Celebrating Rutgers SPAA's 15th Anniversary & RU-N's 75th
2021 Marks SPAA's 15th Year as a School at Rutgers University–Newark | #SPAA15
The School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) at Rutgers University–Newark was established in 2006 after providing doctoral and master’s public administration education for over 30 years as a department. In recognition of the 15th anniversary of the founding of the School of Public Affairs and Administration – as well as the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Rutgers University–Newark – SPAA is hosting several events throughout 2021 highlighting our faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
Read more about Our Proud History, including our recently celebrated 10 years of the undergraduate program at SPAA.
FEBRUARY 18, 2021 – 6-7pm
Celebrating Black History Month with SPAA Faculty
In celebration of Black History Month, and to help mark the 15th anniversary of the school, Rutgers SPAA hosted a panel to facilitate a candid conversation with SPAA faculty and hear each individual’s reflections on a career in public administration as a person of color.
Panelists:
- Cleopatra Charles, PhD - Associate Professor
- Diane Hill, PhD - Assistant Professor of Professional Practice; Assistant Chancellor of RU-N
- Charles Menifield, PhD - Dean
Moderator:
- Wendy Nicholson, MPA - SPAA Doctoral Student
Event Recap & Recording:
MARCH 3, 2021 – 12-1pm
SPAA Alumni: Full Circle Journey for SPAA Employees
Rutgers SPAA presented a conversation with several members of the school's faculty and staff on coming full circle from being SPAA students to their employment at SPAA. As part of the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the school and the 75th anniversary of Rutgers University–Newark, participants discussed their motivations for selecting public administration as a career and SPAA as their platform.
Panelists:
- Domonic Bearfield (PhD’04) - Associate Professor
- Michael Dillard (MPA’10) - Assistant Teaching Professor
- Madelene Perez (MPA’09) - Associate Dean for Finance and Administration
- Jane Sharp (MPA’10) - Director of NJ Certified Public Manager Program
- Elijah Smith (BA’14) - Director of RU-N Debate Team
- Sharon Stroye (MPA’06) - Director of Public Engagement
- Lois Warner (PhD’07) - Assistant Teaching Professor
Moderators:
- Meril Antony, MPA and Kareem Willis, MPA - SPAA Doctoral Candidates
Event Recap & Recording:
MARCH 24, 2021 – 6-7pm
Celebrating Women's History with SPAA Faculty
In recognition of Women's History Month, the 15th anniversary of the School of Public Affairs and Administration, and the 75th anniversary of Rutgers University–Newark, SPAA faculty and students had a discussion around the topic of "Women in Power Positions: 2021 - Is the Glass Ceiling Breaking?"
Panelists:
- Ariane Chebel d'Appollonia, PhD - Professor
- Lindsey McDougle, PhD - Associate Professor
- Stephanie Newbold, PhD - Associate Professor
Moderators:
- Monica Bastos and Evawero French - MPA Students and SPAA Ambassadors
Event Recap & Recording:
APRIL 7, 2021 – 5-6pm
SPAA Turning 15: Past, Present, and Future
As part of the celebration of Rutgers SPAA’s 15th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of Rutgers University–Newark, some of the most senior faculty at the School of Public Affairs and Administration shared their reflections of SPAA from before and after it became the sixth school at RU-N in 2006.
Panelists:
- Kyle Farmbry, PhD - Professor; Former Dean, Graduate School-Newark
- Suzanne Piotrowski, PhD - Associate Professor; Director, Transparency and Governance Center
- Norma Riccuci, PhD - Board of Governors Distinguished Professor
Closing Remarks:
- Charles E. Menifield, PhD - Dean, Rutgers SPAA
Moderator:
- Dylan Terpstra - BA Student; SGA President
Event Recap & Recording:
APRIL 10, 2021 – 1-230pm
Human Resources and The Future of Work
SPAA alumni who serve as leaders in their organizations discuss human resources post-COVID-19 as part of the celebration of Rutgers SPAA’s 15th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of Rutgers University–Newark.
Panelists:
- Marsha Acheampong (MPA'17) - Youth Program Director, City of Newark
- Ashley Alvarez (BA'16) - Human Resources Specialist, University Hospital
- Natasha Hemmings (MPA'16) - Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey
- Catherine Plymel (MPA'17) - Chief Operating Officer, Boys & Girls Club of Newark
Moderator:
- Michael Dillard, EdD (MPA'10) - Assistant Teaching Professor
Event Recap & Recording:
OCTOBER 7, 2021 – 6-7pm
Creating a Pipeline of Hispanic/Latinx Leaders in Nonprofit Organizations
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the 15th anniversary of SPAA, and the 75th anniversary of Rutgers University–Newark, SPAA hosted a panel to discuss the importance of diverse representation for leaders in the nonprofit sector.
Panelists:
- Leonor Camarena, PhD - Assistant Professor, Rutgers SPAA
- Victoria Fernandez (MPA'12) - Acting Executive Director, Rutgers Institute for Ethical Leadership (IEL); Co-founder, The Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective
- Carlos Valentin Jr. (BA'13) - Executive Director, ASPIRA Inc., of New Jersey
Moderator:
- Anna Agbotse (BA'20) - SPAA MPA Student
Event Recap & Recording:
OCTOBER 14, 2021 – 6-7pm
RUN75: The Black Organization of Students Alumni Association presents “Born This Way: The Origin Story of Rutgers University–Newark”
A discussion of Rutgers-Newark as an institution and community originating from the life and history of Newark as part of the celebration of Rutgers SPAA’s 15th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of Rutgers University–Newark.
Speaker:
- Quintus Jett, PhD - Author of “The Legacy of an Anchor Institution: Reclaiming the University of Newark”
Moderator:
- Sharon Stroye (MPA'06) - Director of Public Engagement, Rutgers SPAA
DECEMBER 9, 2021 – TBD
A Celebration of Rutgers SPAA's 15 Years
A celebration of Rutgers SPAA’s 15th anniversary and the 75th anniversary of Rutgers University–Newark to end the year.
Speaker:
- Shante Palmer (EMPA’14) - Vice Chancellor for External and Government Relations, Rutgers University–Newark