MPA Online Student Spotlight: Vika Nimenya
1. Tell us a bit about yourself, what inspired you to pursue an MPA and what areas of public service interest you most?
My name is Vika Estimeé Nimenya, and I am Burundian. Burundi is a small country in East Africa, and some may say I’m being biased, but it truly is the heart of Africa. When you look at it on the map, it is shaped like a heart. My decision to pursue higher education comes from my background as an immigrant. Moving from my home country to a neighboring country and eventually resettling in the United States created instability in my early education. So, when we were settled in the United States of America, pursuing higher education was something I wanted for myself. It was a personal goal because there was a time when that opportunity was not available to me.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Arizona, and I decided to pursue my MPA because I wanted to build on what I had already learned through journalism. Journalism taught me how to tell stories and report on what is happening in our communities, but I wanted to better understand the systems, policies, and decisions behind those stories. I wanted to understand not only what is happening to people in our communities, but also the issues they are facing and how they can be addressed. I am particularly interested in immigration and making public resources more accessible to immigrant communities. My own experience has shown me how difficult it can be to navigate unfamiliar systems, especially when you are trying to understand where to go, who to ask, and what resources are available to you. I want to learn more about how we can make those resources easier for immigrant communities to understand and access.
2. Can you share a research topic, project, or class that has been particularly meaningful or challenging for you so far?
One class that has been particularly meaningful to me has been Collaborative Governance. It has been interesting to learn about something we see happening around us all the time but do not always see the structure behind it. We often see a problem being addressed or a community receiving resources, but we do not always think about all the organizations and people working behind the scenes to make that happen. The class has helped me understand how public agencies, nonprofits, private organizations, and other stakeholders come together to address complex societal issues. It has been fun to recognize some of the theories and concepts we discuss in class in situations I see in my own community and workplace.
A challenging part of the program for me has been managing my time while being a student and working a full-time job. Balancing work, school, assignments, and everything else that comes with everyday life can be challenging, especially when the courses are only seven weeks long. It has taught me to be more intentional with my time and stay organized.
3. What skills or lessons have you gained through the MPA Online program, and how have these experiences shaped your personal and professional goals?
One of the biggest skills I have been learning through this program is collaboration. It is something I have seen consistently throughout my courses, whether it is working on a project together, completing peer reviews for each other’s projects, or even through a simple discussion post. Each of these experiences has allowed me to work with others, share ideas, and learn from different perspectives. I think collaboration is an important part of public administration because it requires working with different people, organizations, and perspectives to address the issues that communities face. These courses have helped me practice that skill and understand its importance in public administration.
4. What advice would you give to new MPA Online students about getting the most out of the program?
My advice to new MPA Online students would be not to underestimate how much you can learn in a seven-week course. The courses move quickly, but there is still a lot you can take away from them. I would encourage students to stay organized, engage with the material, communicate with their classmates and professors, and ask questions when they need help. I would also encourage them to get out of their comfort zone and network. That is something I am still working on myself, but I think it is important to connect with your classmates, professors, and other people in the program. You never know what you might learn or who you might meet along the way.