Rutgers SPAA Hosts Inaugural “Public Servants of Public and Nonprofit Administration” Panel

On Feb. 25, the School of Public Affairs and Administration hosted “Public Servants of Newark,” the inaugural “Public Servants of Public and Nonprofit Administration” panel presentation. Six SPAA alumni and nonprofit leaders from Newark-based organizations spent an evening at Rutgers University–Newark discussing their careers with over 70 current students. 

The event, organized by Dr. Michael Dillard, assistant teaching professor at SPAA, was an excellent networking opportunity for the students to understand public administration as a career field. Students were intrigued to learn about the broad set of opportunities it entails, the challenges public servants face, and the rewards, as exemplified by the distinguished and diverse panel the event brought together.

The host and panelists were:

• Michael Dillard (MPA’10), Host
  Assistant Professor, SPAA

• Gloria Horton
  Director of Social Services, Broadway House for Continuing Care

• Eileen Scheets
  Director of Talent Acquisition, University Hospital-Newark

• Cathy Plymel (BA’16, MPA’17)
  Chief Operating Officer, Boys & Girls Club, Newark

• Eva Serruto
  Director of Labor Relations, University Hospital -Newark

• Ashley Alvarez (BA’16)
  Human Resources Specialist, University Hospital-Newark

• Michele Wiliers
  Chief Operating Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters