Phillip Matthew Dellinger

Matt is a recent graduate from Cherryville, North Carolina. He earned a B.S. in History and in Political Science from Western Carolina University.

Q1: Matt, you are finished with your MPA!  Congratulations, how does it feel?

 A: It feels great to be done, but I will certainly miss interacting with my peers on a day-to-day basis and learning from their different experiences.

Q2: Tell us about your initial decision to pursue an MPA.  Did you consider other grad degrees?

A: My initial decision was based on a state and local government class I took at Western Carolina, taught by Dr. Chris Cooper. I had the opportunity to interact with officials in municipal government and learn about the important roles they play in their communities. I had considered law school, but I ultimately felt more passionate about serving the public.

Q3: What surprised you most about being a student on-campus?

A: I think the most surprising thing was the number of opportunities given to explore different parts of the MPA through extra events, conversations with professors, or just general conversations with colleagues.

Q4: Can you tell us about a favorite class, specific project or experience, or meaningful professor in the program, and what you gained from it?

A: I think my favorite experience was going to ICMA and interaction with City Managers from across the country. It was also interesting to see how our MPA program stood out amongst so many others. I gained a new appreciation for the “wicked problems” we face as public servants and how we come together to discuss and debate best practices to try and tackle those problems. Every speaker or moderator was incredibly passionate about their contribution to solving those problems.

Q5: What advice do you have for those considering going back to school or starting a career in public service?

A: If you’re thinking about going back to school or starting a career in public service, I would say it’s worth the leap. Everyone I’ve talked to shows their commitment to making their communities better and wants to improve the lives of residents both now and in the future. If you are forward-thinking or passionate about things like environmental protection, community development, and much more, I would say it is fully worth diving into and learning all you can.

Q6: What are you looking forward to in your career?

 A: I am most excited to connect with other public sector leaders to learn how to improve our practices and expand my knowledge. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by many great mentors who are investing time and resources in me so I can succeed.

Q7: And a fun question to end with.  What are you reading or listening or looking forward to most this summer?

A: Going to the beach and relaxing for the first time since graduation is what I am most excited about!