MPA Spotlight: Diana Valencia
I am a 2nd-year Master of Public Administration (MPA) student at the School of Government and Public Policy. Originally, I am from Yuma, AZ, a community with a large underrepresented and underserved population. The exposure to inequities in my community ignited my passion for public service, and observing how policy decisions have affected members of my community led me to pursue a BA in Political Science and Spanish Translation and Interpretation at the University of Arizona.
During my undergraduate studies, I interned with the U.S. Department of Transportation, an opportunity that provided both a valuable experience and insight into how the federal government collaborates with state and local governments to implement policy effectively. Through this internship, I developed a greater interest in local government because there are more direct and immediate impacts on communities. I chose the University of Arizona’s MPA program because of their highly experienced faculty, who provide students with the necessary skills and real-world application experiences to succeed as public servants. Personally, I wanted to learn how to more effectively serve the most marginalized and underserved members of my community, while gaining the skills necessary to drive growth in the City of Yuma.
Currently, I intern with the Logical Foundation, an emerging anti-poverty non-profit working to address homelessness through universal basic income initiatives and partnerships with local organizations to help provide housing and economic stability for vulnerable Arizonans. After graduating, I am excited to return to my hometown and explore different opportunities in city government where I can contribute to Yuma’s growth and continue to serve vulnerable communities by applying the skills I have developed throughout the program that will expand economic opportunities and provide stability for all residents.