Rick Scott’s (MPA ’12) journey into public service was inspired by the events of September 11, 2001. “I just remember feeling like I wanted to do something,” he recalls of his high school senior year. This feeling led him to an ROTC scholarship, where he encountered people from diverse backgrounds united by the desire to serve.
In the Navy, Scott progressed as a Surface Warfare Officer, serving as an engineering officer, ship’s navigator, and later as an instructor stationed at the University of Michigan. He earned his Master of Public Administration at the Ford School while working full-time. “Serving in the military makes you appreciate people who come from different backgrounds and all walks of life working towards a common purpose. Our diversity is our strength,” Scott notes. “It makes you believe in serving the community and confirms that we have something worth serving.”
In the classroom, Scott learned how to interpret data and make evidence-based decisions. “The Ford School gave me the analytical tools to make informed decisions, rather than jumping into things. This, combined with my real-life leadership experiences in the military, prepared me for a successful career in local government.“
Today, as San José’s Assistant Director of Transportation, Scott helps oversee a 500-person department responsible for long-range planning, traffic safety, and roadway and streetscape maintenance. He led a large-scale pavement maintenance program that reduced the city’s maintenance backlog, paved 1,000 miles of roads, and will save the city more than $900 million.
Using data was crucial in his efforts to enhance city infrastructure. “Data helped us be strategic in our decision-making. Our goal was to maintain every city street in eight years, and we’ve built our program around efficiency and cost-effectiveness,” he shares. “We’re also addressing equity by focusing on where the need is greatest, not just where complaints are most frequent.”
He remains connected to his military community as a Reserve Science and Technology Officer with the Office of Naval Research.
The Ford School is exploring a partnership with the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans for the national Service to Service initiative. This program aims to connect veterans and military families with educational and career opportunities in public service, helping them build meaningful careers in local and state government.
By Rebecca Cohen (MPP ’09)
More in State & Hill
Below, find the full, formatted spring 2025 edition of State & Hill. Click here to return to the spring 2025 S&H homepage.