Rutgers SPAA NEWS – Fall 2020/Winter 2021

SPAANEWS

FALL 2020 / WINTER 2021

SPAA Launches Student Ambassador Program

Students participate in hands-on leadership and professional development opportunities PAGE 3

Celebrating 10 Years of the Bachelor of Arts Program SPAA virtually celebrates the anniversary of the undergraduate program in public and nonprofit administration PAGE 4

State of NJ Certified Public Manager Program Grads 126 students graduate from the 2020 cohort PAGE 8

DEAN’SNOTE Dear SPAA Family: The Fall 2020 semester started a new era for us as we opened the school year completely online for the first time in the history of the university. Nonetheless, as committed members in our family, everyone has given a 100% effort to educate our students and serve our community in this virtual environment.

As you will see in this newsletter, we have much to be proud of as we continue to persevere in this pandemic. First, we welcomed three new faculty members to our family: Drs. Leonor Camarena, Jihye Jung, and Basil Smilke. Each of them brings a wealth of knowledge that they will undoubtedly pass on to our students. Second, we launched the SPAA Student Ambassador Program. This group of undergraduate and graduate students will represent the school in a variety of different ways and we are very excited to have them join the team in a more formal manner.

Third, we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the undergraduate program in the fall semester. The BA program, a first of its kind in

the U.S., has grown every year and has produced countless graduates who have gone on to pursue graduate education and careers that cause many to envy their fine works. I salute all those who have facilitated the program’s success.

While the newsletter has much more to add to our accomplishments, I want to deliver a special message to our Asian family members in the space remaining. We all see the hate crimes committed against Asians in the U.S. and around the world, but please know that you are equal partners in our family and we would never endorse these sorts of behaviors in any form or fashion. As a school dedicated to public service, equality and equity are two terms that we live by and reinforce in our curriculum and practices. We will fight alongside you for as long as we are alive. We are indeed one SPAA Family without any reservations.

In Solidarity, Charles E. Menifield, Dean

Announcing New Rutgers University–Newark SPAA Faculty 2020-2021

Dr. Leonor Camarena Joins Rutgers SPAA Faculty as Assistant Professor Dr. Camarena comes to SPAA having completed her PhD from Arizona State University where her research explored issues involving women and diversity, as well as representation and leadership, in public and nonprofit organizations. She has also researched how technology is both effective and ineffective in organizational behavior components.

Read more: go.rutgers.edu/camarena-fall-20 2 |

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Dr. Jihye Jung joins Rutgers SPAA as Assistant Teaching Professor Dr. Jung’s research focuses on how accountability manifests at the implementation level through performance management and networked governance. She is a PhD graduate from the University of Colorado Denver, where her dissertation topic was “Dimensions of Democratic Accountability of Foundations: Transparency and Grantmaking Openness.”

Read more: go.rutgers.edu/jung-spring-21

Dr. Basil Smikle Jr. Joins Rutgers SPAA Faculty as Assistant Teaching Professor A political strategist and political advisor for more than 20 years, Dr. Smikle joins SPAA having completed his PhD in politics and education from Columbia University in 2019, where his research examined the politics of charter school growth and sustainability in Harlem, NY. Read more: go.rutgers.edu/smikle-fall-20

SPAA Launches Student Ambassador Program to Provide Leadership and Development Opportunities

Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration has launched the SPAA Student Ambassador Program to provide students with hands-on leadership opportunities and professional development activities that will equip them with the knowledge and skills to lead public and nonprofit organizations successfully. The student ambassadors will represent the school in various activities, including admissions, public engagement, and marketing initiatives. The program brings each student’s unique perspective, skill, and passion for collectively working together to represent SPAA's diversity, competency, knowledge, service, and ethical practice values.

“This program is an opportunity for our awesome students to enhance their leadership skills and expand their networking opportunities,” said Sharon Stroye, SPAA’s director of public engagement, who helped lead the program into existence. “The participants will design student-led initiatives around recruiting, marketing, fundraising, and community building.”

The inaugural cohort of SPAA Ambassadors consists of 11 students currently enrolled in undergraduate and graduate degrees across traditional and online programs in SPAA who are earning their BA, Master of Public Administration (MPA), and Executive MPA (EMPA).

