Serving beyond the uniform: Why Pat chose the MPAL program 

After serving 30 years in the U.S. Army, Colonel (Ret.) Pat Kaune wasn’t ready to stop serving. He may have retired his uniform, but his commitment to public service has remained steadfast. For Pat, the mission simply evolved from defending the nation to strengthening the communities he called home. 

“I chose to transition into the public sector because service is what I do,” Pat said. “I wanted to help the communities that helped shape me.” 

That mission brought him to the Master of Public Administration and Leadership (MPAL) program at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs, a program built for professionals like Pat who are ready to lead with purpose in public and nonprofit sectors. 

Service, leadership, and a new chapter 

Pat’s military career took him across the globe, including deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and Korea. As his active-duty service neared its end, he knew he wanted to prepare for a civilian career that aligned with the values he carried from his time in uniform. 

“With the Master of Public Administration and Leadership at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs, they really emphasize putting the service back into public service,” he said. 

As he transitioned from the role of Director of Intelligence and Security for the Army Materiel Command into civilian life, Pat needed a program that would recognize his experience, challenge his thinking, and help sharpen his leadership skills in a new environment. 

“The MPAL program prepared me for a transition to civilian life as a public servant by focusing on the things that make public servants successful — making informed decisions, being able to communicate what you want to do to your teammates and the people you serve.”

Why choose Ohio State’s online Master of Public Administration and Leadership? 

Choosing the right graduate program was about more than prestige. For Pat, it was about values and finding an institution that mirrored his sense of duty and integrity. 

“I chose to attend the Master of Public Administration and Leadership at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University because of what its namesake stood for,” Pat explained. “John Glenn gave back to Ohio, gave back to the nation, and did it all with integrity.” 

The MPAL program also provided the structure and flexibility that a working professional needed. Even while he was still active duty, Pat was able to participate fully. 

“While I was in the program, I was still on active duty as a full-time Army colonel,” he said. “The pace of the classes was manageable. I didn’t lose out on family time or cut into professional commitments at work.” 

Despite being an online student, Pat never felt disconnected from the university or the Glenn College community. 

“Even though I was an online student, it never felt like it,” he said. “They reached out and made me feel part of the family and included me in just about everything going on.” 

That connection was so meaningful that Pat volunteered with the John Glenn Alumni Engagement Committee and now serves on the Leadership Development Committee. 

Learning from leaders and future leaders 

The MPAL program at Ohio State is designed for working professionals, many of whom come from military or public service backgrounds. For Pat, one of the most rewarding aspects was learning from both seasoned professors and fellow professional students in his cohort. 

“What appealed to me was learning from professors who had actually practiced the art and science of leading in the public and nonprofit sectors. But just as valuable was learning from my fellow students. They taught me the importance of teamwork, creativity, and, most importantly, leading with integrity.” 

The program challenged Pat to see problems through different lenses and to appreciate the complexity of public service leadership. 

“Some of the skill sets that The John Glenn College armed me with included the ability to look at a problem from multiple perspectives, being able to have empathy of not only looking at it from those that you’re working the problem with, but also focusing on what value are we trying to bring to the greater good.” 

Bringing his mission to life 

During the program, Pat took on a project with USA Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing stressors for veterans and military families, such as financial constraints, relationships, and employment. 

“I volunteered my time as a consultant,” he said. “I used skills from the MPAL program to analyze their demographics and offer a comprehensive evaluation so that we could increase the amount of veterans who were willing to come to them. Most importantly, their volunteers in each of the 50 states.” 

That experience brought Pat’s military and academic training full circle, allowing him to directly impact a cause he deeply cared about, helping fellow veterans thrive after service. 

Continuing to serve every day 

Today, Pat continues to serve as a museum ambassador at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, where he helps educate, connect, inspire, and honor veterans. 

“It’s all about tying veterans in with their communities,” he said. “That connection is essential.” 

Although he didn’t participate in Ohio State’s Service to Service initiative, a resource that came after his time in the program, Pat is enthusiastic about its mission. The initiative helps military-connected individuals navigate the transition to civilian careers. 

Pat’s journey mirrors the values at the heart of the Service to Service program: Recognizing that leadership, service, and impact don’t end with military retirement, they just take a new form. 

Advice for fellow veterans 

When asked what he would say to other military veterans considering the MPAL program at Ohio State, Pat doesn’t hesitate: 

“Bring your experience. Bring your leadership. It’s going to be welcomed with open arms, and you’re going to find that you can continue serving. For me, leadership is a choice, and if you choose to lead, you’re going to choose to serve. The John Glenn College really is about giving you those tools and arming you to serve.” 

He also emphasized the importance of coming into the program with a willingness to grow. 

“Come with an open mind. Come ready to learn from your fellow students, and then really be prepared to interact and challenge your professors, too. The experience was well worth it.” 

For veterans used to mission-driven work and high standards, the MPAL program offers a meaningful continuation of that path: One that’s rooted in public impact and lasting community service. 

Leading into the future 

Pat’s time in the military shaped who he is. The MPAL program at Ohio State gave him the tools, skills, and network to carry that service ethic into new spaces.  

“The John Glenn College of Public Affairs MPAL program will prepare you to lead in today’s environment,” he said. “It arms you with a pragmatic approach to service. It instills the values of teamwork, communication, and making informed decisions that serve the greater good.” 

For Pat, leadership is a choice. One that he’s choosing to lead forward.