPA students, prospective students, alumni and friends are welcome at this free event!

Learn more about the banquet and other events here.

Alumni and student awards

Three of our NKU MPA people were nominated for the Next Generation Leader Awards (NGLAs) by the Northern Kentucky Young Professionals (NKYP) and won their respective categories! Congratulations to Josh Tunning (MPA 2016), Emily Kitzmiller North (MPA 2018) and Nick Wade (MPA student).

Read about them and other alumni and student awards here.

Faculty highlights

Dr. Melissa Moon received the 2025 Benefactor Award from the Kentucky Women's Law Enforcement Network!

Read about Dr. Moon’s award and other faculty highlights here.

Alumni highlights

Niki Marengo (MPA 2017) is opening a new venue with a kitchen, bar and stage in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Pleasant Ridge.

Learn more about Arrow Post and other alumni highlights here.

Student highlights

MPA students' capstone projects have an impact beyond the classroom. One recent example is Trevor Bonar's project to improve pedestrian safety in Bellevue, KY. This project included working with Campbell Media on a PSA video.

Watch the video and catch up on other student highlights here.

New jobs and promotions

Mallory Bane (MPA Student), infrastructure planner, Buffalo Trace Area Development
District
Drake Bryan (MPA 2012), division manager for performance and data analytics, City of Cincinnati
Brianna Carman (MPA Student), associate director of philanthropy, Bluegrass Care
Navigators
Clayton Castle (MPA 2024), marketing and public relations coordinator, Princeton City School District
Mayra Sidler Guzman (MPA 2018), director of impact, Cooperative for Education
Sydney Gebka Humphrey (2021), Norse Network Hub partnerships manager, Northern
Kentucky University
David Johnston (MPA 2008), police chief, UC Health
Kevin Laudat (MPA 2016), assistant vice president platform manager, US Bank
Dave Moore (MPA 2006), chief of fire aviation, Texas A&M Forest Service
Colton Simpson (MPA 2022), Grant County clerk, Grant County Fiscal Court
Lynn Smith (NPM 2016), director of development for clinical programs, University of
Cincinnati Foundation
David Solomon (MPA 2013), chief operating officer, Mayerson JCC
Josh Tunning (MPA 2016), municipal specialist, City of Newport
Stephanie Wical (MPA 2023), AmeriCorps & intern program manager, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden.

© 2026. Northern Kentucky University. All rights reserved.
College of Arts and Sciences
Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: (859) 572-5326 | Email: mpa@nku.edu

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