February 1, 2012 (Jackson) - Belhaven’s Stan Easterling and Poala Phillips in the Masters of Public Administration (MPA) Program are finalist in the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program for 2012.

Easterling and Phillips are part of the 628 finalists who came from 9,100 applicants from around the U.S. Finalists in the PMF program move to the top of the federal government’s list for administrative leadership positions in different agencies. It is a very selective and prestigious program pulling from many Ivy League universities.

Amos Ellis (’09) was Belhaven first PMF finalist and now works as a PMF 2010 Project Manager at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“We are very pleased and proud of Stan and Poala, who are two wonderful representatives of the quality in Belhaven’s MPA curriculum,” said Dr. Ervin Paul Martin, Belhaven’s MPA Program Director. “Our MPA students and graduates hold their own and compete with the best in the nation in the public sector, especially infederal and state government.”

The MPA program at Belhaven University helps equip graduates for increased leadership and management responsibilities within government agencies. Belhaven’s Adult Studies programs, like the MPA, are accelerated degree programs, meeting once a week and are designed for the working adult.

Belhaven stands among the select Christian colleges and universities that offer a unique general core curriculum encouraging the development of a personal worldview. The university believes a Christian worldview is a key to preparing men and women academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.

Founded in 1883, Belhaven University now serves over 3,000 students from campuses in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, Atlanta and online, offering traditional undergraduate degrees, graduate and adult degree programs, and online degree programs.