Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Kathleen Fitzsimmons López,  MPA (class of 2020) has accepted a graduate assistantship at Rutgers-Camden as a PhD student in the Public Affairs and Community Development program. 

She had an inauspicious beginning at WCU in 1993 as a music education/percussion major, before graduating with a BS in Health Science in 2018. Returning to WCU to focus on nonprofit management in the MPA program, she is a member of the Phi Alpha Alpha and Tri-Alpha honor societies. With over two decades working as a freelance consultant in healthcare, she has built a remarkable career in helping people heal by finding their path towards wellness. A long-term volunteer with the Girl Scouts, Kathy also sits on the Delaware County Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. She and her husband, four teens, two dogs, and two beehives call Havertown their home. 

“One of the things I appreciate most about the MPA faculty at WCU is their broad range of interests and experiences - whether in government, nonprofits, or research, I was able to learn from each of my professors far beyond what was included in the curriculum. This really helped me to pull into focus the otherwise seemingly disconnected pieces of my own work and volunteer experiences of the last two decades to reveal a larger picture as I move into the next phase of my career.“  

Hector L. Febo III, (class of 2021)  

Born in the Bronx, NY, Hector comes from a working-class family and is a first-generation college student. He graduated high school with honors in the nursing assistant program at Monroe Career & Technical Institute and then worked as a certified nursing assistant at Geisinger Bloomsburg Health Care Center. He then went on to earn two baccalaureate degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice from Bloomsburg University. While at Bloomsburg, as a member of the LGBTQ community, he championed policies centering on LGBTQ+ and racial diversity, and co-founded the Caribbean American Student Association.  He also worked at the Bloomsburg Center for Leadership and Engagement, (CLE), where he curated seminars in community affairs, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through his studies, volunteering, work at the hospital, and the CLE, Hector discovered a passion for public service, which lead him to WCU. 

“I was looking for a graduate program that set itself apart, as well as one that would do the same for me as a graduate, which lead me to the MPA program at WCU. Completing the program 100% online (pre-and post-pandemic) offered an outstanding balance between professional, personal, and academic life. Everyone is highly invested in your success. The department always announces new job openings, internship opportunities and aids in expanding your professional network.” 

Through the MPA program, he has interned with the Nationalities Services Center in Philadelphia, and worked as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Department. His hard work, dedication, has paid off as he was recently inducted as a Pi Alpha Alpha member, the global Honor society for public affairs & administration, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society. He plans to continue his studies to obtain a Doctorate in Public Administration and work in local government.  

Emilia DelGrasso (class of 2022)

While it may seem like a radical departure to pursue a Master of Public Administration after having earned a Bachelor of Music Performance from James Madison University, earning an MPA Emilia DelGrasso sees it as an extension of her ongoing will to serve the public. Studying music led to work in arts administration, which ultimately lead her to Vanguard Charitable, one of the largest non-profit organizations in the United States, managing charitable giving designed to invest and grow assets to create meaningful and lasting impacts. Her role involves processing charitable contributions and identifying operational efficiencies and recently researching policy initiatives for business leaders to address with legislators at the state and federal levels. 

“The West Chester University MPA program has been integral to my professional development, specifically in my understanding of non-profit management, analyzing data, and providing results to key business stakeholders in an impactful way. Personally, the MPA program has challenged me to think about policies, government programs, and current events holistically and equitably.” 

Tammy A. Bagby (class of 2021)

Cheyney University’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach since 2016, Tammy A. Bagby began her playing career at the University of Oklahoma, transferring to Langston University where she finished in the program’s top ten in multiple game statistics, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Following her collegiate career, she played professionally in Slovakia and the Czech Republic after which she served as a Coach/Director of Basketball Operation for the WNBA Tulsa Shock. Her resume extends beyond coaching and playing, Coach Bagby also had a behind the scenes role as the technical advisor for the 2002 basketball comedy Juwanna Mann. In addition to her illustrious sports career, she is also proud to have raised three nephews (James Jr., ChazRae’, and D’Vontat’e). 

An incredible coaching talent, her unique international and domestic background distinguishes her from others in the profession. Her natural ability to connect and guide her student-athletes stems from her own innate curiosity and willingness to constantly improve, which is part of what brought her to West Chester University MPA Program with a certificate in Sport Management and Athletics.  

“My decision to be a part of the WCU MPA family was a no brainer. First impressions are everything, and meeting former graduates of the MPA program like Mr. Evan Daney and retired Professor Dr. Eve Atkinson allowed me to see that WCU provides a high quality public service education for people with diverse backgrounds like me. Coming in as a later in life student, with plenty of professional experience, the MPA degree gives me even more versatility in my career.  The graduate faculty have been flexible and understanding, showing that they care as much about the goals you set for yourself as classroom grades.”

Dave Daugherty, (Class of 2021), is a second year MPA student with plans of graduating this winter.  

He is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Homeland Security and Intelligence for the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety.  After high school, Dave enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in Iraq as provisional Military Police. Upon returning from his first tour, he completed his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University in 2009. As a commissioned officer in the Corps, he served another 6 years of active duty in various Military Police leadership roles in Okinawa and Afghanistan. After twelve years in the service, he returned home and found a new role in the Coroner's Office of Chester County and was soon promoted to Chief Deputy Coroner before accepting his current position with Montgomery County.  When not keeping Montgomery County safe from threat, he and his wife Kristen have been busy raising their 10-month-old daughter, Isla.

While Dave has always had a passion for serving his community and country, his time at West Chester University, both as an undergraduate and graduate student, has strengthened his desire to help others and his community.  

“I believe that among the greatest pursuits in life are fighting for freedom, individual liberty, and the great American values and ideals envisioned by our founding fathers.  My experience at West Chester University, specifically in the MPA program, has enhanced my understanding and appreciation for those ideals.  My intent is to apply my gained knowledge and skills to promote those values and ideals through selfless service to my community and fellow citizens.”