SPAA Students Explore Roles as Future Public Leaders Through Spring 2025 Mayors Speakers Series
BY SPAA STAFF
Through the Spring 2025 Mayor Speaker Series, designed and coordinated by Dr. Michael Dillard, assistant teaching professor and director of the BA program at Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), students had the rare opportunity to learn about local government, civic engagement, and various career paths in public service directly from New Jersey mayors throughout this past semester. Linden Mayor Derek Armstead (Jan. 30), East Orange Mayor Ted Green (Feb. 17), and South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum (April 10) spoke with and encouraged undergraduate students about their public administration journeys, giving students a look into real-world experiences and opportunities as future public administrators.
"This unique approach complements our theory-to-practice approach while also creating internship opportunities in local government for our students," said Dr. Dillard. "Our students walked away gaining a better understanding of their roles as future leaders but also their responsibility to become more active citizens in their community."
Spring 2025 Mayor Speaker Series –
More info/View Recordings:Linden Mayor Derek Armstead >
East Orange Mayor Ted Green >
South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum >
Events like the SPAA Mayor Speaker Series play a vital role in connecting students studying public and nonprofit administration with experienced leaders in local government. These engagements provide invaluable insights into the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to serve the public interest effectively. Students can ask questions, learn about the day-to-day responsibilities of public sector roles, and explore potential career paths. By bridging the gap between academic study and real-world practice, these events help students develop a clearer vision of the profession they are preparing to enter.
"Interacting directly with local government leaders can inspire students to pursue leadership roles themselves, fostering the next generation of public servants," said Dr. Lois Warner (PhD'07), associate teaching professor at SPAA. "These discussions also benefit faculty by informing curriculum development, ensuring that coursework and learning activities align with the evolving needs of the field." She added: "Strong partnerships between academic programs and local government are essential for effective governance."
Intahsan Chowdhury (BA‘17; MPA‘19) said serving as a co-moderator with Dr. Dillard for the speaker series was both a homecoming and a humbling reminder of how far the Rutgers SPAA BA program has taken him. "As a proud alumnus and now an award-winning municipal manager and local government innovator, I credit much of my success to the academic foundation, professional rigor, and personal growth I experienced at SPAA," he said. "The opportunity to engage with transformative leaders like Mayor Sheena Collum of South Orange, Mayor Ted Green of East Orange, and Mayor Derek Armstead of Linden was not only inspiring — it was energizing. Each brought a unique perspective to governance: from bold innovation to deep community engagement and institutional resilience.
"These conversations were powerful reminders of the real-time impact of local leadership. Moderating this series felt like a full-circle moment, affirming SPAA’s mission to prepare leaders who not only understand public service but are prepared to shape it," Chowdhury added. "I’m honored to have played a role in bridging classroom insight with real-world leadership, and I look forward to seeing how future SPAA students continue to rise and lead.”
LeAnne White, a BA student graduating this May, serves as a confidential aide to Linden Mayor Derek Armstead and shared her experiences during the January talk. "I realized [from this] that people need to hear [about my experiences] because it could potentially encourage someone else who is in a similar role or someone who is interested in working in government or getting involved in politics," she said. Reflecting on her academic experience at SPAA, she said the BA program "has prepared me academically, professionally, and personally to advance in my career in public administration. The knowledge and tools that I’ve learned gained during my time in the BA program will allow me to explore different positions and have a positive impact in the world of public service."
Spring 2025 Mayor Speaker Series: Linden Mayor Derek Armstead
Spring 2025 Mayor Speaker Series: East Orange Mayor Ted Green
Spring 2025 Mayor Speaker Series: South Orange Mayor Sheena Cullum