The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs has entered the second year of its contract with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP). The STMP program serves fiscally distressed municipalities around the Commonwealth, culminating in plans to help stabilize their financial condition, improve operations and management practices, and enact policies and programs that will secure their future financial viability. The program’s benefits go both ways, however, as the Pitt student consultants receive hands-on experience working with municipal officials and developing their skills in public finance, analytics, and management.
Turning coursework into impact
The partnership kicked off last fall as students Myles Cramer (MPA ‘24), Kathryn Pfefferle (MPPM ‘23), and Dan Rudy (MPA ‘24) partnered with Armstrong County’s Perry Township to address the long-term financial impacts of a serious 2022 road slide. The team audited the Township’s administration and public works departments before presenting a final report with recommendations to help bring expenditures into line with revenues and enact policies to address budget and forecasting issues moving forward.
“Applying our coursework to real-world challenges gave me a new appreciation for the work that hundreds of local government managers do around our area,” said Cramer in a LinkedIn post he shared about the project.
Pitt students partnered with two additional municipalities this spring– Flemington Borough in Clinton County and Horton Township in Elk County. In Flemington, the student-led team of Egest Balla (MPIA, ‘24), Erin Miller (MPPM, ‘24), and Isabelle Jabbour (MPA ‘24) were tasked with examining the financial viability of the Borough’s sewer system, investigating the local tax environment and identifying ways they might increase revenue, and assisting the local volunteer fire company in its efforts to address its finance and operations issues.
In their final report, the team identified a series of recommendations to mitigate issues in the Borough’s financial policies and provided an analysis of how the regional real estate tax environment can be managed to support the local sewer system. They also brought in a DCED supported fire consultant to work on the fire company’s operational issues.
“It offered valuable insights into municipal governance and operations, provided practical experience in public administration, and helped develop essential skills for a career in government and public service,” said Balla when discussing his experience. “It also fostered a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities within local government, preparing us for future roles in public sector management.”
Prepared for what's ahead
Yuliana Nike Ndaumanu (MPIA ’24) was a member of the team that partnered with Horton Township. She worked alongside classmates Sophie Beacom (MPA ’24), and Alexis Takoushian (MPIA ’24) to help local officials develop plans for public works projects, equipment maintenance, and future development.
While Ndaumanu found the initial step of examining the municipality’s financial health to be challenging, she believes that she learned valuable lessons she’ll take with her into her future career.
“I expect to use many of the skills and abilities I gained from the program in my work,” she said. “The experience in municipal finance and data analysis has equipped me with the skills to assess and manage financial health… (while) practical tasks have improved my problem-solving and analytical skills. The experience of working as a professional consultant has also helped me communicate financial concepts clearly and collaborate with others. These skills will be invaluable in any role involving financial planning, analysis, or consulting.”