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County CEO Sees Opportunities to Partner With Alma Mater
Monica Nino began her professional career as an accountant in the Stanislaus County auditor-controller's office. Then she went back to school, taking night classes at CSU Stanislaus and earning a Master of Public Administration degree in 1995.
Thanks in part to that degree, Nino this year was appointed CEO of Stanislaus County — a position in which she oversees the entire county government, including 26 departments, more than 3,700 employees and an operating budget of $891 million.
"The accessibility of having a state university in Stanislaus County is such an asset to this community," Nino said. "I knew I needed to get some public policy under my belt, and that was the huge value of having an MPA program right at my doorstep."
Nino, who earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Fresno State, became an assistant executive officer for Stanislaus County in 2005 and was appointed CEO in January.
If taking over a large governmental organization wasn't difficult enough, Nino has done so in the middle of difficult economic times. She said she's tried to take a long-term view on county budgeting, which is one of the biggest challenges she faces as CEO.
"It's very much about balancing that budget within our means, but also about balancing the services we deliver," Nino said. "We have people from all different walks of life who value those services.
"It's easy to work the hours I do, because our county employees are very dedicated. They're very loyal. And they're very passionate about the services they deliver. That's what really drives me."
As someone who worked her way through college and entered the workforce immediately after earning her bachelor's degree — then returned later, already a professional, for her MPA — Nino said she would encourage current students and alumni alike to keep working on their education.