"The School of Public Affairs and Administration is ecstatic to welcome our inaugural class of SPAA Ambassadors. Students are really at the core of many of our functions and they offer a unique perspective on recruitment, fundraising, and engagement. I do hope that they are as excited as we are to have them actively participate in these activities," said SPAA Dean Charles Menifield.

The ambassadors have divided themselves into four committees – Community Building, Recruiting and Marketing, Fundraising, and Focus Groups – to help SPAA expand its reach. As the students work together to represent and advocate for SPAA goals, the program will provide them with varied professional development training to aid in their own career goals and train them to be the next generation of public service leaders.

"I was interested in becoming a SPAA Ambassador because it is an opportunity that is mutually beneficial to both

The 2020-2021 Cohort of SPAA Student Ambassadors: n n n n n n n n n n n

Sakinah Ahmad, EMPA student Monica Bastos, MPA student Danielle Bouza, MPA student

Evaewero French, MPA student

Preeti Gratz, Online MPA student Diana J. Jones, MPA student

Rosslin Mensah-Boateng, MPA student Samantha Minchello, EMPA student Ana Olivera, BA student

Ifeoma Onwuka, Online MPA student Usvah Rizvi, BA student

myself and the greater SPAA community,” said Samantha Minchello, 2020-2021 SPAA Ambassador. “Not only does it enhance my leadership skills, build my network, and allow me to participate in professional development opportunities, but it gives me the chance to give back to the SPAA community by giving the students a seat at the table with the administration.

As part of the program, we act as a liaison between students and the different departments and resources they could take advantage of throughout the semester.”

Stroye is extremely impressed with the inaugural cohort of the SPAA Ambassadors. “The individuals selected have already raised the bar and surpassed our expectations,” she said. “We are excited about the launching of this program and look forward to the future of the SPAA Ambassador Program.”

For more information about the SPAA Student Ambassador Program,

visit spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/spaa-student-ambassador-program To meet the inaugural cohort of SPAA Ambassadors, visit spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/2020-2021-spaa-ambassadors

ON THE COVER: The inaugural cohort of the SPAA Student Ambassador Program for 2020-2021.

FALL 2020 / WINTER 2021

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Rutgers University–Newark SPAA

Celebrates Ten Years of the Public and Nonprofit Administration Undergraduate Program

In 2020, the undergraduate program at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) celebrated ten years of graduating leaders in public service.

The bachelor of arts degree at SPAA was a first of its kind in the nation, offering students the opportunity to earn an undergraduate degree with a focus on public administration while emphasizing the importance of public service. To mark the 10-year anniversary, SPAA hosted a virtual event on

Rutgers University–Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor gives remarks at the 10-year celebration of Rutgers SPAA's BA degree.

Shane Fuller (BA'16, MPA'17) performs at the 10-year celebration of Rutgers SPAA's BA degree.

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Dec. 10, inviting students, faculty, alumni, staff, and the Rutgers community to celebrate the undergraduate program.

SPAA Dean Charles Menifield’s opening remarks touched on 10 years marking a significant milestone and acknowledged current and past faculty directors and assistant deans for the SPAA undergraduate program. Professor Kyle Farmbry was the first faculty director of the BA program, followed by associate research professor Madinah Hamidullah. Associate professor Lindsey McDougle currently holds the position. The first assistant dean for undergraduate programs was director of public engagement Sharon Stroye, followed

by Yolanda Jackson, and is currently Alyssa LaPatriello.

“We have had some great leadership from both the academic side and the staff side for our program, and this success has reaped more success,” said Menifield.

Rutgers University–Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor remarked on the BA program’s rapid rise and SPAA establishing itself as one of the best of its kind in such a short time. "I think that these amazing successes reflect something profound about SPAA, about Rutgers-Newark, and about the city we call home. They reflect a shared commitment of SPAA students, faculty, staff, and alumni to thinking beyond ourselves, to developing expertise that serves others, and an unbinding commitment to collective action for the public good.”

The past and current faculty directors reflected on their time working with the program and some of its key moments. Farmbry recalled the discussions surrounding the start of the BA degree, while Hamidullah shed light on the name change of the BA program from “public service” to “public and nonprofit administration” in response to the needs of the students. McDougle touched on the experiential learning that is incorporated into the coursework and the degree's multi-faceted applications.

