Hello! My name is Linley Kirkwood and I am a second year CIPA fellow pursuing a MPA/MBA dual degree with a concentration in Public & Nonprofit Management. When I first came to CIPA, I planned to focus on international development, but my first year coursework shifted my professional interests towards the intersection of the sectors, as those lines are becoming increasingly blurred. In particular, I am interested in public-private partnerships, corporate responsibility, and sustainability.
Two years ago, I was working at a local Habitat for Humanity affiliate outside Philadelphia and was thinking about applying to graduate school. I considered a lot of programs, and because I wasn’t exactly sure what I was looking for, I applied to all of them. This is a little bit of an overstatement, but not hugely – in the end, I applied to 13 programs (predominantly MPAs).
I was attracted to CIPA’s flexibility in course offerings, as well as to the many advantages of having a small program within a large, world-class university with brand name recognition. One of those benefits that directly pertains to the admissions process is the personal touch that each prospective student receives throughout the application process. Here at CIPA, applicants are individual people with varied interests and needs, rather than simply names, numbers, or files. This is not just part of the admissions process, but is reflective of the CIPA community, where staff, faculty, and fellow students are always willing to go the extra mile. During my time here, I have met so many people who will be close friends and excellent professional contacts in the future.
I invite you to explore what CIPA has to offer, and please feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have about CIPA, Cornell, Ithaca-at large, or anything else.
Linley Kirkwood is a second-year dual degree MPA/MBA student, focusing her MPA degree on Public and Nonprofit Management. She writes a blog about her CIPA experience and can be reached at lak238@cornell.edu.