Sally Ly serves as Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development at the California Government Operations Agency, where she leads statewide HR modernization efforts. Her work focuses on leading HR reforms, expanding access to employment opportunities and building a skilled, diverse workforce that reflects and serves all Californians.
Deciding to earn a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law had a significant impact on her career. “There were two drivers that shaped my decision,” she explains. “The first one was a personal milestone, and the second was a professional need to deepen my leadership and analytical capabilities.”
Advancing a Career in Public Service
Despite years of hands-on experience, she felt that pursuing a graduate degree in public administration would strengthen her leadership and analytical capabilities. Sally also considers herself a lifelong learner, so “Pursuing the MPA felt naturally aligned with my mindset.”
Before enrolling in the MPA program, she was already well established in her career, serving as a Senior Human Resources leader for the City of Sacramento. In that role, she oversaw and led a wide range of HR functions, including recruitment and retention, classification and compensation, examinations, policy development, enterprise training, and diversity and equity initiatives. Her role also required close collaboration with labor organizations to resolve complex personnel matters-an experience that deepened her understanding of how government systems, people, and policies intersect.
Balancing Work, Life, and Graduate School
While working within that role, Sally was still very motivated to pursue the MPA. “I had all the right certifications, but I knew that going through this program would enhance my learning to make me an even more effective leader.” At that time, she was leading quite a few equity initiatives for the City of Sacramento and thought the program would be a great complement to her work.
Like many working professionals in the MPA program, Ly completed her degree while maintaining a full-time career. She attended evening classes while continuing to manage demanding responsibilities at work. “It was difficult at times, and I didn’t always do it perfectly,” she admits. “There were long workdays followed by late nights of studying and completing assignments,” but when things got difficult, she “regrouped myself, recollected myself, and continued on” with the long-term goals in mind.
Courses That Shaped a Leadership Perspective
During the program, several courses had a lasting impact on how Ly approaches leadership and public sector problem-solving. One influential class focused on leadership frameworks taught by Dr. Marcie Paolinelli, where students explored multiple leadership lenses to analyze organizational challenges. “It significantly shaped how I analyze and reflect on complex organizational challenges.”
Another course with Professor Jim Mayer focused on driving systemic change in government and leadership. “It greatly enhanced my ability to implement equitable strategies and advance meaningful change,” she says. Through the program, the coursework pushed her to think more strategically and systemically, and better understand how policies, people, and processes connect. Today, she still uses those leadership frameworks when navigating complex organizational challenges.
Sally’s public administration training, learned at McGeorge, continued to influence her career trajectory post-graduation. Her current role requires collaboration across agencies, strategic leadership, and a deep understanding of government operations.
“The MPA program gave me a systemic lens,” Ly explains. “It helped me understand how policies, processes, and people connect, and that perspective has shaped every leadership decision I make.”
The Value in the MPA Program
Sally says that she “would describe it [the program] as challenging, rewarding, and transformative; I would definitely say that the rigor of the coursework pushed me to think critically and to broaden my perspective.”
The program also had a very collaborative environment that allowed her to build lasting relationships with her classmates. Many of her classmates have since advanced into leadership roles across government, and several remain close friends. “I was very serious about my learning, but we also found ways to relieve stress and support each other,” she says.
For professionals considering a Master of Public Administration degree, Ly encourages them to approach the program with a clear sense of purpose. “The MPA is more than just a credential. It’s about transforming the way you think, lead, and create change,” she says. “If you’re passionate about making a difference, the program will give you the tools to do that.”