MPA Online Student Spotlight: Linda Reid
1. Tell us a bit about yourself, what inspired you to pursue an MPA and what areas of public service interest you most?
Public service has become an important part of both my personal and professional journey. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work across school districts, municipalities, and county government, experiences that have given me a broader understanding of how public organizations operate and the many ways they serve their communities.
Public service also happens to run in my family. My mother has spent more than 32 years with the Pima County Sheriff's Department, my twin sister works in law enforcement with the City of Tucson, and my aunt recently retired from the U.S. Census Bureau. While we have each taken different paths, service to the public is something we all share.
I hold two bachelor's degrees in Public Administration and Strategic Leadership from Northern Arizona University and am currently pursuing my Master of Public Administration at the University of Arizona. After building my career in public service, I chose to pursue an MPA because I wanted to better understand how I could contribute beyond my individual role and have a greater impact on the organizations and communities I serve. I am especially interested in local government, organizational leadership, and public administration, and I aim to continue building a career where I can contribute to thoughtful decision-making, stronger organizations, and better service to the community.
I am fortunate to have a very supportive husband, Brennan, who has encouraged me throughout my educational and professional journey. Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with him and our three dogs and chickens, walking in nature, working on a good puzzle, playing video games, and relaxing with a good TV show.
Pursuing this degree also holds a great deal of personal significance for me. As a Black and Mexican woman, a first-generation bachelor's degree graduate, and the first person in my immediate family who will earn an MPA, this is an accomplishment I am incredibly proud of. It represents years of persistence, professional growth, and a commitment to creating opportunities that previous generations of my family did not always have access to. For me, earning an MPA is about more than advancing my career. It represents continuing to rise beyond limitations and expectations, creating my own path in spaces where women who share my background have not always had the same opportunities or representation, and making that path a little wider for those who come after me.
2. Can you share a research topic, project, or class that has been particularly meaningful or challenging for you so far?
One of the most meaningful courses I have taken was PA 527: Leadership with Dr. Trese Ricke-Kiely. The course challenged me to think about leadership not simply as a position or title, but as a responsibility to the people and organizations we serve.
I especially valued examining different leadership theories and ethical approaches while reflecting on my own leadership style. I was able to connect the course material to situations I had experienced throughout my career and consider the kind of leader I want to become. The leadership reflections encouraged me to evaluate my experiences, strengths, and areas for growth and reinforced my goal of continuing to grow into leadership roles within public service.
3. What skills or lessons have you gained through the MPA Online program, and how have these experiences shaped your personal and professional goals?
The MPA program has strengthened my skills in leadership, policy analysis, critical thinking, communication, and understanding organizational dynamics. One of the most valuable lessons has been learning to look beyond an immediate issue and consider the larger systems, policies, people, and decisions that influence it.
I came into the program with practical knowledge gained through years of working in public service. My coursework has helped me better understand the "why" behind many of those experiences and connect practice with theory.
Professionally, the program has strengthened my desire to pursue opportunities in leadership, project management, and public administration where I can contribute to organizational improvement and better service delivery. Personally, it has reinforced my belief that continuing to challenge myself through education can expand what I believe is possible for my future.
4. What advice would you give to new MPA Online students about getting the most out of the program?
My advice would be to bring your own experiences into the classroom while remaining open to learning from others. Students come from different professional and personal backgrounds, and those perspectives can make the material much more meaningful. When you can connect a leadership theory, policy concept, or organizational challenge to something you have experienced or observed, the coursework becomes much more than an assignment.
Finally, give yourself grace while staying committed. Many students are balancing careers, families, and other responsibilities while pursuing their education. There will be challenging weeks, but those moments are part of the process. Ensure to ask questions, communicate with your professors, engage with your classmates, and remember why you started. You do not have to have every step of your career mapped out to recognize that you are building skills that will serve you throughout your career.