Are you an ICMA member? Why did you join, and how long have you been a member?
I have been a member of ICMA since 2016 and a member of FCCMA since 2022. I became aware of both organizations while working for the City of Sunny Isles Beach and enrolled in the Ph.D. in Public Affairs program at Florida International University. I served on FCCMA’s Membership Committee from 2020 to 2022, and I currently serve on ICMA’s Graduate Education Committee. I’m passionate about public service and public service education. My involvement with both organizations stems from their commitment to elevating the professionalism of local government management and supporting the education and career development of current and future public service leaders.
Please describe your areas of formal/advanced education.
I am a three-time graduate of Florida International University, earning my Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, Master of Public Administration, and Ph.D. in Public Affairs. My research interests include public management, government contracting, local government administration, and human resources management. My most recent research has been published in Public Administration Review, Review of Public Personnel Administration, International Journal of Public Administration, and the Journal of Cleaner Production. I am the proud recipient of Public Administration Review’s 2025 William E. Mosher and Frederick C. Mosher Award for best article written by an academic, and Academy of Management Public and Nonprofit Division’s 2025 Best Article Award Honorable Mention for my co-authored research on government contracting.
Why did you select a career in public service?
I became interested in the public sector in my middle school civics class. Since that time, I knew I wanted to work in public service and make a difference in the community. Therefore, I was intentional about pursuing an education and employment that would help me achieve that. I joined the military after 9/11, serving in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Civil Affairs Specialist for eight years. During my service in the military, I was deployed to the Horn of Africa under Operation Enduring Freedom and served in missions to the Dominican Republic and Honduras. With the intention of gaining more knowledge and an educational foundation to be an effective public servant, I pursued a Master of Public Administration degree and began a career in local government, where I worked for ten years. It was my experience working for local government that truly inspired and motivated me to pursue my field of study – public management. Experiencing first-hand the dilemmas faced by local government encouraged me to research areas that support informed decision-making and assist government agencies in addressing pressing issues within their organizations and communities. Now, as an academic, I continue to engage with local governments and conduct research to support the important work they do.
Please tell us about your current position and give a brief job description if you are not a City Administrator/Manager.
I’m an Assistant Professor in the School of Public Administration at the University of Central Florida, where I teach several courses in their Master of Public Administration program. Prior to that role, I served four years as an Assistant Professor of Public Administration at North Carolina Central University. I also currently serve on the International City/County Management Association’s (ICMA) Graduate Education Committee. Additionally, I am an advisory board member for NIGP: The Institute for Public Procurement’s Center for the Advancement of Research and Excellence. I also serve as an Associate Editor for Public Administration Quarterly. Prior to my role in academia, I worked in local government with the City of Sunny Isles Beach (FL) for ten years, most recently serving as the Assistant to the City Manager, coordinating capital improvement projects, handling department budget preparation, managing grants, and directing emergency management efforts. I’m also a proud veteran, having served in the U.S. Army Reserves for eight years.
What is your favorite part of the job?
One of the most rewarding aspects of academia is teaching and collaborating with students. The School of Public Administration (SPA) at the University of Central Florida is dedicated to delivering a high-quality education that empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to make a meaningful impact. I’m excited to be part of their journey, supporting them as they grow into leaders making an impact in communities nationwide. The faculty at SPA are also among the best in the field and it’s an honor to work alongside such brilliant and accomplished scholars.
