Alumni Update - Katherine (Binkow) Boyd, MSW, MPH, CPH

Ms. Boyd is one of 500 advanced degree candidates across the U.S. recently accepted into the Presidential Management Fellows Program from a pool of approximately 10,000 applicants. 

 

Boyd (Binkow) pictured with her family at graduation.

In October 2014, Ms. Boyd began her position with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the Northwest Office of Native American Programs (NwONAP) in Seattle, Washington.  Her primary responsibilities are grants evaluations for HUD-funded housing and community development programs for Native American tribes in Washington state, Oregon, and Idaho.  She travels to reservations to meet with tribal members to review their programs and see first-hand the difference tribes are making in their own communities.  Additionally, she will receive training on policy, leadership, and management, and next year will do a rotation with a different agency, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs, or the Indian Health Service, to learn about other programs related to Native American health.

The PMF Program through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is a flagship entry-level leadership development program for advanced degree candidates.  This highly competitive program has been in existence for over 3 decades, and is focused on developing a cadre of potential government leaders.  PMF fellows receive salary and benefits, along with policy, leadership, and management training, over a two-year appointment period.  Upon completion of the fellowship, they have the option of immediately convert to a permanent or term position in government.

During her interview process, in which she flew to Washington, DC to meet with PMF program administrators, Ms. Boyd notes "The PMF selection committee was highly interested in the skills and experiences I gained while completing the dual degree program at UGA. I think that the social work and public health disciplines are sought after within the federal government, and the fact that I have both of these degrees helped me gain a significant advantage in the pool of applicants."

Ms. Boyd notes, “I believe the training I received in the program is certainly the reason I got this fellowship.”

Congratulations Ms. Boyd!