Voinovich School graduate helps local governments across Ohio

As a community planner, Emma Cepek works alongside local Ohio governments and uses her data analysis skills to translate research into meaningful community recommendations for elected officials. 

A graduate of Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, Cepek is a community planner at Verdantas LLC.

She began her public service journey during her undergraduate studies, where she majored in public administration at Muskingum University. She got involved in the John and Annie Glenn Public Service Fellows Program, which allowed her to explore the career path in a new way.

“I quickly discovered a passion for helping communities solve problems and create positive change,” Cepek said. Her passion encouraged her to continue her education further.

“I was looking for a graduate program that would not only supplement my undergraduate education but also provide practical experience that would prepare me to enter the workforce,” Cepek said.

This search led her to the Voinovich School’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, where she was especially inspired by the opportunity to gain hands-on experience as she continued her education. 

“What really solidified my decision was the opportunity to serve as a graduate assistant with the Planning, Education, Evaluation and Research (PEER) Team,” Cepek said.

Putting public administration into practice

OHIO’s MPA program gave Cepek a core set of skills in data collection, research and evidence-based decision-making, allowing her to uniquely benefit the communities she worked with. 

After graduation, she began working for the City of Reynoldsburg as a municipal planner. In this role, she served as a resource for residents, developers and local businesses as they navigated zoning regulations and local policies.

“The most rewarding moments were when someone would reach out with a concern or question and leave feeling informed and heard,” Cepek said. “Building that trust and serving as a resource for the community was incredibly fulfilling.”

Currently, she works with Verdantas LLC as a community planner, working with communities across Ohio. In her role, Cepek helps create comprehensive plans for future projects, drafts zoning code updates and implements economic development initiatives. 

“A large part of my work involves helping local governments think strategically about their future,” Cepek said. “That can mean facilitating public engagement activities, conducting research and data analysis, drafting plans and policies, or working with elected officials, staff and community stakeholders to build consensus around a shared vision.”

Impacting Ohio communities for the better

Whether working for the city or a private company, Cepek’s mission remains the same: serving communities and helping shape their future. Addressing a community’s challenges and creating solutions through research-driven data is exactly what the Voinovich School wants its alumni to learn from its mission of public service and improving Ohioans’ lives. 

“The impact of this work can be seen in the plans, policies and projects that help communities grow and thrive,” Cepek said. “It's rewarding to know that the work we do helps local governments make decisions that are thoughtful, strategic and reflective of community needs.”

Cepek went on to say that she really values the opportunity to connect with residents throughout the planning process for these projects and ensure that their voices and wants are heard.

“Planning is ultimately about people, and some of the most impactful work happens when you bring together different perspectives to create a shared vision for the future,” Cepek said. “At the end of the day, what motivates me most is knowing that the work I do contributes to creating places where people want to live, work and thrive, both now and for future generations.”

Advice for future public servants

As Cepek reflected on her time working as a public servant, she encouraged current students to remember the people and communities they serve.

“It's easy to get caught up in policies, plans, regulations and data, but at the end of the day, the work we do impacts real communities and real lives,” she said.

“Finally, don't underestimate the value of curiosity and continuous learning. The field is constantly evolving, and no one has all the answers,” Cepek said. “The best professionals I've worked with are the ones who ask questions, seek out new perspectives and are always willing to learn.”