Terri Thao

Program Officer,
Nexus Community Partners

Degree: MPP 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN

Terri Thao grew up in the Frogtown neighborhood in St. Paul. She has worked at Nexus Community Partners since 2005. Prior to this position, she was with the Roy Wilkins Center for Human Relations and Social Justice at the Humphrey School. Thao is an active in her communities, volunteering with Neighborhood House and the Asian Pacific Economic Development Association.

Why did you choose the Humphrey School?
I chose the Humphrey School because I knew of its reputation as a professional degree program for many members of communities of color in Minnesota.

Why is the Humphrey School unique?
It is unique because students have the opportunity to practice theories about public policy that they learning in the classroom with real-world communities.  This provides a richer learning experience, and also exposes students to different networks for employment.

What's the Humphrey School alumni network like?
The Humphrey School alumni network is wonderful; it is such a great asset to current and past students. My cohort class of 2002 continues to stay in touch personally and professionally.  In fact, I found my current job through a classmate.

What is your job?
I am a program officer for a community-building intermediary called Nexus Community Partners. Our mission is to build more engaged and powerful communities of color by supporting community-building initiatives that expand community assets and foster social and human capital. At Nexus, I handle our South Minneapolis portfolio of grantees, coordinate an asset-building initiative, and am responsible for internal operations.

 

March 15, 2012