Congratulations to the winter 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.  

 

Michelle Blazewicz  | University of Texas at Dallas

Michelle received her undergraduate degree in sociology and French from Muhlenberg College in 2018. She completed her master in public administration in December 2022. Michelle was born and raised in New Jersey, moved to Texas about four years ago, and never looked back. She loves how lively Texas is and how it has afforded her career so much opportunity. Michelle looks forward to continuing her job as a Ph.D. program manager and working in higher education.  

 

 

Gabrielle Dunlap  | University of Texas at Dallas 

Gabrielle was raised in North Carolina and moved to Dallas, Texas, to complete her graduate degree and further her professional career. She has a graduate certificate in nonprofit management and six years in the nonprofit sector. She hopes to transition to human resources, where she will focus on creating employee-centric cultures.

 

Taylor Enkhnasan | Northern Illinois University 

Taylor is originally from UB, Mongolia. She received a bachelor of arts in justice studies with a minor in criminology from Northeastern Illinois University. She received her master in public administration in December 2022 from Northern Illinois University. After graduation, she will continue working for the Skokie Police Department as a management analyst and promote local government accountability, innovation, and professionalism. 

 

Brandon Frye   | Wayne State University 

Brandon got his undergraduate degree in political science with a history minor and his graduate degree in public administration from Wayne State University. He has been working in Lincoln Park, Michigan, since August, first as an intern and then hired officially as an employee in October. Brandon plans to continue to work in government in some capacity and is challenging himself to move to a new city, either Chicago or D.C., in the very near future.

 

Timothy Johnson   | Northern Illinois University 

Timothy is from Salem, Illinois. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in May 2020 with a bachelor of arts in political science and minors in Chinese studies, Southeast Asian studies, and history. Timothy graduated from Chiang Mai University in Thailand with a master in public policy in August 2022 and completed his double degree with a master in public administration from Northern Illinois University in December 2022. He plans on working in a local government for a few years before moving to federal government, with hopes of one day working at the State Department, CIA, or as a staffer for a congressperson in Washington, DC.

 

Jonathan Kabuye | University of Texas at Dallas 

Jonathan has lived in multiple locations worldwide but spent most of his formative years in Kenya. He received his bachelor's degree from St. Lawrence University with a performance and communication arts major. Jonathan received his master of public administration from the University of Texas at Dallas in December 2022. He is passionate about using what he learned through his degree program by developing training processes that will help provide solutions that will assist organizations in achieving their goals. Hence, his after-graduation plan consists of continuing his learning and organizational development career.

 

Edgar Miranda | University of Texas at Dallas  

Edgar was born and raised in the Dallas area, but his family has roots in Mexico. He graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a master of public affairs in December 2022. Edgar plans to look for a job in either the local, state, or federal level of government post-graduation. He doesn’t know exactly where his future career will take him, but he plans to make a difference in this world! 

 

Heather Oltmann  | University of Texas at Dallas

Heather is a Michigan native who graduated from Cleary University with a BBA in business management with magna cum laude honors. She moved to Texas in 2016 and works full time for the University of Texas at Dallas as an administrative services officer, where she also completed her master of public affairs in December 2022. Heather is also a member of Pi Alpha Alpha. After graduating, she plans to continue working and volunteering in the public sector.

 

Christian Smith  | University of Texas at Dallas

Christian is originally from Houston, Texas. He received his bachelor's degree in economics with a minor in geographic information science from the University of Texas at Dallas. Christian graduated with his master of public affairs degree with concentrations in local government management and nonprofit management from the University of Texas at Dallas in December 2022. He currently works as the economic development analyst for the Allen Economic Development Corporation and plans to continue his career in local government.  

 

Anothony Stillo   | University of South Florida

Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida, Tony graduated from St. Petersburg College with a bachelor of science degree in public policy and administration. He was vice president of the St. Petersburg College Student Chapter and serves on the Citizens Advisory Committee for Forward Pinellas. He recently received his master of public administration from the University of South Florida. He has worked on several public involvement campaigns with HDR Engineering's Multimedia Studio, and has served Pinellas County in various roles over the past ten years, currently with the Pinellas County Tax Collector. He is an intern for Pinellas County's Sustainability and Resiliency Program, where he hopes to help complete the county's Leadership and Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for Cities and Communities Certification. Tony is interested in urban planning and civil engineering and hopes to become a city manager one day.

Parker Tidwell   | University  of Central Oklahoma

Parker is from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He recently graduated with a bachelor of arts in political science and a bachelor of science in forensic science from the University of Central Oklahoma. Parker doesn't have any plans for graduate school, but he wants to continue his education and professional experiences in other manners, such as research and educating others on sustainability.

 

Derrick Vore | University  of West Georgia 

Derrick is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He completed an undergraduate degree in health and community wellness from the University of West Georgia. Derrick quickly grew interested in working within his community and wanted to make an impact. Shortly after, in 2022, he graduated with a master in public administration from the University of West Georgia. He is passionate about helping others and wants to make an impact on his local and county government.

 

 

Other Recipients:

Zakiya Daniel | Georgia Southern University 

Rayniqua Hamilton | Mills College at Northeastern University  

Ella Hargrove | North Carolina Central University 

Angelica Kelly | University of  Texas at Dallas

Michaela Kraft | University of  Texas at Dallas

Bronte Kuehnis | Mills College at Northeastern University  

Christian Shellman  |  Georgia Southern University