Serving Communities Through Public Administration

Public service has always been a priority for Josh McEnany. The Davenport, Iowa, native has spent the past 12 years working in the public sector and seeking new ways to give back to his community. “Throughout my career, I strive to remain committed to serving the public and diligently finding ways to improve communication, leadership, and uniting the public through various measures,” he says.

After graduating from high school, McEnany moved to Florida, where he earned an associate degree from Daytona State College and his bachelor’s degree in public administration from Indian River State College. Wanting to advance his career, he pursued his master’s degree in public administration at UCF.

“I chose the University of Central Florida for its dominant program in Public Administration, and its online program’s graduation rate was higher in previous years compared to other institutions,” McEnany says. He notes the curriculum has prepared him for real‑world public sector scenarios.

McEnany credits Nasrin Lakhani, academic services manager with the School of Public Administration, for helping him navigate his educational journey as the first in his family to attend graduate school. He also appreciates the professionalism and responsiveness of his faculty members.

He advises fellow students to stay committed “even when things get tough,” reminding them to recall why they chose to pursue a graduate degree. His family and his commitment to bettering his organization are his greatest sources of motivation.

Since graduating, McEnany continues serving local government and improving the public sector through innovation, policy and community engagement, serving as community development director for South Daytona.

• 12 years of experience working in public administration
• Served in several facets of public government