This Fall, Jason Young is aiming to finish his final semester in the MPA program. After nearly two decades building a career in horticulture and public gardens, Jason came to MPA program to pursue his next step in public gardens. At UGA, he serves as the Director of Horticulture and Grounds at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. The role is a faculty appointment in the unit Public Service and Outreach. His path has taken him from the USDA’s dryland agriculture research program in Colorado, to managing historic gardens at Monticello. School has been a pursuit alongside work for his whole career, he will hold 4 degrees. Bachelor’s degrees in both art and biology, a Master of Science in Horticulture from Colorado State University, and will soon have a Master of Public Administration from UGA. He hopes that this MPA will enable him to pursue executive leadership positions in public gardens. In his personal life, Jason is an elite participant in Spartan racing, runs marathons, and enjoys all things outdoors with his wife and two sons.