SPAA PhD alumni and current students reflected on teaching students in the BA program while pursuing their doctoral degrees and how it has impacted their careers, their teaching styles, and their continued desire to work with students. Tia Sheree Gaynor (MPA'05, PhD'11), associate professor of political science, University of Cincinnati; Marc

Fudge (PhD’11), professor, California State University, San Bernardino; and Kareem Willis (BA'16, MPA'17), SPAA PhD student, each spoke of their time with the program.

Following a musical performance by Shane Fuller (BA'16, MPA'17), 10 outstanding BA alumni who have contributed to the SPAA community and/or have given back to their respective communities were highlighted: n Anna Agbotse (BA’20) n Intashan Chowdhury (BA’17, MPA’19) n Charlene Dixon (BA'11) n Shane Fuller (BA'16, MPA'17) n Erik Cruz Morales (BA'18, MPA'19) n Claudia Saavedra (BA'18, MPA'20) n Carlos Valentin Jr. (BA'13) n Samantha Washington (BA'15, MPA'17) n Kareem Willis (BA'16, MPA'17) n Xiaoyang Xu (BA'17, MPA'18) Additionally, current SPAA students who have taken up

leadership positions within Rutgers University–Newark were

acknowledged, including SGA president Dylan Terpstra, who

spoke of his experiences at SPAA, as well as RU-N university

senator Camila Ventura-Martinez, and SGA SPAA senator

Carlos Rubio Arenas.

Before the event concluded with an open forum for com-

ments and reflections from attendees, Isaiah Friday (BA'10)

spoke about his experience as one of the first graduates of

the public service BA program. “You may have to rely on a

public service or government organization one day, and you

having this degree helps position you to know if that organi-

zation is really serving the public good,” he said.

To learn more about the 10 featured BA Alumni, visit spaa.newark.

rutgers.edu/celebrating-10-year-anniversary-undergraduate-degree To view the recording of the event, visit youtu.be/BOl1xzxmV2M

ALUMNINEWS DANTE ARNWINE (MPA’15) was named district manager for Community Board 9 in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, NY.

MIRAE KIM (PHD’14) joined the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University as an associate professor of nonprofit studies.

INTASHAN CHOWDHURY (BA’17, MPA’19) received the 2020

MPA'21) were selected as resident reporters by the public

MICHAEL CERRA (MPA’94) was named executive director of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities (NJLM).

JENNIFER MADÈ (BA'18) and HABEEBAH YASIN (BA'16,

New Professional to Local Government Award from the New Jersey Municipal Management Association (NJMMA).

radio station WBGO, as part of their community storytelling space for Newark residents to fill critical information gaps.

dent-elect of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).

New Jersey as Leonard Lieberman Philanthropy Fellow.

PATRIA DE LANCER JULNES (PHD'97) was elected as presi-

TIA SHEREE GAYNOR (MPA’06, PHD’11) proposed and estab-

lished a Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Campus Center (TRHT) at the University of Cincinnati. UC joins over 20 different colleges and universities across the nation that also house the center, including Rutgers SPAA. The TRHT Center was started by the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) in hopes to dismantle racism.

MELINDA JENSON (MPA'20) received the 2020 Pi Alpha

Alpha Masters Manuscript Award from the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) for her manuscript, “The Inequitable Burden of Care: Measuring the Effects of Informal Eldercare on Women’s Employment in the United States.”

ERIK CRUZ MORALES (BA'18, MPA'19) joined The Fund for

PHILIP NUFRIO (PHD'98) was asked by the Biden Institute of

the University of Delaware to develop policy papers on the topics of “Policies to Restore the Middle Class” and “Balancing Social Equity, Police Reform and Mitigating Alarming Homicide Rates in Major American Cities.”

SHILPA VISWANATH (PHD'19) received the 2020 Rising Star

Award from the American Society for Public Administration's (ASPA) Section for Women in Public Administration (SWPA).

Have news to share? We welcome SPAA alumni news about career,

professional, and educational accomplishments. For more alumni

information and to share updates, visit spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/alumni.

FALL 2020 / WINTER 2021

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SPAA Fall 2020 Welcome Back Event Inaugurates the 2020-2021 Cohort of SPAA Ambassadors

SPAA hosted its Fall 2020 Welcome Back Event virtually on Sept. 17. Dean Charles Menifield started the evening by welcoming students, faculty, and staff into a new semester and assured everyone that, even though SPAA has gone virtual this semester, its commitment toward quality education still holds irrespective of it being remote.

