Volume 30 • Winter 2010 The business of the public sector

he public sector is changing fast. Transparency and survey also reported that such coursework had increased T accountability are demanded everyplace, at the same dramatically in the last few years. T time the need for more services is rising against a background of deep budget cuts. Professional, adaptable, knowl- Nonprofit-focused graduate programs exist in over 100 schools edgeable leadership and management are imperative to meet in the United States. A variety of degree programs are now such challenges. Is a different set of leadership qualifications offered, including masters of public administration, public needed in this new environment to ensure the health and viability policy and social work. of the public sector? According to one headhunter, job-seekers with these degrees Historically, most nonprofit organizations were created by are increasingly attractive to public service groups. Laura people driven by a mission: feed children, provide health care, Gassner Otting, founder of the executive search firm Nonprofit teach English to immigrants, protect the environment, foster Professionals Advisory Group, said in an online MBA recruit- appreciation for arts. Business savvy and degrees in manage- ment platform, (CareerMee.com): “Nonprofits are focused now ment were not common among the pioneers, leaders or staff more than ever on recruiting candidates with demonstrated members. While this still holds true in the majority of nonprofit experience and skills in accountability, earned income revenue agencies, a growing pattern is apparent where employers and generation, traditional fund-raising, and mergers/consolida- agencies look for higher education in management skills. tions/collaborations.” An earlier study by CompassPoint and the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation found that nonprofit One way to see this pattern is in the increase in educational executives were placing new value on strategic planning, institutions offering nonprofit management courses. A 2008 entrepreneurial concepts, and business-development skills, survey of business schools by the Aspen Institute, itself a non- because many such executives do not have senior staff in profit dedicated to fostering enlightened leadership, found that charge of finance or development. over 30 percent of 112 schools of management surveyed offered concentrations on social and environmental issues. The Continued on page three

Public Service graduate in coveted post Since August, Jenny Alcaide, who was a 2009 Public Service Scholar, has been interning in the Office of Management and Administration at the White House. She received this placement as a fellow of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. She is one of 16 in the country.

Jenny is thrilled with the opportunity. “Quite honestly, my experiences over the past couple of months have been the most exciting I have encountered,” she said in an interview. “The excitement and stimulation of living in the nation’s capital, participating in the Washington political buzz, and riding the Metro to work has been incredible.”

Her responsibilities include organizing press events and conducting research on policy projects. She recently attended a series of events where people at the level of the White House press secretary and its communications director, as well as the First Lady, Michelle Obama, addressed the interns. Jenny said: “Being a White House intern has provided me with the unique opportunity to gain valuable professional experience and build leadership skills.” She looks forward to making the most of her remaining time in Washington and using her new skills to build a career in public service. A view from the director’s chair by Elaine M. Walsh, Ph.D.

wenty-three bright, talented Our program has not been exempt On a sad note, our program mourns T and motivated undergradu- from the impact of the economic the recent loss of Betty Fox who was a Mates form this year’s cohort crisis. We remain committed to build- strong advocate and supporter of of scholars. They follow in the foot- ing a cadre of leaders able to tackle public service. She had a long history steps of over 500 scholar alumni, current issues and improve the public with Hunter. She graduated from most of whom are reaching their sector. At the same time, we must Hunter High School and Hunter career ambitions in public service. struggle even harder to ensure the College. From 1966-69 she was the Alumni make invaluable contributions continuation of our incubator for college’s alumni president. She con- to the Public Service Scholar Program tomorrow’s leadership. Adjunct pro- tinued her involvement with the as mentors, placement supervisors, fessors who teach our seminars, for college, always seeking ways for the guest speakers and donors. I am the first time in the program’s history, alumni to mentor college students. always so proud to hear of their are no longer compensated through Finally in 1987, she was able to initiate accomplishments and am confident the college. This added expense of a mentorship program with the PSSP. that this year’s cohort will carry ahead $10,000 strains our budget and makes Twenty years later, the PSSP is proud this tradition of career success. donations that more critical. to continue with the mentoring program and the concept has been adopted by Details of scholar placements are on It is my hope that as you read this the college. We will remember her pages four and five. The opportunity issue and learn about and celebrate many contributions to public service to work in government offices and current scholar work and alumni and will miss her vision. public and nonprofit agencies signifi- success, your commitment will be cantly benefits the career develop- strengthened. Your support makes a ment of our scholars. They see from difference, just as each one of our the trenches the impact of the weak scholars is making a difference in the economy on the mission and purpose functioning of our communities. Thank of these organizations and with you for caring. their problem-solving skills, tackle these challenges. Public Service Scholar Program

