SPA alumnus Christian SantaMaria (SPA/MPA, '21) credits his time at SPA with providing him with the necessary tools and experiences to excel in his current role. He began as a Pathways Intern, demonstrating a commitment to public service that began well before graduation.

“Being so close to the epicenter of the federal government and learning from seasoned professionals working in my field was very exciting to me," he stated. "The admissions team also had great energy and an empowering spirit that encouraged me to move to Washington, D.C. and attend SPA."

According to SantaMaria, now a management and program analyst at the PBGC, SPA's focus on career readiness and hands-on experience was also a major draw. He particularly values the camaraderie among SPA cohorts. “You truly make a new group of friends and colleagues, on day one, that are helpful in supporting the transition to the world of public service," he said.

Specifically, SantaMaria mentioned the AU JumpStart program, which allowed him to connect early with fellow cohort members, professors, and alumni. Impactful classes included project management with Dr. Rebecca Yurman, which taught him essential technical skills for managing complex human capital projects, and organization diagnosis & change with Dr. Andrew Rahaman, which helped him understand and implement best practices in change management.

During his research assistantship at SPA, SantaMaria worked in the Department of Government under Dr. Andrew Flores, where he conducted qualitative studies on legislative actions and testimonies, as well as public opinion research. This experience, he said, connected him with experts in his field and taught him proper research methodologies, which, in turn, helped with coursework. He also acknowledged the SPA Career Center for their help in crafting a strong federal resume and navigating Pathways Internships, giving him a "foot in the door" at PBGC.

At PBGC, SantaMaria focuses on implementing best practices for effective organizational change management. He helps identify and develop qualified individuals for critical positions and leadership roles within the agency. In addition, he helped create and pilot a competency-based emerging leadership development program, facilitate successful return-to-office initiatives, and develop innovative digital HR and administrative customer service solutions.

“I work to ensure that we find the most qualified people for each critical position and develop leaders to carry the agency forward,” he shared.