Mayor of Bellevue is a Point Park MBA, History and Journalism and Mass Communication Alumna Alumni Profile

What role did your Point Park University education play in helping you become mayor of Bellevue?

My education at Point Park University provided the foundation for my political career. I was active and aware in high school, but at Point Park, I found myself immersed in a diverse community who shared my passion for social justice and progressive politics.

I was working for The Globe when Barack Obama became our 44th president in 2008. Our newsroom was filled with hope that went on to fuel action and energy. That experience taught me the vital impact of communication and journalism as a way to connect with society and create change through shared knowledge and resources.

My perspective completely expanded when I began working with the Innocence Institute at Point Park. I was exposed to the deep and systemic inequality rooted in our justice system. I worked on cases where juveniles are spending their lives in prison due to unfair laws in Pennsylvania, a problem still persisting almost a decade later.

While my experience at Point Park provided a positive and progressive sense of community, it also showed me that we need to harness our energy and take action. You could say that I always had the sense I needed to change the world. Point Park gave me an education in the wheres, whys and whats — and most importantly, it got me started on the hows.

Why did you choose Point Park to pursue both your undergraduate and graduate degrees?

I chose Point Park for my undergraduate studies in journalism and mass communication and applied history because it was a small liberal arts school in the heart of Pittsburgh. I fell in love with the city during a summer journalism workshop when I was in high school. Imagine my excitement when I read Professor Helen Fallon’s personal note on my acceptance letter, telling me she was excited I decided to return. Has Helen ever forgotten anyone’s name? She was right. If I hadn’t decided yet, her note sealed the deal.

I continued at Point Park for my MBA degree concentrating in management, which I completed while also working full time. The program provided evening classes that fit perfectly with my schedule. I knew Point Park professors had real-life experience in their fields, which offered a richness they brought to the classroom. The University was also a short commute from my home in Bellevue where I’d recently bought a house.

What are your favorite Point Park memories?

My position at The Globe was the absolute highlight of my time at Point Park. Every Tuesday, the team worked long hours putting the newspaper together, eating greasy pizza in a ridiculously hot room. I hear you have A/C now! I was with the best people who are now proving to be my lifelong friends. The student newspaper also gave me the opportunity to attend the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh and cover commentary from President Obama.

What career advice do you have for our undergrad and grad students?

I didn’t take the expected or idealized career path. I didn’t work in the field I studied, but instead got a job in banking after graduation. Like most millennials, I was faced with a demanding economic reality. My career priorities shifted so I could support myself and pay my bills. When the bank where I worked was sold, I left to work for my dad’s company. This change didn’t make paying those bills any easier. So, my advice is to truly make your college experience worth every penny you pay for it. Try to cultivate a sense of flexibility and adaptation. Your career path may not follow an expected route, or an easy one.  

Connect with Emily Marburger

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