MPA NEWSLETTER
September 2018
Good News
Travis Akers (MPA '14) was recently promoted to Navy Lieutenant. Pictured here is Travis renewing his oath to the Constitution.
Casey Berner (Current Nonprofit Certificate Student) is now Stage Management Fellow at The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, PA.
Zachary Bowen (MPA '17) is now Adjunct Professor at Thiel College in Sharon, PA.
Colonel Kenneth M. DeTreux (MPA '18) recently celebrated his retirement from the Marine Corps after over 30 years of service. He was honored during his retirement celebration at the Irish Memorial in Philadelphia, PA. To read about his service and honors please click here.
Earvin Faust (Current MPA Student) is now Police Sergeant at Villanova University in Villanova, PA.
Jeffrey Gibson (MPA '17) is now Director of Technology for Heritage Hall School in Oklahoma City, OK.
Alex Henderson (MPA '04) Recently published several new articles:
- Henderson, A.C., & Sowa, J.E. Volunteer Satisfaction at the Boundary of Public and Nonprofit: Organizational- and Individual-Level Determinants. Forthcoming in Public Performance & Management Review.
- Henderson, A.C., Țiclău, T., & Balica, D. Perceptions of Discretion in Street-Level Public Service: Examining Administrative Governance in Romania. Forthcoming in Public Performance & Management Review.
- Henderson, A.C., & Sowa, J.E. (2017). Retaining Critical Human Capital: Volunteer Firefighters in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Voluntas, 29(1), 43–58.
Alex Henderson (MPA '04) was appointed to two positions:
- Co-Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Health and Human Services Administration starting January 1, 2019
- Academic Fellow, Local Government Workplaces Initiative, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Christopher Kotwicki (MPA ’18) is now a Development Associate at the American Conservative Union in Washington, DC.
Diana Lampasona (PSA Minor '18) is now Solution Engineer Intern for the Local Government Team at Esri, Inc. in Philadelphia, PA.
Brian McLaughlin (MPA '09) is now Manager of Jury Programs (Court Executive 2A) for the New Jersey Judiciary in Trenton, NJ. To read the full announcement of Brian's new position please click here.
Christine O’Hare (MPA '18) is now the Assistant Director of Donor Relations at St. Joseph’s University
Alyssa Pooler (Current MPA Student) is now a Law and Policy Intern for FairVote in Washington, DC/Metro Area.
Marquis Coates (MPA '11) is now Program & Engagement Coordinator for the Center for Access, Success, and Achievement at Villanova University in Villanova, PA.
Abasi Steele (MPA '18) is now a Quality Analyst with Veteran Evaluation Services in Houston, TX.
Nicholas Valla (MPA Current Student) recently was awarded the Young Professional 2018 ICMA Conference Assistance Scholarship, 3rd Place in ICMA Best Chapter Event, and the National Association of County Administrators (NACA) Tom Lundy Scholarship.
Program Initiatives
Memorial Book - Remembering Dr. John Kelley
Adam Swope Memorial Book Scholarship Award
In Memory of Adam Swope, MPA ’16, the Adam Swope Memorial Book Scholarship Award was created by the Villanova MPA program. It was first awarded to MPA student Laura Matthews at the 18th Annual MPA Dinner on April 28, 2018. The purpose of the scholarship is to honor Adam’s dedication to public service by providing funding to graduate students to help cover the cost of textbooks. Laura will use this scholarship towards the cost of her Fall 2018 textbooks.
Several MPA alumni have joined together to pledge gifts, with the hope that the scholarship can be granted twice a year - for the Fall and Spring semesters. With support from alumni who knew Adam and the larger Villanova MPA community, we are committed to igniting change for current and future Villanova MPA students. Please consider supporting Adam’s memory with a check donation addressed to the Villanova MPA program and earmarked for the “Adam Swope Memorial Book Scholarship.” The suggested bi-annual gift is $50.00.
Please mail your check to the MPA program at the following address:
Dr. Catherine Wilson, Department of Public Administration
Villanova University
800 Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085
Thank you for your support by remembering Adam and the wonderful man that dedicated his life to public service.
Christopher Gale, MPA ‘14
E.J. Mentry, MPA ‘15
Jonathan Quigley, MPA ‘16
Latesha Sims, MPA ‘14
Help us celebrate 1842 Day - Villanova’s Annual Giving Day!
Next Tuesday, September 18th consider making a gift of any size to unite and support our Villanova community! Whether an alumnus, student, faculty or staff member, you can participate in this annual day of giving to support the work of our University both near and far.
You can designate your gift towards any area of campus – including the MPA program! Learn more about 1842 Day and all the ways you can celebrate all that makes Villanova and our MPA program great.
Events
Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN): "Donuts and Dots" - September 13, 2018
When: 8:30-10:30am
Where: Back Office Thinking, 790 E. Market Street, West Chester 19382
Register here! Questions? Contact Dr. Lauren Miltenberger.
MPA Independent Research Symposium and Welcome Back Happy Hour - September 14, 2018
Join us for our very first MPA Student Research Symposium from 4:00-5:00pm followed by a Welcome Back Happy Hour from 5-6:30pm for all students, faculty, and alumni.
Featured Student Presentations:
- Tolu Omodara – Framework for the Villanova Public Administrator Management Development Program
- Fatima Rezaei – The Delivery of Mental Health Services in Refugee Populations
- Isabel Nelson – A Comparison of the Third Sector in Italy and the United States
St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service - September 15, 2018
The St. Thomas of Villanova Day of Service is arguably one of largest University events of the year. This year's Day of Service will take place on Saturday, September 15 in the Villanova/Greater Philadelphia Region but there are events happening throughout the Nova Nation during the month of September.
