Jonathan Wong

Jonathan Wong (he/him) is a first-year doctoral student at the School of Public Administration. He is a communications professional that spent his career in the Minnesota state government and the nonprofit sector. His experiences include digital marketing & communications, civic engagement, strategic planning, DEI facilitating, and complex cross-sector collaborations.

Jonathan is passionate about social justice and raising social equity. Outside of his employment, he has worked on statewide and regional initiatives in Minnesota that aim to address racism and other social equity issues at the systemic level.

Jonathan is interested in social equity on collaborative governance and civic engagement. His interests and involvements led him to be selected as part of the mYALP, a Harvard-based program hosted by the Center for Integrative Leadership (University of Minnesota). He also completed a prestigious fellowship as a 20/21 Humphrey Policy Fellow and has done works sponsored by regional nonprofits and foundations such as the Bush Foundation and the McKnight Foundation.

Education:

• MPA, emphasis in International Development Leadership and Management, 2020, St. Cloud State University
• BS in Mass Communications (Major: Public Relations, Minor: Political Science), 2016, St. Cloud State University

Professional Work & Experience:

• Communications Strategist, Center for New Democratic Processes
• Communications Specialist, Minnesota Department of Human Rights
• Board Chair of the Jugaad Leadership Program
• Graduate Student Director, SCSU Survey Research Center

Research Interest:

• Public Governance and Management
• Social Equity
• Civic Engagement
• Collaborative Governance
• Public Opinion and participation