CLU Graduate Brian Covarruvias Bringing Passion to City Government
From a desire to help local communities access the resources they need, Brian Covarruvias developed a passion for public administration and government work. Even his earliest academic interests focused on how he might help institutions better serve the communities they represent. Brian earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Cal Poly Pomona, where he began to see public administration as a natural extension of his interests.
“I soon realized that the political public administration realm was something that I was really interested in, and I was already teetering on the idea of postgraduate studies,” Brian said.
Brian was working for the City of Claremont when he was introduced to Claremont Lincoln University by Dr. Anne Turner. She was preparing to launch CLU’s inaugural Master of Public Administration program with a concentration in Advanced Practices in Public Finance. Was it something of interest to Brian? That chance meeting and Brian’s research into the program solidified his decision to begin his graduate education.
Learning to Be a Change Agent at Claremont Lincoln University
Brian has now worked for his local government for nearly eight years, first as a recreation leader and then advancing to his current role in financial analysis for the City of Ontario, CA. Throughout his journey, Brian has remained focused on how government can evolve to better meet the needs of the public.
“When people think about government, it seems very fractured,” said Brian. “Some people think it works for the people, and other people think it’s not working for us.”
For Brian, that divide highlights his desire to become a motivated public servant and use his education to help administer needed changes.
“We can’t just sit idle expecting things to change in government if we’re not doing the change ourselves,” said Brian. “It’s about changing the perspective and the narratives instead of expecting citizens to come to us.”
Brian credits CLU with helping him develop this mindset and the skills he needs to be that kind of change agent. He believes in what CLU has to offer so much that it inspired him to further his education even more and pursue his Doctorate in Public Administration.
“My master’s program with CLU really pushed me to ask myself ‘how can I become a change agent within my community,’” Brian said. “Having all of those real-world case scenarios that CLU used really made it easier to translate to the real world. It also motivated me to pursue my doctorate degree.”
Translating CLU’s Coursework to Real-World Responsibilities
Although finance was not originally part of his career plan, the coursework from his concentration, especially Innovative Funding Strategies for Social Change, reshaped how he viewed its importance in public service.
“I didn’t really think of finance as my next career growth opportunity, but without the money, the work can’t happen,” said Brian.
When he began with the City of Ontario, Brian said he didn’t see finance being a part of his future career path. But it seems like a natural fit now. In his current role, he manages financial software for the City and works closely with departments across the organization. He’s able to put what he learned at CLU to work for Ontario.
“The innovative funding strategies courses opened my eyes to the idea that you have to be creative in the ways that you serve your community, even if it’s not what you wanted to do originally,” Brian explained. “If you don’t have the funding for a financial plan, you have to think about grant funding opportunities and other ways to provide that assistance. It made me think about other ways I can help my community.”
While Brian does not see himself staying in finance long-term, he believes the lessons from this course and the rest of the CLU Public Administration program will aid him greatly in his journey to become a city manager one day.
Looking Ahead: Leadership, Education, and Impact
Today, Brian is well into his DPA studies while contributing to the next generation of public servants as a part-time faculty member at CLU, teaching in the Lincoln Vibrant Communities program. Brian hopes that he can pass some of his education and experiences onto future change agents as a teacher and mentor for leadership development.
For Brian, CLU offered the tools, perspective, and community he needed to grow as a public servant and leader. Brian continues to pave the way for thoughtful change, collaborative leadership, and building stronger local government from within. Are you ready to be a change agent? Consider the programs at CLU and find your own personal passion. If you’re ready to take the first step, connect with one of our reps and we’ll answer all your questions.
Claremont Lincoln University is a non-profit university offering affordable online degrees, graduate certificates, and professional development programs. Through a socially conscious education framework, CLU’s mission is to create a new leadership ecosystem through its proprietary Claremont Core®, a distinctive model that encompasses the knowledge needed to become an effective leader of positive change in the workplace or community. CLU is regionally accredited by the highly regarded WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), which ensures institutions meet strict standards and fulfill their missions to serve their students and the public good. Degree programs at CLU focus on healthcare administration, human resources, organizational leadership, management, professional studies, public administration, social impact, and sustainability leadership.
Claremont Lincoln University is the university of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a non-profit global thought leader solving social, environmental, and economic challenges. Together, we are mobilizing leaders worldwide to tackle the most pressing climate, land, water, finance, housing, infrastructure, and other issues.
