Advising
Accreditation and program coordination
Master of Public Administration Alumni
2025 Practitioner in Residence
March 19-21, 2025
The Practitioner in Residence Program (PIR) provides undergraduate and master-level students with a practitioner’s “in-the-trenches” perspectives on local, state, and/or tribal government challenges, leadership, and career development topics that will foster knowledge and competencies necessary for professional success. PIR offers a tangible experience for NAU students and faculty to engage with real-life practitioners who work for local, state, federal, tribal or nonprofit organizations to ensure success in future career opportunities.
Sue Brown, Coconino County Manager
Professional Partner Master of Public Administration (PIA) Practitioner in Residence Sue is in her 27th year with Coconino County, serving twelve years as the Director of Facilities Management and the last three years in the County Manager’s Office. Sue received her BS in Public Administration from Wayne State College in Nebraska and came to Northern Arizona and the NAU MPA program as a graduate assistant in 1988. For Sue, the best part of her career has been working directly with citizens at the local level, and encouraging the standards, principles and growth of the public administration profession.
Dr. Diana Onco-Ingyadet, Associate Director of Academic Affairs for Yale Young Global Scholars
Applied Indigenous Studies Practitioner in Residence Dr. Diana Onco-Ingyadet, Associate Director of Academic Affairs for Yale Young Global Scholars, previously served as Assistant Director for Yale’s Native American Cultural Center and teaches an Ethnicity, Race, & Migration course on Indigenous cultures around the world. She is Navajo, Kiowa, and Comanche, with family roots in Monument Valley, UT, and grew up in Norman, OK. Diana holds a bachelor’s in Applied Indigenous Studies from Northern Arizona University, a master’s in Higher Education from Arizona State University, and a doctorate from the University of Southern California focused on Native American student success.
Jessica Taylor, LCSW
Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator Social Work Practitioner in Residence Jessica Taylor, LCSW received her Master of Social Work at Boston College. She completed her internship at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts before moving to Flagstaff, Arizona. She has worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs for eleven years, and currently works as the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Program Coordinator for Northern Arizona VA Health Care.
Steve Peru, retired Coconino County Manager
Master of Public Administration (PIA) Practitioner in Residence Steve Peru became Coconino County Manager for a second time two years ago.
Michelle J. McNulty, Planning Director, City of Flagstaff
Geography, Planning and Recreation Practitioner in Residence Michelle McNulty is a certified planner with more than 16 years of experience working with both the private and public sectors on an array of planning and development projects. She has an in-depth knowledge of transportation and land use planning issues from working on master plans, zoning overlay districts, site selection studies, conditional use permits, zoning map amendments, site plan reviews, due diligence reports, and facilitating extensive public involvement efforts. In addition to authoring numerous master plans and land use entitlements, Michelle often serves as a conduit among multi-discipline teams-which are often composed of engineers, architects, surveyors, planners, and more-to keep project deliverables on schedule and moving forward. Michelle has extensive experience working with local governments, tribal councils, community members and organizations, and Commissions and elected officials. She is an excellent communicator, well- organized, and proactive when it comes to problem solving.
True leaders in their positions
For over 25 years, Northern Arizona University’s Master of Public Administration program has helped prepare hundreds of graduates to move on to leadership and managerial roles in the public sector. Meet some of our alumni who are making a difference in their communities and their organizations by solving challenges through analyzing and implementing policy.
Alumni Stories
Joanne Keene – Class of 2011 Accordion Closed
Joanne Keene is the Deputy County Manager of Coconino County, Arizona
“NAU’s MPA program allowed me to use my practical knowledge of working in government and combine it with theory learned in the program. An MPA is necessary for moving up in local government, and NAU’s MPA helped me elevate my career.”
Jeremy Legg – Class of 2002 Accordion Closed
Jeremy Legg is the Special Projects Manager for the City of Phoenix
“I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for NAU’s MPA program. My work with the professors and fellow students laid the foundation that opened tremendous windows of opportunity. The academics, combined with my internship at Coconino County, put my career on the right track. I love what I do now, make a good living, and feel like I make a difference in the community. My experience with the Politics and International Affairs Department heavily contributed to my success, and I encourage others to explore opportunities here.”
Jeremy Floyd – Class of 2017 Accordion Closed
Jeremy Floyd is the Division Manager for Coconino County Public Works
“The Online MPA program at NAU gave me the tools I needed to take control of my career. The educators encouraged me to use my work experience to enhance my studies. The content is so applicable; I find myself utilizing the skills I obtained from the program daily. The professors were knowledgeable and accessible, which was one of the most important aspects of the program. I owe the past, present, and future of my career to the professors and staff of the online NAU program. Forever grateful.”
Alexa Kaumaya – Class of 2017 Accordion Closed
Project Coordinator, Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System
“NAU’s MPA program has allowed me to advance in state government because the program’s focus on public policy and theory prepared me to be successful in the public sector. Earning my MPA at Northern Arizona University was one of the best choices for my career.”
Find out more about careers for MPA graduates.
