Mat Sanders

Why did you choose Wagner for graduate school?

As a Louisiana native, I developed a deep and personal interest in the post-Hurricane Katrina recovery and redevelopment of my home state. Ultimately, I felt I could make the best, most long-lasting impact by seeking out the highest quality education relative to those recovery and redevelopment efforts and bringing that pedigree back home with me. This search led me to Wagner.

How did being in New York impact your professional journey?

For an aspiring urban planner, there is no better laboratory from which to learn than the City of New York. I can think of no better environment in which to develop an understanding of the many perspectives of stakeholder groups all public service practitioners must leverage and understand in developing effective solutions for their respective constituencies.

How did your Wagner experience prepare you professionally for what you are doing today?

Wagner laid a fundamental groundwork from which I have developed my career. In my capacity, I constantly use analytical and presentation skills developed at Wagner to inform stakeholder groups and public officials, both elected and appointed, so they may be best prepared to make decisions guiding Louisiana's ongoing disaster recovery efforts.