This year's welcome event also served as an inaugural event for the first-ever cohort of the SPAA Student Ambassador Program. EMPA student Samantha Minchello, one of the 2020-2021 SPAA Ambassadors, presented the vision of the ambassador program and its core purpose. She explained the ambassadors' plan to work with students across different programs and the faculty and staff to ensure all their voices are heard and expand SPAA's vision and reach to future students.

Dean Charles Menifield speaks at the SPAA Welcome Back Event for Fall 2020.

To view the recording of the event, visit youtu.be/WWRPtFeFZ7w

Conversations Around Election 2020

Rutgers SPAA organized several events to highlight topics related to the 2020 U.S. presidential election To view recordings of these events, visit go.rutgers.edu/us-elect-20

October 8, 2020: Suffrage of Black and White Women and Voting in New Jersey Linda Carter, Esq., professor at Essex County College, discussed voting rights prior to constitutional amendments and the importance of voting.

October 15, 2020: Power of the Vote: Impact on the Hispanic Community In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month and the 100-year anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, SPAA hosted an alumni panel discussion of the importance of voting and its impact on Latinx communities.

October 22, 2020: Power of Political Ads: Buying Reality During Elections Dr. Danilo Yanich, professor at the Biden School, discussed how political ads create a reality of races – a reality not to inform voters, but to persuade voters – with moderator Dr. Madinah Hamidullah, associate research professor at Rutgers SPAA. October 27, 2020: The Green Room: A Conversation About the 2020 Election before and after November 3rd Basil Smikle Jr., assistant teaching professor at Rutgers SPAA, was joined by Susan Del Percio, political strategist

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and crisis communications consultant, to share views about the state of the 2020 election cycle and its impact before and after November 3rd.

October 28, 2020: The Ballot or The Bullet? Police Use of Force: Shooting Unarmed Black Men and the Impact of Your Vote Dr. De Lacy Davis (MPA’12), a retired sergeant and founder of Black Cops Against Police Brutality (BCAP), shared his expertise in a discussion moderated by Dr. Charles Menifield, dean of Rutgers SPAA.

October 29, 2020: Changing the Narrative after the Results Election 2020 Dr. Tia Brown McNair, executive director for the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) Campus Centers at the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), discussed how the truth, racial healing, and transformation framework can impact the local, state, and national landscape.

November 5, 2020: Public Servants in Politics SPAA alumni and current students discussed their careers in legislative, local, and state politics and shared thoughts about November 3rd election activities.

ACCOLADES PhD candidate MERIL ANTONY was awarded a $5K scholarship grant by RAND Corporation. + Antony was selected as a 2021 Founders’ Fellow by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).

DOMONIC BEARFIELD, associate professor, joined

Public Administration Review (PAR) as an editor.

ARIANE CHEBEL D'APPOLLONIA, professor, was

selected as the 2021-2022 George Soros Visiting Chair in the School of Public Policy at the Central European University (CEU).

RACHEL EMAS, assistant teaching professor, was named co-

book review editor for the Journal of Public Affairs Education (JPAE). + Emas was selected to serve on the accreditation committee of the International Commission on Accreditation of Public Administration Education and Training (ICAPA) of the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA).

KYLE FARMBRY, professor, was appointed to represent

Rutgers University–Newark in launching a $500K grant from the U.S. Embassy, University of Pretoria, and RU-N to strengthen the United States-South Africa Higher Education Network.

DIANE HILL, assistant professor of professional practice, was

part of a team at Rutgers University that received a $5M National Institutes of Health grant to expand access to COVID-19 testing for underserved and vulnerable communities in New Jersey. + Hill was awarded a Rutgers Global Health Institute Global Health Seed Grant for the initiative "Transdisciplinary Intergenerational Community Engagement Model for Senior Health Promotion in Greater Newark."

PhD candidate ADAM KUCZYNSKI was selected as a 2020 Doctoral Seminar Fellow by the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA).

JIAHUAN LU, associate professor, joined the editorial

board of Nonprofit Management and Leadership.

PhD student HANJIN MAO was selected as a 2020 Doctoral Seminar Fellow by the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA).

LINDSEY MCDOUGLE, associate professor, joined

the editorial board of Nonprofit Management and Leadership.

