LSU Alumni Geaux Getter:  Christopher Olvey

Christopher Olvey (MPA 2024) and his family have had lifelong commitments to civil service, both in public administration and the military.

From his father, who worked for the City of West Monroe, his mother, who recently retired after 30 years of teaching, and his grandfather, who served with the U.S. Marine Corps in the Korean War before coming home to become a Louisiana State Trooper.

Answering the Call

And he has continued these traditions, serving in the Louisiana National Guard for almost 15 years, returning from his second overseas deployment. He has also worked for the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (LA GOHSEP) for seven years.

“Needless to say, public service runs deep in my family, and it remains one of the guiding principles that has shaped my path,” Olvey said.

Choosing LSU

Olvey chose LSU for several compelling reasons. As a lifelong supporter of LSU Athletics, he viewed attending Louisiana’s flagship university as an opportunity to combine his academic pursuits with his passion for the LSU Tiger community.

But more importantly, was LSU’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, which is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading programs in the field. Its strong reputation for academic excellence and leadership development made LSU the ideal place for him to advance his education and prepare for a career in public service.

“The reputation associated with my LSU MPA degree carries significant weight, and I wanted to be part of a program with that level of credibility and impact.” 

Olvey remembered quite fondly the introductory public administration course taught by Dr. Roy Heidelberg, the program’s director.

The class challenged Olvey and forced him to see the political and bureaucratic landscape through a completely different perspective. He said the class laid the foundation for how he approaches leadership and decision-making today.

Career Growth and Leadership

“I did not anticipate advancing into my current role so quickly,” He said. “Shortly after graduating, I was promoted to a senior-level management position within the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Division.”

Olvey graduated from LSU with his graduate degree in 2024. A lifelong Louisianian from West Monroe now residing in Baton Rouge, Olvey first earned his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Technical University (LA Tech) in forestry, concentrating in forest and wildlife habitat management.

After graduating from LA Tech, he worked in the forestry private sector until 2018, when he started working for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), until he got a job with GOHSEP, where he is today.

“In this position, I oversee a team that provides technical assistance to sub-recipients of Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) funding across the state,” Olvey said. “My team supports efforts including cost-benefit analyses (BCAs), hazard mitigation plan updates, financial analysis, and foundational engineering and GIS support.”

Applying the LSU Experience

Olvey said that he is applying the skills he learned at LSU in both his military and civilian roles. He directly draws from the principles and frameworks he learned during his time at LSU, whether it be solving a problem, making a decision or mentoring others.

“The program does an exceptional job of building a strong and practical foundation for leadership in government,” Olvey said. “From understanding budgets and legislation to developing funding proposals, the curriculum consistently translates into real-world application.”

Building Teams That Win

Olvey said that LSU also reinforced the idea that effective leadership is built on strong teams. Throughout the MPA program, there was a consistent emphasis on collaboration, accountability, and strategic thinking. 

He said that the principles he learned through it have helped him build teams that win — both in his military service and civilian career.

“Building teams that win requires trust, clear communication, and a shared mission. LSU helped me refine those skills and apply them in high-stakes, real-world environments where outcomes truly matter."

Learn more about the LSU Alumni Association Young Alumni Council.

Learn more about the LSU Alumni Association Geaux Getters. 

Learn more about LSU's Master of Public Administration.