Newark, New Jersey
Philip M. McHugh
Master of Public Administration
Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration
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The Capstone Project marks the finale of the Master of Public Administration program at Rutgers University. The Portfolio option for this project is a composition of revised, previously submitted papers from throughout the program. Students are tasked with applying these papers to five core competencies to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of public administration and its importance. The papers that I have included were meticulously written and represent the finest work that I have completed during my time here. I submit them here, again, for your approval and edification.
The Future of Public Administration
Over the next few years, the torch of governmental leadership will be passed to a new generation. It is imperative that members of our generation be prepared accept this responsibility and hit the ground running. Environmental issues, threats to democracy, the national debt, and healthcare are just a few of the administrative obstacles that must be addressed soon. My colleagues and myself must be ready to face these challenges and put our preparation into practice.
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Throughout this final semester I have been reading Hearts Touched With Fire: How Great Leaders Are Made by David Gergen, an advisor to four U.S. Presidents. In his final pages, Gergen shares that there are "millions of talented young people impatiently waiting in the wings to work for a better America. Our best hope in the years ahead is to identify, recruit, and help prepare them for lives of services and leadership." My time in this program has provided an invaluable foundation from which to serve the future of America. And it has been instrumental in allowing me to identify and develop leadership qualities within myself. I am confident, therefore, in my new capacity to answer a greater call to public service.