SUZANNE PIOTROWSKI, associate professor, and GREGORY PORUMBESCU, assistant professor, are part of a Rutgers Uni-

versity-led team – which includes the Transparency and Governance Center in SPAA for which they are the director and assistant director respectively – awarded a three-year, $2.3M Smart and Connected Communities Grant from The National Science Foundation (NSF) to partner with the City of Newark, NJ, for developing strategies and tools to create inclusive and equitable digital public services.

SUZANNE PIOTROWSKI, associate professor, had her research cited in the final report of the 2018-2020 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Advisory Committee, on which she served, with one of the report’s recommendations – requiring a report from the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Information Policy (OIP) and the National Archives' Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) to Congress and the President – coming directly from her work.

NORMA M. RICCUCCI, Board of Governors Distinguished Professor, was awarded the 2021 Herbert Simon Award from the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA). + Riccucci was awarded the 2020 William Duncombe Excellence in Doctoral Education Award by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). + Riccucci was awarded the 2020 H. George Frederickson Award by the Public Management Research Association (PMRA).

EMPA student ANDREW SAUNDERS received a grant for his co-founded nonprofit organization, New Blue, via The Tamer Fund for Social Ventures from Columbia Business.

PhD candidate KAYLA SCHWOERER was selected to be the first American Society for Public Administration's Section for Science and Technology in Government Fellow. + Schwoerer was elected as a 2020-2021 student representative for the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA).

PhD candidate KAREEM WILLIS was selected to be part of the 2020 Graduate Diversity Scholars and Leaders program by the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA).

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126 Students Graduate from the 2020 Cohort of the State of New Jersey Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program

The New Jersey Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program, administered by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission (CSC) and delivered by Rutgers University–Newark's School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), had 126 students graduate in 2020. Even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, graduates surpassed expectations and their "Commitment to Public Service," which was also the theme for this year's cohort. From first responders, to municipal leaders, county managers, and state government staff, all graduates had to face unprecedented journeys.

"Despite these challenges, my fellow graduates, you have persevered and completed this rigorous program with flying colors," said Deirdré L. Webster Cobb, Esq., chair/chief executive officer of the State of New Jersey Civil Service Commission. "I applaud you for all the hard work you have done and the sacrifices you have made. You set a goal and stuck to it, no matter the circumstances. In the face of challenges, you had to adjust, which no one who has previously completed this program has ever seen before. You were able to do this because of your commitment to public service."

While a traditional ceremony could not be conducted, official remarks and salutations were part of the 2020 CPM Graduation Program. School of Public Affairs and Administration Dean Charles Menifield called upon the graduates to “use this milestone as a stepping stone for those coming afterward as a beacon of hope.” He said, "First if you have not done so, create a vision for yourself along with a plan for achieving that vision. Second, we live in a world where 'me

first' is the dominant attitude. However, if we are to be successful, we need those around us to be successful. So, please consider others before self. Third, trust and respect your subordinates. Fourth, you will be called upon to make some tough decisions throughout your career. So, make the hard decisions and learn from any mistakes that you make along the way. Last, set high ethical standards and expectations and live up to them yourself."

LaVida Stalsworth, CPM director for the State of NJ, congratulated the 2020 graduates by remarking that "You are now a Certified Public Manager, and I trust you will continue to demonstrate the unique qualities of dedicated and noble public servants." Jane Sharp, CPM director for Rutgers SPAA, highlighted the collaboration between SPAA and the Civil Service Commission and the dedication of the faculty who bring the curriculum to life.

This year's George C. Askew Award was presented to Chantannette C. Ketelaar, sergeant at the Ocean County Department of Corrections Custody Division. Her capstone, "Corrections Crisis Response Team, CCRT," focused on developing a support team to proactively provide services and resources to officers at risk or in crisis. The George C. Askew Award was created by the American Academy of Certified Public Managers (AACPM) to nationally recognize the efforts of individuals who have demonstrated exemplary work in the completion of their capstone projects.

For more information on the CPM program, visit spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/cpm

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTRATION (SPAA) RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY 111 WASHINGTON STREET NEWARK, NJ 07102

RUTGERS SPAANEWS is published by Rutgers SPAA Communications in the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers University–Newark. Story ideas, news, and comments are welcome.

For more news, visit spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/newsroom