Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Ella Filston graduated from Wake Forest University in 2020 with a BA in Politics and International Affairs. Following graduation, she worked as a Fellow in the WFU Office of the Dean of the College where she managed special projects related to equity, education, and student wellbeing. Ella currently works in the UGA Office of Sustainability as the Waste Reduction Coordinator. She is responsible for coordinating university-wide outreach and education with a focus on recycling, compost, and reuse. She works closely with frontline staff, student interns, and faculty members to reduce waste and illuminate connections between sustainable practices and equity. Ella is also passionate about issues of immigration. She is proficient in Spanish and hopes to use her language skills to work with Spanish-speaking populations living in the United States. Ella is pursuing her MPA to advance professional goals of working in local government, nonprofit agencies, and/or advocacy groups to reverse climate change and improve life for immigrants and immigrant-receiving communities.

Education

BA | Wake Forest University | 2020 | Politics & International Affairs

MPA | University of Georgia | 2024

More About

Educational Experiences

Ella received her BA in Politics & International Affairs from Wake Forest University in 2020. She had minors in Environmental Studies, Biology, and Latin American & Latino Studies. She had the privilege of taking her academic studies to Peru, Argentina, and Chile, as well as to Spain, where she conducted independent research on gender and agrotourism. She held internships and attended conferences related to Latin American studies and sustainability.

Career Goals

Whether through work in nonprofits, local government, or other sectors, Ella plans to work at the intersection of social and environmental justice. Specifically, She intends to use her academic background, Spanish language skills, and experience working in sustainability to work towards solutions for climate change and broken immigration policy.

Relevant Work Experience

Waste Reduction Coordinator in the UGA Office of Sustainability
Fellow in the WFU Office of the Dean of the College
Plant-Forward Dining Intern in the WFU Office of Sustainability

Of Note

Phi Beta Kappa honor society member
Suma Cum Laude graduate of Wake Forest University

Areas of Expertise

Generalist

Research Interests

Environmental Justice and Policy
Latin American Studies
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Public Sector