Melissa Grober-Morrow

Why did you choose Wagner for graduate school?

I was working full-time at New York Cares and really liked my job, so I was looking for part-time graduate school programs. I weighed a few options: MBA programs vs. MPA programs, public vs. private institutions. I knew that I wasn't likely to stay in NY forever, so I wanted to attend a school that had name recognition outside of NY. I liked the emphasis that Wagner has on applying education to work experience and vice versa.

How would you describe your experience as a Wagner student?

I loved being a student at Wagner! I received my MPA in three years while attending part-time and I had a great network of part-time and full-time friends. There are so many ways to learn outside of classes. The student clubs are engaging and put on great events. I founded the Wagner Women's Caucus while I was there and served as a peer adviser. The professors are accessible and really care about the students.

Describe your current job.

I'm the director of savings and financial capability at the Corporation for Enterprise Development (CFED) in Washington, DC. CFED is a national nonprofit that helps organizations around the country design programs and strategies that help low- and moderate-income people build wealth. We bring together research, programs, and policy to influence the field of asset-building. As a program director, I manage a team of 10 people who provide technical assistance and resources to nonprofits and government agencies on programs that help people save and become financially secure. I manage federal contracts, make connections with other national and local nonprofits, and make sure that my team has the resources they need to succeed.