Brandon Hennes, ‘24 (MBA) who serves as the city administrator of Omro and graduates Dec. 13 with his Master of Public Administration degree from UW-Oshkosh, stands outside Omro City Hall. 

When Brandon Hennes walks across the stage at  the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh’s midyear commencement ceremony on Dec. 13, he’ll do so having reached a milestone few young professionals achieve this early in their careers: completing a second graduate degree while simultaneously leading an entire city. 

Hennes, who has served as the city administrator of Omro since 2023, will graduate with his Master of Public Administration (MPA), a degree he says has transformed the way he approaches leadership, problem-solving and civic engagement. 

“I entered the profession at a younger age than most people in similar positions,” said Hennes, who was 30 when he became the city administrator. “I felt a responsibility to make sure my decisions were grounded in a strong understanding of public policy, budgeting and organizational leadership.” 

Hennes grew up in Custer, Wisconsin, the son of a medical administrative assistant at Aspirus Hospital and a welder who has spent 40 years at Steel King. He and his brother are first-generation college students—something he says shaped his determination to build a career rooted in service, responsibility and continuous learning. 

That motivation ultimately brought him back to UW-Oshkosh, where he previously earned his MBA in 2024. For Hennes, the MPA became the next step in building a career devoted to thoughtful, ethical and community-centered public service. 

Strengthening a community through education 

Hennes’ path to municipal leadership began in accounting and auditing, roles that sharpened his technical expertise but left him eager to work more directly with people and policy. After joining the City of Omro, he quickly recognized the importance of strengthening the skills that would allow him to guide a community with confidence and clarity. 

 “Stepping into the city administrator role at a young age naturally raises questions about experience, judgment and readiness,” he said. 

 Many Omro staff members have decades of municipal experience and many residents have deep ties to the community. Hennes knew trust wouldn’t be automatic. 

 “It had to be earned through consistency, transparency, and a demonstrated commitment to doing what is best for Omro,” he said. 

 According to Samantha Larson, associate professor in the College of Public Affairs and Education and interim director of the Whitburn Center for Governance and Policy Research, Hennes did exactly that. 

“Brandon came into the MPA program already a skilled practitioner with a strong foundation in business and budgeting,” Larson said. “What impressed me most was his drive to strengthen his public administration and policy skills with a second graduate degree. That is the sign of a truly dedicated local government leader—and a lifelong learner.” 

Larson said Hennes stood out for how quickly he translated class concepts into real-world improvements. 

“Brandon consistently looked for opportunities to take what he was learning and immediately apply it to strengthen his community,” she said. “He focused on the importance of building good relationships and civic trust with his residents. These are some of the hardest, but most essential, traits for leaders. And he has truly worked on mastering them.” 

A capstone with real-world impact  

Hennes’ final capstone project in Larson’s course focused on an issue affecting communities across Wisconsin and the nation: affordable workforce housing.  

“My interest in affordable housing grew out of conversations with residents, employers and community partners,” Hennes said. “A shortage of attainable housing can limit a community’s ability to grow and remain competitive.”  

In Omro, he has already applied lessons from his coursework—updating zoning regulations, supporting new residential developments and engaging in detailed conversations with developers. 

“These steps have helped us identify new opportunities and create a more stable path for long-term growth,” he said. 

Larson noted that his capstone exemplifies what makes UWO’s MPA program powerful. 

 “It’s a perfect example of how he applied the skills from his courses to make an impact in real time,” she said. “And that is exactly what we love to see from our MPA students.” 

Two degrees, one mission 

Earning both an MBA and MPA at UWO gave Hennes a versatile foundation to approach leadership from multiple angles.

“The MBA provided a strong foundation in organizational strategy, financial management and leadership from a business perspective,” he said. “The MPA offered something different. It focused on public service, the policy environment and the unique responsibilities that come with working in government.” 

One of his most valuable takeaways from his time at UWO was the importance of reframing issues—stepping back to view a situation from multiple angles before settling on a solution. 

“It has improved my ability to communicate with elected officials, staff and residents,” he said. “I rely on this skill almost every day.”   

As he graduates, Hennes is focused on continuing to strengthen the City of Omro through collaborative planning, transparent governance and long-term strategic thinking. 

He hopes his journey encourages future Titans to consider careers in public service. 

“I would encourage future Titans and early-career professionals to approach public service with curiosity, patience and a willingness to learn,” he said. “If you enter the field with humility, purpose and a commitment to continuous improvement, you’ll find a career filled with purpose and opportunity.” 

Learn more: 

UWO Midyear Commencement: all the details and the Dec. 13 livestream

Master of Public Administration