Natasha Nau is a second year Master of Public Administration student at the University of Delaware’s School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA). With a passion for public management, Natasha currently serves as an Institute for Public Administration Fellow, and has over four years of experience interning at various local government agencies.

Being able to see actual problems and be a part of the solution is really, really cool…I’m actually making a difference.

This summer Natasha was able to score an internship at the London Grove Township; a small township located in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania. As an intern, Natasha has worked on more than thirteen projects including building the foundations for a Township economic development committee, facilitating the creation of a community report card and financial monitoring system, and, most notably, helping the Township improve the efficiency of their odor hotline. Click here to view a Chester County Press article that features Natasha, and discusses the London Grove Township’s improved odor hotline.

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This past Sunday, I was able to catch up with Natasha and ask her about her summer internship experience at the London Grove Township:

Q: What has been your favorite project to work on?

Natasha (N): My favorite projects have definitely been the odor hotline, because it’s interesting, and I like working on the community report card, even though I’m not a finance expert by any means!

Q: Have your SPPA courses helped to prepare you for this internship?

N: Definitely! A lot of what I’ve learned in class is tied in places I wasn’t really expecting! But because of my coursework, I just know certain things about how a local government functions.

Q: Describe your overall internship experience at the London Grove Township.

N: Working really closely with the [London Grove] Township Manager has been an awesome experience. Being able to see actual problems and be a part of the solution is really, really cool! It sounds corny, but I’m actually making a difference.

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Natasha is on track to graduate from SPPA in December 2012. She plans to pursue a career in town, city, or county management. She also hopes to be able to work in state transportation in some capacity. Natasha is beginning her job search this August and can’t wait to see where she will end up.

 

Student Spotlight highlights some of the work being done by SPPA students both on and off-campus. Check SAPA’s website periodically to see what students are up to! If you want be featured in Student Spotlight, or you would like to suggest a student who should be featured, contact us at Sapassociation@gmail.com.