Four graduate students in the Master of Public Administration Program have been awarded the prestigious Raymond W. Gosack Master of Public Administration Scholarship for the 2024-25 academic year: Meerim Seiitova, Kyle Morgan, Annette Nyoni and Ty Haralson.

This scholarship is made possible by the Raymond W. Gosack M.P.A. Endowment, established through a generous estate gift of over $500,000 from U of A alumnus Ray Gosack. His lifelong dedication to public administration and passion for the U of A inspired the creation of this endowment, which aims to support the development of future public service professionals.

The endowment continues to enhance the M.P.A. program by fostering professional growth, promoting diversity and increasing research opportunities, ensuring that students are well-prepared for impactful careers in public, non-profit and governmental sectors.

MEERIM SEIITOVA

Seiitova is a native of the Kyrgyz Republic and earned her bachelor's degree in education from Osh State University, Kyrgyzstan. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration and nonprofit studies in the Political Science Department at the U of A. In 2025, she will continue her education at the U of A, joining the College of Engineering to pursue a Master of Science in Operations Management. This decision was impacted by her previous work experience with international organizations such as UNDP, USAID, GIZ and Helvetas in Kyrgyzstan, where she served as an administrative, financial and grant specialist. Additionally, she gained valuable experience at the Local NGO Development Policy Institute, specializing in local governance, where she worked as a project coordinator.

"I am honored to have been selected for the prestigious Raymond W. Gosack Master of Public Administration Endowment Scholarship," Seiitova said. "This endowment supports the MPA program, which provides a comprehensive and adaptable foundation for preparing students for careers in government, non-governmental organizations and the nonprofit sector. I would like to thank my academic adviser, Dr. Geoboo Song, for his guidance throughout my graduate journey. I am also grateful to Dr. Heasun Choi for her mentorship and support in shaping my research approach. I truly appreciate the time and effort they have devoted to advising and supporting me."

KYLE MORGAN

Morgan is a graduate of the U of A, where he majored in political science and minored in Southern studies. In his second year of the M.P.A. program, he serves as president of the U of A's ICMA chapter, which promotes student involvement in local government. He also serves as secretary of the club golf team. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog, Theo; making maps; and studying climate migration. Morgan plans on working in public risk and planning in the future. His parents are Cathy Morgan and Russell Morgan.

ANNETTE NYONI

Nyoni is an international graduate student in the M.P.A. program at the U of A. Her research interests are at the intersection of public policy, development and governance, focusing on creating sustainable and inclusive community development strategies.

Nyoni has a strong commitment to public service, evidenced by her practiced roles in local government in her home country of Zambia, where she worked on several impactful programs addressing social inequalities and promoting equity for marginalized groups to fairly access resources and opportunities.

Inspired by the legacy of Ray Gosack, Nyoni plans to advance her research on the delivery of public policy and its impact on tangible community development. After her M.P.A. program, Nyoni aims to have a career that continues to bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that development initiatives are both effective and equitable. Nyoni holds an M.A. in development studies and a B.A. in development studies with political science from Zambia and is a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship.

TY HARALSON

Haralson is a graduate of the U of A, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science. Additionally, he graduated with three minors in legal studies, philosophy and Southern studies. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, where he served as risk manager, assistant new member educator and Judicial Board member, and an inductee into Phi Beta Kappa's class of 2022. He is currently enrolled as a dual J.D.-M.P.A. student and has clerked for Quattlebaum, Grooms and Tull PLLC and the Office of the Arkansas Attorney General. Haralson plans on focusing his legal practice on commercial real estate transactions and administrative policy drafting.