True Carolina Blue: Monica Croskey
by Jean Coble, MPA External Relations Coordinator
In January 2005, I received a phone call from David Vehaun ’87. David asked if I was working with MPA Program admissions, and he went on to explain that he was encouraging a particular student to apply. David commented “Mother Nature doesn’t give us very many of these, Jean—she is a keeper.” David was right!
Let me introduce you to Monica Croskey. Monica grew up in Sumter, South Carolina, which she describes like this: “Sumter is a small, tight-knit community where the classmates you graduated from high school with are also the ones you started kindergarten with.” Monica says, “Sumter has
three claims to fame: they believe they are the first town to adopt the council / manager form of government; they have Shaw Air Force Base; and they have Swan Lake.”
Monica, who is a second-year student, says she is excited to be a part of the UNC MPA Program. “I knew I wanted a career in public service,” she explains. “It just feels right. Early in my undergraduate career, I realized I wanted to work in government, but I wasn’t sure at what level.” While she was an undergraduate at Winthrop University, Monica interned with David Vehaun, finance director for the City of Rock Hill. “My internship put me in City Hall,” Monica says, “and it was there that I recognized the important role that local government plays. From that point forward, I have been exclusively focused on public service at the local level.”
Monica says she still regards David as a mentor. Likewise, David valued their experience working together. He says, “Monica worked in the Risk Management office on a really boring project. Or least it was boring to me—but she excelled. The project used Monica’s excellent analytical skills.” In addition, David teaches a public budgeting class at Winthrop University, and Monica enrolled in the class. David says, “I remember reading one of her assignments and thinking, ‘she really understands the nature of local government.’ We began to have conversations about public administration careers, and I was thrilled when she was admitted to UNC’s MPA Program.”
When asked why she chose Carolina for graduate school, Monica laughs. “Well, David really biased me,” she admits. “I looked at other programs, but after a visit to UNC I knew I had to be here. Because of my strong interest in local government management, I wanted to be somewhere that shared an equal commitment to local government. I enjoy learning about the other levels of governments and nonprofit organizations because they play an important role. At the end of the day, however, I want to be in a program that will prepare me for a successful career in local government. And after a quick look at the MPA alumni from UNC—wow! They are truly leaders in their fields. And with David as an example, it seemed that the alumni remained connected to the program long after completing their degrees. Other programs didn’t seem to have that strong alumni connection. I knew this program would invest in me and my career development.”
Monica did her summer internship with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities Department, where she was supervised by Doug Bean ’74. When asked about her internship experience, Monica is quick to say, “I was fortunate during my internship to watch a great manager at work.” She continues, “Coming fresh from undergrad, it was important for me to be in a graduate program where I could gain practical skills. During my summer internship, I was able to put into action the very things that I learned in many of the courses I took during my first year. I feel fortunate to be in an academic setting that has given me the skills to do the work—the skills to have a successful career. I can’t wait to get back out there after graduation. My goal is to return to the Charlotte/Rock Hill area.”
With enthusiasm and confidence, Monica sums up her career goal by saying, “I’m going to be a city manager someday.” Monica is the 2006–2007 recipient of the Nanette V. Mengel Scholarship.
This profile was first published in the Fall 2006 issue of Impact newsletter.
