UTSA MPA student selected for San Antonio management fellows program

(May 1, 2019) -- Stephanie Flores, UTSA Master of Public Administration student, was selected for the City of San Antonio’s prestigious Management Fellows Program. Emerging local government professionals have the opportunity to immerse themselves in local government management and develop skills and valuable experience that will prepare them for careers in government.

The City of San Antonio (COSA) Management Fellowship is a 12-month program in which emerging leaders receive the opportunity to work alongside key leaders of the nation’s seventh largest city and work on important projects. Each management fellow will receive the opportunity to spend four months in each of the following departments: the City Manager’s office; the Office of Management and Budget; and one operating department. Upon completion of the program, City staff will work with each Management Fellow to help them find a full-time position that matches their individual career interests.

“It has been a long time goal of mine as a native San Antonian to represent the City of San Antonio as a Management Fellow,” said Flores.

“I believe the program is extremely valuable and a great opportunity to help prepare me for a future career in city management and public service leadership. The fellowship will allow me to gain hands on experience with preparing a $2.8 billion budget to serve the needs of every community in our city, experience first-hand how a city manager analyzes and responds to the needs of City Council, and allow me to become familiar with how each department plays a role in the growth of our city. There’s no other opportunity like a Management Fellowship that will provide you with the tools and insights you need to understand the inner processes of local government.”

Flores credits UTSA’s Public Administration program and her internship experience to prepare her for this role.

“UTSA’s public administration program allowed me to make practical, real world connections between my studies and the world of work,” stated Flores.

“Some of the classes that have best prepared me for my future are Dr. Sanders’ Research Design and Methods class through data analysis; adjunct professor Dr. Etienne’s classes of Urban and Economic Development, Diversity Policies and Management, and Economics for Public Affairs; City Manager of Leon Valley Kelly Kunstler’s Public Budgeting and Finance class; and finally, Dr. Alexander’s Introduction to Public Service Leadership and Management by learning all about our responsibilities as public service leaders.”

Flores is currently a housing policy intern with COSA’s Neighborhood and Housing Services Department. She previously interned with the City of Leon Valley Community Development Department and the City of San Antonio District 8 Councilman Manny Pelaez.

— Michelle Skidmore

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