dedicated to OUR missioN

The Public Service Scholar Program, a leadership program, seeks to improve our cities and the lives of people by preparing talented undergraduates for careers in the public and nonprofit sectors. Housed in the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning at , the 18-credit, full academic year program gives these students, especially women and minority- group members, an opportunity to explore public service through internships in government agencies, legislative offices and nonprofit organizations. Scholars participate in academic seminars on city government and public policy. The PSSP receives external funds to support the program, including funding for stipends for our scholars. Without this help, our students could not participate.

2 The business of the public sector Continued from front cover

A new group of degree professionals is increasing its presence in as opposed to a profit/loss system in the business world. He public service. According to a recent study by the Association of also commented that MBAs tend to believe in the reduction of MBAs, an authority on postgraduate business education, more expenses and disinvestment in employee qualifications as a MBAs are pursuing careers with nonprofit groups than the way to combat tough economic times. To the contrary, Mr. previous year. Some educational institutions are also catering Moses highlighted the importance of retaining qualified, talented to MBA candidates who hope for public service careers. Net employees as critical to the nature of nonprofits, especially in Impact, a nonprofit that helps business students use their skills an economic downturn when service demand is increased. for social purpose, recently published a survey, “Business as UNusual.” It outlines approximately 40 business school Commenting on the trend, Otting of the Nonprofit Professionals programs that incorporate a socially focused curriculum into Advisory Group said: “MBAs are worthwhile in the nonprofit their MBA. sector for the nonprofits that find MBAs worthwhile. That’s the same as it’s always been. MBAs who try to shoehorn The qualifications of an MBA are attractive to some public themselves into nonprofits who haven’t adopted business service leaders. MBA programs teach candidates to lead, to thinking, who aren’t interested in data-driven decisions, who manage and to use available resources to deliver results. rely solely on government money, will not succeed now, just as Financial management and analysis are key skills and can be they wouldn’t succeed in the past.” seen as valuable in the public sector too. Kevin Bolduc is vice president of assessment tools at the Center for Effective Differences exist between the private and public sector, chiefly Philanthropy. In an article on Guidestar.org he said: “More and the issue of total income. An organization’s adoption of a more nonprofit opportunities are opening up to MBA’s, largely business model can have adverse affects on its operations and because of the growth of the social entrepreneurship field. may have consequences that undermine its mission and values. MBA skill sets are more relevant than ever. Looking at social In a 2004 issue of The International Journal of Not-For-Profit problems through an analytical lens is becoming the norm for Law, an article by Bill Landsberg describes side effects of public nonprofits, particularly as foundations and nonprofits hold agencies’ adopting business models. For example, Landsberg themselves more accountable for producing quantifiable says, the organization’s public image can suffer, diminishing results. MBA’s bring a complementary skill set to those taking donations. If donors begin to see an agency as a for-profit more traditional paths into the sector, and together these skills instead of as a charity, they may withdraw support. build a stronger and more accountable social sector.” Further, staff members hired for business education can have a Others, like Miriam Burns, formerly senior policy analyst with thinner emotional connection to the mission and create a rift the Council, now a consultant, see dangers in between themselves as financially driven and the mission merging heavy business practices into the public sector. She driven. This can be especially detrimental if business-oriented recently said in an interview: “It is my observation…that there people predominate. Staff morale can suffer and lead to poor is a trend toward the hiring of MBA’s to lead social service service delivery and higher turn-over. These consequences may agencies. There is a myth attached to this trend that assumes a jeopardize the integrity of the organization’s mission. greater amount of business methods will serve to professionalize the operations. As far as I can determine this leads to assess- Assessments of MBA professionals in public service are still ment of program success based on the bottom line.” She limited and time will tell if this group stays in the public service continues, “I think if MBA’s are to be employed, it should be in sector. For now, Net Impact reports that only 6 percent of MBA support areas rather than in any policy-making role. They often graduates plan to pursue careers in the social sector. do not always understand the rationale for policy decisions and tend to underplay the importance of policy to the clients served Those involved in public agencies must understand the impact by the agency.” of incorporating business focused management into their infrastructure. The public sector’s cultural relevance in meeting C. Warren Moses, recently retired chief executive officer of The the needs of society is incomparable and should not be placed Children’s Aid Society in New York City, agrees with Ms. Burns. at risk of evolving into the for-profit sector. As Burns says, He told the PSSP: “We have to add these professionals into “There is a real danger that the result is that the social service public service with care and caution.” He continued, “While agency loses sight of its mission in an attempt to make more MBAs bring needed skills that help us run our agencies in money, where that is possible, particularly in areas like home increasingly complex environments, very few are trained in the care. It can also result in eliminating programs that may drain financing of nonprofits which are distinctly different from the coffers but that provide needed services. Eliminating for-profits.” For example, Mr. Moses noted the difference in administrators with a commitment to service can kill the soul of accounting rules- nonprofits follow a fund accounting method the agency.”