We encourage all of our students and alumni, both near and far, to register with their closest VU Regional Club to get involved! Take photos and share your stories with us at publicadmin@villanova.edu.
Learn more about the Day of Service here!
Public Administration/Local Government Networking Event
Kamara Umbaugh, a current MPA graduate student is in the process of creating a MPA group for current students and alumni in the New York City area.
They are exploring the idea of hosting a networking event this fall in the area for current public administration and local government professionals. They would like to create a space for individuals to meet people for their own professional growth, and networking opportunities within the industry.
To kick things off, they will be attending an event promoted by the Villanova NYC Club on Thursday, September 20, 2018. A link to the event can be found here.
Villanova MPA @ ICMA: We're Heading to Baltimore - September 23, 2018!
Are you heading to the conference? Reside in the Baltimore area? Join us at the conference (find us at booth 689) OR join us for an evening reception to connect with faculty, staff, students and alumni! Heavy hos d'oeuvres and plenty of conversation will be provided.
Pi Alpha Alpha Career and Networking Panel & MPA Open House - September 27, 2018
Have a friend or colleague interested in learning more about the program? Invite them to join us!
Please register here!
Save the Dates!
Nonprofit Spotlight: Sara Woods, MPA '05, and Executive Director of Philadelphia Futures
When: Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 7:30pm
Where: TBD
Villanova MPA Golf Outing:
Given decreasing participation over the years, we will be no longer hosting our annual Villanova MPA Golf Outing. We have decided instead to hold an annual Holiday Bowling Outing in early December, to which all MPA faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends are invited. Stay tuned for more details!
Additional Events - Greater Philadelphia and Beyond
Foreign Policy Research Institute - Fall 2018 Events
YPC Volunteer Fair
When: Thursday, September 13, 2018 from 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Mars Conference Center at the Chamber
To register and for more information please click here.
Make Money by Doing Good: Exploring Jobs in the Social Sector
When: Thursday, September 27, 2018
Where: Free Library of Philadelphia, Parkway Central, Skyline Room
to register please click here.
The Biden Challenge Conference: How to Revitalize the Middle Class sponsored by the University of Delaware - September 28, 2018
Conference Date: Friday, September 28, 2018
Time: 8:00am - 4:30pm
Location: University of Delaware, Clayton Hall - 100 David Hollowell Drive, Newark, DE 19716
Find more details and registration information here!
Nonprofit Job Fair
Where: Parkway Central, 1st Floor, Lobby
To register please click here.
Important Dates to Know!
Fall 2018 Comp Exam
- Exam Date: November 17, 2018
- Application Deadline: September 24, 2018
Graduation
December 2018 Graduation Application Deadline: September 15, 2018
DO YOU PLAN TO GRADUATE DECEMBER 31, 2018? Were you deleted from the September 1, 2018 graduation list or a past graduation period and now anticipate completing degree requirements at the end of the Fall 2018 semester (with a December 31, 2018 conferral degree date)? If so, you must apply/re-apply for graduation within the window of time to avoid the late fee. PLEASE read the Office of Graduate Studies webpage for details about applying to graduate and the deadline dates for submission.
Graduate Academic Calendars
Students - please note that every year, the university surveys graduate students about their experiences at Villanova. Additionally, we reach out to graduating students to learn about their plans post-graduation. Please be on the lookout for emails about these surveys. We greatly appreciate your feedback and use it to inform our activities.
Thank you!
Job/Internship Opportunities
Additional Opportunities
Want to Help an Aspiring Villanova Undergraduate Student interested in Public Service? Say Yes to Being a Mentor! One of the major strengths of our Villanova MPA is the community connections we have with you - our outstanding alumni and current students. We would love to share this strength with aspiring undergraduate students enrolled in our Public Service & Administration minor. The new mentoring program will connect undergraduate students who want to learn more about public service as a profession with our network of Villanova MPA public service leaders. Interested in helping out? Please email Professor Lauren Miltenberger at lauren.miltenberger@villanova.edu to learn more about the new mentoring program.
Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF)
Bearing the Presidential moniker, the PMF Program is a flagship leadership development program at the entry level for advanced degree candidates. It was created more than three decades ago by Executive Order and has gone through many changes over the years. The Program attracts and selects the best candidates possible, but is really designed with a more narrow focus - developing a cadre of potential government leaders. It provides some sustenance during the first years of employment and encourages development of leadership capabilities. The PMF Program inculcates a lasting bond as well as a spirit of public service, ultimately encouraging and leading to a career in the government. Learn more about the program here.
Application: 2019 PMF application is expected to launch at Noon (Eastern Time), Tuesday, October 9, 2018, and will close at Noon (Eastern Time), Monday, October 22, 2018.
Join the Nova Network - Villanova's Social and Professional Networking Platform
The Nova Network is Villanova's official, new social and professional networking platform!
Click here to join the Nova Network to find Villanovans in your industry and local area, discuss career-related topics and access resources for your professional development.
It takes just a few minutes to sign up and you can even use your LinkedIn profile to assist. Learn all about the Nova Network here. Questions? Contact the Alumni Association alumni@villanova.edu.
Social Media
Helpful Links
Share your news with us and update your contact information - Email publicadmin@villanova.edu