Jonathan Prevst (MPA ‘16) feels lucky to be alive.
He had no idea that he was born with a rare heart condition—which he later learned is called an “anomalous coronary artery” and an “enlarged aortic root”—and required sudden open-heart surgery in 2020. “On average, when you wake up, you have a 50% chance of sudden death,” Prevost explains.
When he awoke from anesthesia, he realized that he needed to dedicate his life to public service.
“When I was recovering, I was like, ‘I want to do more for my community,’” he says. “I want to leave a legacy of paying forward to the next generation.”
Even before his life-changing experience, he always saw himself working with communities in need. After completing his MPA at Baruch College, he worked for the Nassau County Legislature improving local roads to keep citizens safe.
“It was the perfect role for me because I was working with elected officials and the public,” Prevost says. “There was a bad road near where I grew up, so I got the ball rolling. I saw how much I enjoyed looking for issues and getting them addressed. I was hooked from there.”
For his work, he received a local community service award.
“I was honored to be recognized for all the hard work that goes into it,” Prevost says. “Staying up late, writing letters, going out to sites, taking pictures in the rain. I used my voice to be a change agent.”
In 2024, Prevost was featured on CUNY’s ‘50 Under 50’ list.
“Baruch College was vital,” he adds. “It helped me lay a great foundation for my career, so to be recognized by CUNY meant a lot. It showed me that I’m on the right path to creating an impact on a bigger scale.”
Prevost is thankful for the connections he made in the MPA program.
“My teachers and classmates made it worthwhile because you’re around subject-matter experts.”
Outside of work, Prevost spends ample time with his family and says that no matter where he is or who he’s with, he’s always thinking about others.
— Erin Davis