The issues facing Pittsburgh are multifaceted and never ending. From the COVID-19 Pandemic to a sinkhole devouring a city bus, local government continuously adapts to mitigate these issues. Aiding local government officials in this struggle is Local Government Academy (Academy), helping our municipalities adapt to the constant pressures of our world.

My name is Lauren Lowen. I am a second-generation citizen and have lived in the South Hills of Pittsburgh for most of my life. I am currently a Graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt), studying to receive my Master of International Development in May of 2023. I also received my Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Dayton in 2019.

At first, local government was not on my radar. Throughout my life, my political science classes at school have centered around state and federal government politics. When I began my pursuit of a graduate degree, my focus centered around federal government. It was only after living in Pittsburgh for a year that I realized how much work needed to be done in my own community. I faced an internal dilemma: How could I expect to make a change on a federal level if my own community is struggling?

My career advisors at Pitt then pointed me in the direction of the Academy. The 501(c)3 nonprofit has a longstanding reputation in and around the region working to better the knowledge and quality of our local officials. This year, I will be leading the Academy’s 2022 Municipal Intern Program (MIP) as the Project Coordinator.

The 2022 MIP will foster connections and professional relationships as I meet with interns to discuss their experiences and progress. After connecting and having conversations with this year’s class, I can confidently state they all are intelligent, hardworking, and passionate people, seeking to inspire a positive change to the communities around them.

We are thrilled to host two Lunch & Learn chats with prominent local government officials, which will cover professional topics that are not usually addressed in an academic setting. We are also hosting two development sessions with a focus on workshopping skills to help the interns land their perfect careers.

I am excited to be a part of this unique and dynamic team. I love knowing that I am working towards the betterment of the Southwest Pennsylvania region, as well as supporting our local government officials. The issues we face are complex, but after what I have learned so far, I am confident we will tackle those issues like the Steelers Defensive Line.

– Lauren Lowen, Project Coordinator