Public Policy alumnus Timothy J. Galpin (Ph.D. 2019) recently retired from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) after 22 years of service.
The APL is non-profit research center that performs highly innovative research and development for the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, the Intelligence Community, and other
federal agencies.
Dr. Galpin joined the APL in 2004 from a career as a Navy submarine officer, and eventually rose to Chief Strategy Officer and Assistant Director of Programs, where he oversaw government-sponsored technical work and chaired the internal Investment strategy team.
Dr. Galpin took the time to reflect on his time at UMBC. In his own words:
“My favorite courses in the PhD curriculum? Tough call. Too many great choices. I really enjoyed the history track in the public policy Ph.D. program because it combined two of my favorite general interests (i.e., history and policy). This is a fantastic program for both professionals who are returning to undertake a Ph.D. as well as full-time students.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank my advisor, Dr. Christy Ford Chapin for her insights and guidance throughout the doctoral process.
My Ph.D. was immediately useful to me when the degree was conferred. Even though I had already been promoted to my Chief Strategy Officer and Assistant Director for Programs roles at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory before I finished, I was able to leverage the policy background and insights gained during my studies frequently as I worked regulatory issues with government program offices as well as government oversight offices with Congress, US Navy, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering.
And as a practical matter, the Ph.D. was necessary for me to embark on my career leading the Engineering Management Program in Engineering for Professionals at the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering.”
Post retirement, Dr. Galpin plans to continue his service on the Maryland Science Center board of directors and consult for and teach at the Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering, where he previously chaired the Engineering Management master’s program.
He is currently co-writing a book about the Applied Physics Laboratory and strategy driven innovation.