3 2010 Scholar placementS

hallenging assignments, exposure to influential C leaders, and invaluable work experience are the M key elements that scholars are seeking when they choose their year-long placements. They are seldom disappointed. This year’s 23 scholars were matched with seven public agencies, six nonprofit organizations and the offices of six elected officials. The partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation continued with five scholars. Here are details of their work assignments. Public Service Scholars Class of 2010

Mariya Abrosikova is placed with the responsibilities include participating in potential volunteers, plans events for board Administration for Children’s Services in upper-level bi-weekly conference calls, member recruitment and works on the the child care and Head Start program. tracking supporter contact information, agency’s new web-based volunteer/board Mariya analyzes federal and state collecting petitions from residents of matching program. legislation affecting these areas. She also Housing Authority homes, attending press researches the best practices in adminis- conferences, and organizing, participating tering these programs at the state and and reporting on rallies. national level, represents Children’s Services at policy briefings and forums Guy Brooks is at the division of natural held by community and advocacy organiza- resources of the New York State Department tions, participates in monthly meetings of Environmental Conservation. Guy is with other city agencies, and is helping focusing on a long-term evaluation of the to revise agency child care procedures. species and habitat conservation needs in watersheds from the Lower Hudson/Long Emily Allen is in City Council Member Gale Island Basin to the Atlantic Ocean. Guy will A. Brewer’s office. Council Member Brewer also work on the water quality component represents the Sixth District on the West of a project called PlaNYC. Under this PSSP Scholar Victoria Chan Side of . Emily attends legisla- project, created by Mayor Bloomberg in tive hearings, drafts correspondence 2007 to insure the city’s sustainability, Caroline Contillo is another Scholar now with constituents and prepares communi- Guy is evaluating ways to reduce deg- at the New York State Department of cations for the councilmember. radation of rivers and bays when surges Environmental Conservation. She is in the from storms carry in pollutants. division of solid and hazardous materials. Manuel Andino works in the office of Her task is mapping the city’s historical Assembly Member Brian Kavanagh of Kerryanne Burke is at the New York City landfill areas by verifying the data in District 74, on the Lower East Side of Department of Education, in the students current GIS (geographic information system) Manhattan. Manuel works on a new campaign in temporary housing unit. Kerryanne works maps and comparing them to historic maps to safeguard money for the New York to ensure that the educational rights of of New York City. She attends inspections City Housing Authority called Save Our homeless students are met, as guaranteed and meetings involving solid and hazard- Underfunded NYCHA Developments, known by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless ous wastes. as SOUND. It is targeting both city and Assistance Act. Because of recent changes state allocations to the authority. Manuel’s in this legislation, Kerryanne is focused on helping department members and shelter staff carry out this law by training them to understand student educational rights, creating a brochure and video, and participating in visits to homeless shelters.

