Vol. 23 Fall 2020 Public SPAAce A Newsletter for Friends of the Western Michigan University School of Public Affairs and Administration In this volume: School of Public Affairs and Administration Message from the SPAA Director 2 College of Arts and Sciences 220E Walwood Hall 2020 SPAA Outstanding Alumni 3 Kalamazoo, MI 49008 www.wmich.edu/spaa Academic Programs Update 4 Mission: The School of Public Affairs and SPAA Public Service Engagement Series 5 Administration is committed to improving the quality of public and nonprofit service. In a Guest Speakers 6 diverse and inclusive community, the mission of the School of Public Affairs and Administrations is to provide learning and discovery opportunities Student and Alumni News 7 which advance the knowledge and use of professional ethics, best theories, policies, and Faculty Updates 14 practices for public and nonprofit organizations in order to create and support societies for Donor Acknowledgement 16 respect, liberty, justice and equality. 1 Message from the SPAA Director uncertainty caused by the pandemic has led many prospective What a year it has been for the students contemplating graduate studies to postpone their plans world and the human race until greater normalcy. overall! The Covid-19 pandemic has turned things upside down The global havoc caused by the pandemic has only elevated globally, causing a major blow relevance of the kind of education the School provides, focusing to the lifestyle that all of us have on improving the quality of public service. As the pandemic has grown accustomed to. The way taken an enormous toll on people’s lives and livelihoods at a we go out, carryout our lives scale unparalleled in our recent memory, governments around every day, interact with each the world are pouring resources to minimize its impact. No other, and work has changed. doubt, the pandemic has brought to light the social and This change has had enormous economic inequality ingrained in society throughout generations implications for businesses and even increasing over time as the poor and vulnerable are across many sectors of the economy from tourism, travel, and having to sacrifice the most. But the health risks associated with entertainment to retail, health care, and social services. Covid-19 have once again elevated the role of governments in advancing medical research as well as introducing and enforcing Education is one of the many sectors directly impacted by the policies to alter the behavior of citizens in ways not witnessed in pandemic. The tactical move of all in-person classes to online the recent past. Nowhere has its impact been more significant in learning as a short-term fix over the last spring has emerged as making the case that universal health coverage must be the top the mainstay of educational delivery now. Given the history of priority to protect everyone from imminent health risks. using remote learning and online modes of delivery for decades, higher education has adapted to this evolving environment with It is this newfound universal context in which we are sharing minimal disruption. But nowhere has this transformation been this Fall 2020 edition of Public SPAAce. It highlights the quicker than in delivering professional programs like in public School’s major activities and accomplishments from last year. administration and policy, where many professional students On a programmatic note, the School has just started the much- have welcomed the move to online delivery. awaited Bachelor of Science program in Public and Nonprofit Administration, with separate minors in Public Administration Such has also been the case with the programs at our School. and Nonprofit Administration. While the enrollment during its Whereas many courses in the Master of Public Administration first year is low (seven currently, with 40 between the UG major program were already offered partly online, the move to almost and minors) owing in part to its launch in the middle of the 100 percent online delivery has been relatively seamless. All of pandemic, we expect this professionally-oriented, liberal arts the teaching and learning activities, including class discussions, degree program to generate significant interest whether as the presentations, and projects, have moved online, some sole major or as a second major. synchronously and others with a combination of asynchronous activities. But this move has also applied to the Bachelor of In the year 2019/20 ending in spring, the MPA program Science program in Public and Nonprofit Administration, which graduated 31 students and admitted 26 students. More currently, the School has launched this fall. a total of 33 students were admitted into the program during the 2020 cycle ending this fall, with close to 100 students currently Yet, there are challenges. The enormous preparation that needs active. The Ph.D. program has not had any new students in the to be done at the front end of course delivery and the need to past two annual admission cycles following the decision to move to a very different pedagogical practice has taken a major entirely hold its admission. At this point, the future of this toll on faculty workload and research productivity. Students program remains uncertain given major resource limitations that accustomed to an in-person learning environment have struggled have been further accelerated due to the pandemic. with the online mode where one’s confidence in using technological know-how makes a major difference. While the On a separate note, I would like to congratulate Dr. Robert evolving technology seeks to replicate major components of Peters on his retirement! While we have lost a dedicated faculty, interactive learning, limitations apply to many important aspects the many positive impacts he has left on the School and its of social learning including professional networking and programs and larger community are there to stay. informal support systems. Feeling technologically challenged, With best regards, many students have also opted to sit out certain semesters, delaying their graduation entirely. Some of our professional Udaya R. Wagle, Ph.D. students have also faced layoffs and terminations in their career, Professor and Director, School of Public Affairs and with a deep level of anxiety in life and academic plans. The Administration 2 2020 SPAA Outstanding Alumni Award Congratulations to Robert Lewis Trezise, Jr. (MPA ’94) Bob is a strategic thinker with an impeccable record of for winning the 2020 SPAA Outstanding Alumni Award! follow-throughs in the area of economic development, This award was presented at an award ceremony held growth, and vitality in Michigan. An anonymous over Webex on October 30, where he also nominator put his expertise and impact received the Alumni Achievement Award succinctly: “Bob has been and continues to be a from the College of Arts and Sciences. vocal advocate for regional cooperation and What follows is the text from his development. He perceives the “big picture” nomination, highlighting his impressive clearly and pursues them…Bob is a proponent of professional records and accomplishments. public-private partnerships, and his accomplishments show that he knows how to Mr. Robert (Bob) Trezise, Jr., received a implement them.” Master of Public Administration degree from WMU in 1994. Bob is also a graduate His many accomplishments have been of James Madison College at Michigan recognized with local, national, and international State University. awards, including from the Capital Area Michigan Works!, Michigan Economic Developer’s He began his career as an economic development Association, Economic Consultant Connect, and coordinator with the Delta Township in Michigan. International Economic Development Council. Having gained in-depth insights and experience in the areas of economic development, Bob went on to serve as He currently serves on the boards of a variety of the vice president of Lansing Area Chamber of organizations, including Capital Area Michigan Works!, Commerce (1999-2001), Managing Director of the Collaborative Development Council (CDC), Downtown Community Assistance Team at Michigan Economic Lansing Revitalization Blue Ribbon Committee, Lansing Development Corporation (MDEC, 2001-2006), and Community Foundation, Arts Council of Greater President and Chief Executive Officer of Lansing Lansing, Michigan Economic Developers Association, Economic Development Corporation (LEDC, 2006- WKAR TV and Radio Community, Lansing State Journal 2011), before leading the Lansing Economic Area Editorial Advisory Council, Lansing Rotary Club, Partnership (LEAP) as its President and CEO in 2011. Downtown Lansing Inc., and Michigan State University James Madison College Board of Visitors. He is also a Among the most impactful accomplishments of Mr. published poet. Trezise’s while at MDEC included developing downtown projects from Detroit and Grand Rapids to Marquette Bob embraces the mission of the School of Public Affairs and Traverse City, creating and managing strategic plans and Administration—improving the quality of public and and blueprints for many Michigan communities, and nonprofit service—and demonstrates an unwavering managing programs under the Community Development commitment to the School’s core public service values— Block Grant and other initiatives. His tenure at the the common good, democratic governance and liberty, LEDC included managing over $800 million in private ethical leadership, decision-making and administrative sector projects creating