Skills For Impact Program Strengthens MPA Students’ Leadership and Management Skills

“In an increasingly digitalized, interdependent, and complex world, we need public policy leaders with new skills in their toolboxes,” urged Tobias Leipprand, executive director of the Mercator Capacity Building Center for Leadership & Advocacy (LEAD). “This is why we were asked by SPP to work with them to develop the Skills For Impact (SFI) program. The goal is to equip MPA graduates with the skills they will need to be effective leaders in a rapidly changing global environment.”

A key component of the MPA curriculum, SFI focuses on four core competencies: shaping complex environments; engaging internal and external stakeholders; mastering communication and advocacy; and leading with passion. “Through an interactive program taught by global practitioners, students learn the skills they will need to create positive change in the public policy world,” emphasized Oliver Triebel, Adjunct Professor of Practice and SFI Program Director.

The SFI curriculum includes 10 modules that are offered throughout the two-year MPA program. Each module is structured to provide students with an understanding and an opportunity to develop key skills including negotiating, managing teams, presenting, and being an effective leader. These skills are of immediate use to MPA students in their Passion Projects, summer internships, and class presentations, and are invaluable in their future careers.