Victoria Chan is at United Way of New York City, in the community investment division. She supports a recently expanded program to strengthen city nonprofits by developing stronger boards through PSSP Scholar Caroline Contillo recruitment, training and workshops. She PSSP Scholar Manuel Andino researches and rates applications from Continued on next page

4 Shane Correia is in the Department of mentary that highlights experiences of Emily Mottahedeh has a post in the Homeless Services, where he acts as a prisoners charged under the original Office of Children and Family Services as liaison person for students and staff in Rockefeller laws. Kirsten is interviewing an assistant to the director of the New York the Advantage Academy, a project the prisoners and creating awareness of the City Regional Office. She monitors the department runs in partnership with changes in the laws among public defend- performance and evaluates programs at St. John’s University. It provides homeless ers. She also supports the organiza- child welfare agencies, reviewing patient adults with help in earning associates’ tion’s education and outreach committee files, incident reports, and recreational and degrees. He is also writing a grant to seek to create a high school curriculum plan daily logs. She attends conferences, funding for the academy and is helping with on the state prison system. She recently participates in planning meetings with the 2010 Homeless Outreach Population organized a petition drive calling on regional managers and observes panels on Estimate (HOPE). Shane will focus on state legislators to invest in communities permanency and adoption. integrating the religious community’s role not prisons. in assisting homeless people. Renee Muza is at the Sexuality Information Jean Fischman works in the office of Education Center of the United States Martha Demos works in the office of State Assembly Member Micah Kellner of District (SIECUS), working in the information Senator Eric Schneiderman, who repre- 65, which includes the Upper East Side of and communications department. Renee’s sents District 31 in Northern Manhattan Manhattan and Roosevelt Island. Jean is responsibilities include researching and and the Bronx. Martha is focusing on a completing original research and drafting writing community action update reports year-long project to make bicycling a safer a report on black-car and livery service for the organization website. These involve mode of transportation as part of efforts to compliance with accessibility laws. She also controversial material about sexuality reduce fuel emissions in the city. She drafts press releases and participates in education in schools, such as condom is assessing the needs of the biking community board health and senior distribution or pregnancy tests. Renee is community in Northern Manhattan, for services committees. She testified on also cataloguing the organization’s library, example, more protected bike lanes. Martha behalf of the assemblymember on the Kill updating bibliographies, and attending is gleaning opinions about bicycling from the Drill campaign which calls for a ban conferences and training sessions. other key parts of the district stakeholders, on natural gas drilling in New York City’s such as the Department of Transportation watershed. James Olimpieri is placed at the New and community groups. She seeks to build York State Department of Environmental relationships with these groups and April Harris works in the office of Conservation in the department of permits. organize events advocating biking. Representative Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 15th Congressional District Lauren Derosa is at the New York State in Washington. His district covers Upper Department of Environmental Conservation, Manhattan, Harlem and parts of the Upper in the office of natural resources. Lauren West Side. Her work is focused on preparing carries on the project of last year’s scholar, for the 2010 U.S. Census. She is educating seeking public views on deer presence on community organizations about the Staten Island. Lauren’s responsibilities Census and encouraging them to mobilize include analyzing survey results and their neighborhoods to participate. Her academic research to develop options for other major focus is on immigration reform. deer management. She also participates in April attends and reports on meetings of field visits to examine habitats or wildlife. immigration-reform advocacy groups. PSSP Scholar James Olimpieri Additionally, she drafts correspondence and Dana DeStefano has a placement in the interprets for Spanish speaking constituents. He is working on the Sea Level Rise Task Department of Youth and Community Force’s community resilience committee on Development in the vulnerable and special Jessica Luckett is at the office of State a report commissioned by the state about needs youth division. Dana works in the Senator Liz Krueger, who represents District protection measures for New York’s coastal youth connect unit, a free and confidential 26 on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. ecosystems, natural habitats and infra- information service to connect youth to She is organizing materials and recruiting structure. He is responsible for learning jobs, after-school programs and training high school students for the Youth Civics about and describing views of community opportunities. Her focus is on ensuring Project, which encourages involvement in groups. James will also support the language accessibility for immigrants and the legislative process. She is also educat- wetland mitigation tracking and research others with limited English proficiency. ing and recruiting young people to take project, which seeks to evaluate the impact part in the East Side Housing Coalition, of all tidal wetland permits that have been Kirsten Escobar is at the Correctional which aims to protect and expand afford- issued with a special condition to mitigate Association of New York working on the able housing in this part of Manhattan. A damage and loss. Drop the Rock Coalition. She supports the major project will be to research, track organization’s newly expanded criminal and write a report on the use of federal Nathan Patterson is placed at the New justice reform platform, created in response stimulus funds in the district that benefit York State Department of Environmental to modifications in the harsh Rockefeller Senator Krueger’s constituents. drug laws. She is working on an audio docu- Continued on page seven

