The University of Rhode Island’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program continues to expand its impact in public service, with three of its students and alumni selected as fellows in the Rhode Island Department of Housing’s Municipal Fellows Program. This initiative addresses Rhode Island’s critical housing shortage by placing emerging professionals in municipalities to support local capacity and strengthen housing policies.
The selection of three URI MPA participants highlights the program’s commitment to preparing graduates for leadership, management, and policymaking roles in government and nonprofit sectors.
Jeffrey Poland, a Spring 2023 MPA graduate, has been placed with the Town of Foster, RI. Reflecting on his role, Poland stated, “Through the Rhode Island Municipal Fellowship, I aim to support local governments in developing innovative, data-driven housing policies that address affordability and sustainability. By leveraging my experience in energy analysis and urban planning, I hope to help municipalities navigate the challenges of adaptive reuse, zoning reforms, and equitable housing development. My goal is to contribute to long-term solutions that make Rhode Island’s communities more resilient and inclusive.”
The Municipal Fellows Program provides participants with hands-on experience in planning, zoning, and housing-related initiatives, equipping them with the skills needed to drive meaningful change in Rhode Island communities.
Dennis Haggerty, who joined the MPA program in Summer 2024 and expects to graduate in Fall 2025, is currently working as the Housing Planner for the Town of Coventry. Haggerty shared, “I have been working as the Housing Planner for the Town of Coventry since January and have already hit the ground running on a number of projects. Coventry is experiencing a surge in development interest, and the town aims to meet its affordable housing goals primarily through buildout. A major part of my role involves reviewing housing development applications, analyzing site plans, assessing compliance, and providing critical feedback.”
Jasmine Batista, a Spring 2021 MPA graduate, is supporting the Town of Lincoln through her fellowship. She explained, “In the Rhode Island Municipal Fellowship Program, I am currently serving as the Housing Planner for the Town of Lincoln. I aim to assist in housing policy development, specifically by evaluating and improving policies in terms of affordability, equity, and sustainability. I also hope to acquire the skills necessary to interpret housing data analytics, enabling me to make informed decisions and policy recommendations that align with the needs and values of the Lincoln community.”
Aaron Ley, Director of the URI MPA Program, emphasized the significance of these placements, stating, “We are truly excited to see our students apply the skills they are learning in our program to the critical housing challenges faced by Rhode Island municipalities. Their selection as fellows is a testament to the quality of our faculty, whose teaching and research continue to have a broad and lasting impact.”
The URI MPA program is dedicated to preparing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead in public administration, policy, and governance. The success of its students and graduates in securing impactful fellowships like this underscores the program’s role in shaping the next generation of public service leaders.
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URI MPA Program
About the URI MPA Program
Established in 1961, the University of Rhode Island’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is the only NASPAA-accredited MPA program in Rhode Island. It offers rigorous yet flexible training in public service leadership, policy analysis, and public management. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, state agencies, and local governments, the program prepares graduates to lead, manage, and address critical public service challenges in government and beyond.