Megan Bennett, an Academic Program Coordinator at the University of Texas at Austin, has always been driven by a passion for leadership and public service. Her journey from military service to academia, and now to the LBJ School's Executive Master of Public Leadership (EMPL) program, reflects her unwavering commitment to guiding others toward success.
After earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Southern Maine, Bennett was commissioned into the United States Army as a Medical Services Corps Officer. From 2019 to 2023, she served at Fort Cavazos, honing her skills in medical operations and leadership. "Serving others has always been my calling," Bennett said. "The military allowed me to fulfill that need."
Upon completing her active duty, Bennett transitioned to the reserves, where she now serves as a company commander. This role, combined with her position at UT, fuels her desire to blend her leadership experiences from both the military and civilian sectors. Her decision to join the EMPL program was driven by her passion for continuous self-improvement. With over four years of experience in medical operations, organizational leadership and team building, Bennett saw the EMPL degree as the next step in strengthening her leadership skills.
“Similar to most leaders in the military and individuals in public leadership roles, my lifelong passion has always been to guide others toward achieving operational success. Now that I have transitioned into the reserves, I have come to realize I do not want to give up the daily role and passion of helping others,” Bennett said. “As I assume greater leadership responsibilities in my career and within my reserve unit, my goal is to merge my leadership styles to effectively complement both professional environments.“
After graduation, Bennett plans to apply what she has learned to her role as a company commander and in future roles within her reserve career. She also aspires to seek positions of higher responsibility and leadership in the civilian sector, particularly within the non-profit realm. "I want to continue to motivate and inspire the people around me," she explains. "Even though I am no longer in charge of leading soldiers daily, my passion is to continuously assume leadership positions." The EMPL program will enable her to grow as a more effective and adaptable leader, benefiting both her civilian job and reserve unit.
As the youngest member of the cohort, Bennett recognizes that her age offers a distinct perspective on emerging leaders in her generation. Her background in the military, combined with her current role in academia, provides a unique blend of experiences that she believes will enrich the cohort's learning environment.
Bennett's journey to the LBJ School's EMPL program is a testament to her dedication to leadership and public service. Her experiences and commitment to continuous improvement make her a valuable addition to the LBJ community, ready to inspire and learn from her peers.