Learning Organizational Theory from a Pro
As CEO of McGrath Consulting Group, an 18-year-old consultancy working with governments across more than 30 states, Victoria McGrath, PhD, has seen firsthand the ways different organizations can effect public policy. Before starting her own business with her husband, McGrath worked in both the private and public sectors, and at one point in her career was the HR Manager for a municipality in Wisconsin. For the past decade, McGrath has brought her industry expertise to the Public Human Resources and Organizational Theory and Analysis courses in the public policy and administration master's (MPPA) program at Northwestern University School of Professional Studies.
“Students always tell me they appreciate that I’m still practicing in the field and provide hands-on experience. It’s not just theory,” McGrath said. “As someone who’s had both public and private sector experience, I’m good at helping students understand the similarities and differences.”
Regarding her time in the classroom, McGrath has found the students at Northwestern to be professional and dedicated to their studies. Teaching classes both on-campus and online has also allowed McGrath to work with students with different career goals outside of Chicago. She noted:
“The types of classes the public policy program offers are broad enough to be applied to all levels of government, whether it’s Chicago or it’s a smaller area. Whatever the student wants to do with it, whether government or nonprofit, private or public sector, it’s going to apply to whatever field they want to go into, and it can match their specific learning styles as well.”
In the course Public Human Resources, McGrath draws on her professional experiences to teach students about personnel management, hiring practices, compensation, unions, and other key areas of the public sector. She’s also worked with a few students on their thesis research.
“The thesis is a lot of fun,” McGrath added. “I’ve been a primary adviser and a second reader, working with students to develop research questions, helping them through the process of writing their papers, rereading and critiquing their work, and preparing it for sign off. I feel a sense of accomplishment for my students when they complete all their requirements.”