5 ALUMNI in action

Wendy Cortes ‘90 Wendy Cortes is improving the lives of young people in 1999. She earned a master’s degree in Public Administration the city as a high school teacher in one of the city’ most at California State University-Northridge and began working economically depressed areas, the South Bronx. She loves her for the City of Beverly Hills for six years, first as the job and made a significant career change to get here. Communications, Marketing and Human Relations Assistant and later promoted to Financial and Budget Analyst. With Wendy committed herself relevant educational and work experience, Lisa felt ready for to a career in public service the Peace Corps. Her Guatemala assignment proved a greater upon graduation. After a experience than she imagined. She redesigned a civic year as a caseworker at a education workshop focused on teaching 900 junior high foster care agency, she school students about democracy, human rights and public earned a law degree from policy development. She initiated improvements such as Cornell Law School. She upgrading the municipal library. She conducted community undertook both public-in- meetings in villages around San Raymundo about Guatemalan terest and private law work laws that require village residents to organize themselves. for 14 years. Realizing she Lisa performed all her work in Spanish. wanted a more direct role in nurturing children, she shifted again and became an educator. She received her master’s in secondary social studies education from Teachers College, , and is PSSP Alumnus Wendy Cortes now teaching law and history to high school students. Wendy says, “It’s definitely a chal- lenge meeting the educational needs of a diverse population of kids. It’s also interesting seeing first-hand the multiple demands placed on teachers by our highly politicized educa- tional system.”

Wendy credits the PSSP as influencing her career decisions. “From the courses and my placement,” she said, “I learned PSSP Alumnus Lisa Ann Convery, left, about the intricate web of government, private, and non-profit with Guatemalan students from her civic education class relationships that make the provision of services to New Yorkers possible.” Wendy remembers “feeling proud that I had Of the PSSP, Lisa said: “The program sparked my passion for prominent New Yorkers as my PSSP instructors.” “Having public service. In less than two years after completing the pro- powerful women in the classroom such as Ruth Messenger, gram, I began not only working for city government but also former City Council Member and Manhattan Borough studying public administration to further develop the technical President,” she continued, “helped me gain a deeper sense of skills needed to identify public problems and develop public my own potential and power to impact my community.” policy solutions. The PSSP has influenced me to strive to reach my potential so that I can better serve communities in need!”

Lisa Ann Convery ‘98 In November, Lisa Ann Convery returned to New York City Eleonora Demetrio ‘06 after spending 27 months in San Raymundo, Guatemala, as a Eleonora Demetrio is a program coordinator with an impor- Peace Corps municipal development advisor. As an undergrad- tant Hunter College initiative called the Liberty Partnership uate at Hunter College, Lisa was determined to join the Peace Program. She is in this position today because of experience Corps. She accomplished that seven years after graduating and skills gained as a scholar; she could not be more grateful. and gaining valuable work and educational experience in “The program prepared me for the world of social services public service. while building in me confidence and trust in my abilities,” Eleonora said. Lisa moved to Los Angeles after graduating with a Hunter bachelor’s degree in Economics and Urban Studies in August Continued on next page

