Congratulations to the spring 2023 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.  

 

William Brooks | University of Georgia 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Will combines experience in the arts and nonprofit sectors with a passion for city management and local government. He received his undergraduate degree in music from California State University, Northridge, in 2018, and graduated with an MPA from the University of Georgia in spring 2023, where he also served as the ICMA Student Chapter President at UGA. In June 2023, he will begin working as a management associate for Scottsdale, Arizona.

 

 

Kellye Ducre | North Carolina Central University

Kellye is well-traveled and has made Durham, North Carolina, her home. She is a decorated U.S. Army veteran and served in Operation Desert Storm. After being medically retired, she completed her undergraduate degree at Meredith College with an interior design major and a professional writing minor. Kellye completed an MPA from North Carolina Central University in spring 2023. She is passionate about environmental issues, and her ultimate goal is to create policies that curb the overproduction and overuse of plastics.

 

William Golden | Georgia Southern University

William moved around the country for most of his life but calls Savannah, Georgia, home. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, receiving his BFA in art history and recently completed his MPA from Georgia Southern University. His professional background in art history, academia, politics, and public administration has allowed for a unique perspective in finding innovative solutions, and he looks forward to putting his skills to use to achieve a positive impact in the public sector.

 

Rasheda Kelly | North Carolina Central University

Rasheda is a New Orleans, Louisiana, native and was raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her business administration undergraduate degree with a marketing major from Clayton State University. Rasheda graduated from North Carolina Central University in May 2023 with an MPA. She is passionate about digital media inclusion and advocating for the inclusive accessibility of digital learning tools for all individuals.

 

Margaret Kijinski  | University of Georgia 

Margaret grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, until she moved with her family to Fredonia, New York, as a teenager. She holds a bachelor's degree from Oberlin College and recently graduated from the University of Georgia's MPA program in May 2023. This summer, Margaret will begin the Leadership Fellow Program at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

 

Brett Kohler  | Georgia Southern University

Brett was born and raised in Ellabell, Georgia. He graduated from Georgia Southern University in December 2020 with an undergraduate political science degree with a public administration minor. He decided to stay at Georgia Southern and graduated with an MPA in May 2023. While in graduate school, he accepted a position as a planner II with the Bryan County Community Development Department. Brett is passionate about helping others and hopes to build a career in the local government sector.

 

Kathleen Kubecka  | University of Central Oklahoma

Kathleen is originally from Frisco, Texas. She has an undergraduate degree in political science, focusing on public administration. She hopes to return home to work for her city's government and help create more parks and safe zones for children of all ages. 

 

 

Meghan LaPointe | University of Delaware

From Pembroke, New Hampshire, Meghan received a bachelor’s degree in public policy from the University of Delaware in 2021 and an MPA in May 2023, with a concentration in leadership. While at the University of Delaware, Meghan worked as a graduate researcher and judicial fellow, as the president of UD’s ICMA Student Chapter, and as the treasurer of the UD Figure Skating Team. After graduation, she will be a management analyst with the Delaware Administrative Office of the Courts.

 

Madalaine McConville  | Arizona State University 

Madalaine received her bachelor's degree in applied social science from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 2020. After growing up in Wisconsin, she moved to Arizona, where she completed a master of public policy in May 2023 from Arizona State University. Madalaine was awarded the Marvin Andrews Fellowship in Urban Management and, during the graduate program, worked as a management fellow in the Tempe city manager's office. She will continue to work in Tempe and plans to have a long career in local government.

 

Ashley Robbins| North Carolina Central University

Ashley obtained a bachelor of arts in communications with a media concentration and a bachelor of arts in African studies in 2006 from North Carolina State University. She graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Central University in May 2023 with an MPA and an urban planning concentration. She served as ICMA student chapter president from fall 2021 to spring 2022.  Her community work and advocacy in Durham focus on multi-marginalized communities and individuals with disabilities. Upon graduation, Ashley will be joining Wake Tech Community College as an assistive technology manager, working to ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to higher education.

 

Alexandra Robinson  | University of Georgia 

Born and raised in Gwinnett County, Georgia, Alex graduated with a bachelor of arts in psychology from the University of West Georgia in 2016. She obtained an MPA with a specialization in public policy from the University of Georgia in May 2023. She is an economic development manager for the Gwinnett County's Office of Economic Development.

Brian Ulbricht| University of Georgia

Originally from Astoria, Oregon, Brian served nine years in the U.S. Army before earning his undergraduate degree from Western Oregon University. He graduated in May 2023 with an MPA from the University of Georgia, specializing in local government administration. During his time in Georgia, Brian has worked on various projects serving rural communities in Georgia. After graduation, he will serve as an ICMA Local Government Management Fellow with Pinellas County, Florida. 

 

TJ Wiley| East Tennessee State University 

Originally from Johnson City, Tennessee, TJ graduated from East Tennessee State University with bachelor of science degrees in political science and psychology in 2019 and an MPA in 2023. During his studies, TJ has worked with the Naval Sea Systems Command, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and as a graduate research assistant with East Tennessee State University. Upon graduation, he hopes to find work as an analyst at any government level or join the U.S. Foreign Service.

Collin Willard| University of Delaware

Collin is a graduate student at the University of Delaware in the Biden School of Public Policy and Administration's 4+1 M.A. Urban Affairs and Public Policy program. He received a bachelor's degree in 2022, double-majoring in public policy and history. During his time at UD, Collin played a crucial role in launching the Institute for Public Administration's Grant Assistance Program, an initiative focused on assisting Delaware local governments with pursuing and managing federal grant opportunities to maximize the opportunities presented by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. After graduation, Collin will join Institute for Public Administration in a full-time role to continue working on the grant assistance program.

 

Khamani “Gigi” Williamson| Tulane University 

Gigi is from Norfolk, Virginia. She received an undergraduate degree in geological science from the University of Miami and an MPA with a concentration in economic development from Tulane University in May 2023. She is passionate about helping others and wants to make an impact in local government. Gigi plans to continue her education and start a doctoral program in the fall.

Scott Windell| Auburn University 

Born and raised in upstate New York, where Scott joined the Air National Guard and worked as a state corrections officer. He pursued his undergraduate degree from Arizona State University while serving on Air Force Honor Guard out of Boston, Massachusetts, then the 9th Civil Support Team in Los Alamitos, California. Scott and his wife moved to Fort Benning, Georgia, in 2021, where Scott received an MPA in May 2023 from Auburn University. He is returning to the active component as an Army Officer following graduation and will help fellow veterans in sharing education and local government opportunities to help them transition from military service into a new public service capacity.

Other Recipients: 

 

Tatiana Galdamez| University of Delaware