MPA COMPETENCIES
Communicating effectively both orally (public speaking) and in writing (analytical and persuasive) for a public service organization and in the public policy process.
As a Public Service Personnel, having effective oral and written communication skills is key to growth in my career. My four years of undergraduate studies at the University of Ghana equipped me with this skill. My minor course in Adult Education entailed a lot of group presentations that prepared me adequately to be a good public speaker. Also working as a teaching assistant enabled me to have interactions with diverse students during tutorial sessions which improved my oral communication skills. I also embarked on data collection projects for research which enabled me to build on my oral communication skills.  My MPA journey has honed this skill as well.
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Below are some memos I wrote for my Public Financial Revenue Analysis and New Governance class
Effectively work with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
I got the chance to coordinate extensive research projects being conducted by professors from across the United States while working as a research assistant at NIU. I also interned with the Chicago Housing Department's construction and compliance division, where I took part in a number of meetings and conversations with minority contractors to determine how the department's initiatives could best benefit them. Also, I had the chance to collaborate with an array of students from all backgrounds on projects during my MPA journey.
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I presented a presentation document below to the City of Chicago's program auditors and commissioners on some selected funding sources.
Evaluate public service issues in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and economy.
Throughout my MPA journey, we examined public service issues through these lenses. For our Capstone project, my team and I worked on exploring evaluation methods for the police social worker program of McHenry County through the lens of effectiveness, equity, and efficiency.
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Below is a Research Proposal on the issues of social equity and our final Capstone Paper.
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SPECIALIZATION COMPETENCIES
Identify the legal and fiduciary environment in which nonprofits operate.
My team and I examined the YMCA of Kishwaukee's board and leadership. We reviewed the revenue composition of the organization, calculated financial ratios, and analyzed them using Charity Navigator and non-profit best practices. We suggested that the board be more representative and demonstrated that the organization deserves the proposed $1000 donation from our professor.
Below is a presentation we compiled.
Analyze financial reports and fundraising activities and make recommendations to promote financial sustainability.
My team and I prepared a strategic report in collaboration with our professor, board members, and staff. The report entailed a Case for Support for HFHDC, a revenue analysis, a SWOT analysis, and a Restore feasibility study.
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Below is the final report and presentation.
Communicate and interact productively with a diverse and changing workforce and citizenry in a country outside the US.
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Lead and manage public governance in a country outside the US.
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Analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make decisions in a country outside the US.
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I am originally from Ghana, a West African country. I did take on several job roles that entailed working with a diverse workforce.
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I also served as a teaching assistant, where I facilitated tutorial sessions for undergraduate students. I acted as an examination proctor for distance and undergraduate students at the University of Ghana.
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Below is a presentation for a project I worked on during my MPA on organizational lapses at my internship in Ghana and my Undergraduate Long essay on "The Role of Civil Society Organizations play in Increasing Women's Political Representation in Ghana's Parliament"