6 Volunteer for Eleonora remembers feeling attracted to the Public Service Scholar Program at an informational session conducted by Professor Walsh. “Echoing in Hunter College’s auditorium,” she recalled, “was the voice of a woman who, with her passion and confidence, explained the program and what she believed in: each New York City needs 3,000 and every scholar and the PSSP. I decided volunteers for its eighth annual to apply to become a scholar.” Homeless Outreach Population Estimate, HOPE 2010, a survey to calculate how many people are living Because of her year in the PSSP, Eleonora on New York City streets, parks knew her path would be in public service. and other public spaces. Interested? After graduation, she earned her Here are the details. master’s in social work at Columbia University School of Social Work. Shortly Date and time: after, she accepted a position with January 25, 2010, the Liberty Partnership, which helps from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. low-achieving junior high school Details and registration: students improve their chances of Visit nyc.gov/dhs and click on attending college. As a social worker the HOPE logo. assigned to the Harlem Renaissance PSSP Alumnus Eleonora Demetrio High School, she assists students with Volunteers will get a choice of sites college applications and employment for mentors. “The PSSP will always be for training and go out in teams to a opportunities, holds workshops for important,” she said, “because it gives nearby area. There are 27 sites and students and parents about higher students the unique chance to attain assignment is on a first-come, first- education, and runs training sessions meaningful experience in the working world.” served basis. Early registration is more likely to get you a place that’s easy for you to get to. The PSSP welcomes the opportunity to profile our alumni. Please let us know if you would like to be included in our newsletter. Contact Professor Elaine Walsh at Join the Public Service Scholars for [email protected] or 212.772.5599. this memorable volunteer experience!

2010 scholar placements Continued from page 5

Conservation, division of solid and haz- Farrah Seeburg is at the New York businesses that produce them and ardous materials. Nathan is analyzing Women’s Foundation where she works helps businesses find incentives and tax the state of waste generation, transfer, with the program department to organize benefits. She also supports Spec It Green transport and disposal for New York City. fiscal year 2010 grant-making and public monthly events, which are educational He expects to develop a needs assess- education activities. Her responsibili- and networking events for the green ment for every waste stream in New York ties include developing an internal docu- business and the building community. City. Nathan has read over 5,000 pages ment describing the scope of activities related to solid waste. by those receiving grants and helping to Annie Su is placed at ENACT Inc., a non- prepare submissions for board meetings. profit that uses dramatic performance to Tiffany Rosa is placed at the Department teach students about social skills and life of Consumer Affairs, external affairs divi- Sanam Shetty is interning at the New lessons. Annie’s work includes creating sion. Tiffany’s focus is on the department’s York Industrial Retention Network, which a parent resource flyer listing free and response to city and state legislation. Her seeks to strengthen the city’s manufac- low-cost cultural art programs in each responsibilities include corresponding turing sector and promote sustainable borough, organizing a database for their with elected officials about constituent development. Sanam provides informa- funded program and researching the complaints under the agency’s jurisdiction, tion and services to manufacturers process of receiving grants from the City creating spreadsheets to track city legisla- through a monthly newsletter, maintains Council and State Legislature. tion, and informing staff members about the Made in NYC website, a database of relevant legislation. locally manufactured products and the

7 Holiday Celebration Scholars, friends, alumni, mentors and placement supervisors gathered on December 9th for a cup of holiday cheer to celebrate the PSSP’s 27th year!

Scholar Kerryanne Burke, left, with Department of Education Placement PSSP Mentor Betty Chase, left, with Scholar Supervisor Susana Vilardell, middle, and Scholars Caroline Contillo Emily Mottahedeh and friends Scholar Sanam Shetty and Emily Allen

Public Service Scholar Program Director Elaine M. Walsh, Ph.D. editorial board writer Kristy Jelenik Ursula Mahoney Volume 30 • Winter 2010 Designer Andrew Ross Betsy Wade Jennifer Shaffer www.hunter.cuny.edu/pssp [email protected] News & Views is supported by state grants through the generosity of New York 212.772.5599 Assembly Members Micah Z. Kellner and Deborah Glick.

Public Service PRE-SORT STANDARD Scholar Program U.S. POSTAGE Hunter College PAID 695 Park Avenue PERMIT 5432 New York, NY 10065 WHITE PLAINS, NY