“Leaving Things Better”: Ivyn Holloway on Fatherhood, Firefighting, and Grad School

Ivyn Holloway has learned a lot in the nine years he’s spent fighting fires, but one of the most valuable lessons came early: During a call, Ivyn decided to try to recover some meaningful personal items for a family. A battalion chief noticed the gesture and pulled him aside.

“He said, ‘I’ve always believed you should leave things a little better than you found them,’” Ivyn said. “And that’s what I try to do.”

That simple philosophy has stayed with Ivyn ever since. Now working as a captain with the Winston-Salem Fire Department, Ivyn strives to put his ideals into practice as a student in the Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies (SPS) Master of Public Administration (MPA) program and a father to three daughters.

As Father’s Day approaches, Ivyn took the time to share how the idea of leaving things better than you find them influences his approach to both leadership and life.

Building a Career on Service

Ivyn’s career didn’t begin in public service. Before starting his MPA—and even before joining the fire department—he spent several years in the telecommunications industry, working as a manager for places like Prime Communications, AT&T’s largest Authorized Retailer.

He was good at the job and enjoyed a steady, healthy income. Over time, though, he realized he wasn’t being fulfilled by the work.

“I knew I wanted to do something to help people, but I didn’t know exactly what it was,” Ivyn said.

The answer came after a conversation with his wife, whose grandfather had been a New Jersey fire captain. When she mentioned that the Winston-Salem Fire Department was hiring and offering a six-month academy, Ivyn decided to take the leap.

It wasn’t always easy. Becoming a first responder meant adjusting financially and learning high-pressure skills like emergency medical training and how to make decisions under fire—literally.

But now that he’s started, Ivyn can’t imagine doing anything else.

After serving as a firefighter, he was promoted to fire engineer and then acting captain. Now a formal captain, he knows that he wants to move higher in the organization and continue to teach others what he’s learned.

“When I learn something new, I like to teach it to everyone around me in the same field,” he said. “The higher you go, the more you’re able to teach.”

After a conversation with his fire chief, Ivyn decided a master’s degree would help him prepare for future leadership opportunities. He decided to enroll with Wake Forest SPS and earn his MPA.

Since starting the program in January, he’s found a way to make graduate school both manageable and meaningful. He balances 24-hour shifts, family responsibilities, and softball schedules, using downtime at work to study and setting aside focused school time on his days off.

He credits Wake Forest SPS with providing the flexibility and support he’s needed to succeed.

“It’s been probably one of the best experiences that I’ve had as far as getting an education,” Ivyn said. “Everybody I meet, it’s been great.”

Balancing Fatherhood, Softball, and Life

At home, Ivyn has plenty to keep him busy. He’s the father of three daughters: a soon-to-be 18-year-old, a nine-year-old, and an eight-year-old.

Parenthood, he said, can be harder than firefighting in some ways.

“As firefighters, we know what we do is inherently dangerous,” Ivyn said. “But kids don’t have that. You want to teach them and do right by them, but you can’t always expect them to know that things can happen unexpectedly.”

Balancing school and work can cause additional stress. A coach to his youngest daughters’ softball teams, Ivyn does his best to keep up with a schedule that can run seven days a week with practice, games, and travel commitments. But with 24-hour shifts at the station, he’s had to miss some important moments—like his nine-year-old’s first homerun.

Still, he’s proud to note that one of his daughter’s teams finished fourth overall and the other just completed an undefeated season. And he and his wife have worked hard to keep their relationship strong.

“We have time to miss each other, so when we come together we make sure it’s time well spent,” he said. “She’s like my rock.”

It also turns out managing a family and managing firefighters aren’t so different. After all, both require patience, guidance, and the ability to teach.

“My captain said, ‘Man, you have kids. You know how to handle firefighters,” Ivyn said.

Building a Legacy to Be Proud Of

Whether he’s leading at the station, coaching on the field, or working in the classroom, Ivyn’s motivation remains the same: to leave things better than he found them. By serving both his community and his family, Ivyn hopes to set a positive example as “a guy who really helped.”

“I want to better myself so I can better the people around me,” he said.

As Wake Forest SPS celebrates Father’s Day, Ivyn’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is a choice worth making room for—one that benefits every part and every season of life.

Ready to lead with purpose? Check out the Master of Public Administration program at Wake Forest SPS.