SPAAAN Election Fall 2018

Job Title: Director of Seamen’s Church Institute Port Newark

Candidate Statement:
I would like to be considered for the Presidency of the School of Public Affairs and Administration Alumni Network. I believe that my background and experience leading teams would make me an excellent candidate for the position. I have led my teams strategically to maximize efficiency and develop new systems while maintaining or increasing revenues, public awareness and impact.

I am a board member of the Young Shipping Professionals of NY, the group focuses on providing engaging and networking opportunities within the maritime industry. Along with my fellow board members we host events and dinners with industry leaders, solicit sponsorships, and provide relevant material via our social media platforms.

I am the co-chair of the Marketing and Awareness subcommittee of the Workforce Development Implementation Team. Our goal is to raise the awareness about jobs not only at the port but throughout the entire supply chain. My group has created marketing materials about the Transportation, Logistics and Distribution sector and organized career awareness and job fairs. We’ve engaged with citizens living in port communities such as Newark, Elizabeth, Bayonne and Jersey City and have increased the general knowledge about careers within the sector.

Professionally I became a Leadership Newark Fellow in 2018 completing a Civic Social Responsibility Marketing plan for a major healthcare system in New Jersey, and have recently been accepted in Lead NJ class of 2019. I know that through my experiences and professional history I have the skills and drive to reinvigorate the SPAA Alumni Network.

Job Title: Community Outreach Manager in Department of Outreach and Planning 

Candidate Statement:
I am writing to express my interest to serve as the President for the executive board of the School of Public Affairs and Administration. 

In my current role, I am the primary liaison between the Unified Vailsburg Services Organization (UVSO) and residents of Vailsburg. I have work with various partners identifying new and continuing funding sources and to solicit funding for programs within the community. I work with community leaders, community based/grassroots orgs, and supporting foundations to lead teams to initiate projects and initiatives. The highlight of my role is to organize conferences, workshops, public forums and other meetings to empower residents to stay engage. With over 5 years of working with various teams to develop, implement, and evaluate programs, policies, and services; I am confident that this role will not only allow me to sharpen my skills but also cultivate new skills. Ultimately fostering meaningful relationships and community service uniting the alumni students of SPAA. 

Job Title: Operations Management & Organization Development Consultant 

Candidate Statement:
Thank you for taking the opportunity to review my candidacy credentials for the Rutgers University School of Public Affairs and Administration Alumni Network (SPAAAN) Executive Board position of Vice President (VP). As you assess my credentials and the aspirations we share as SPAAAN Members, please know that I offer a strong work ethic, progressively responsible leadership and management experience as well as the ability to plan and facilitate sustainable programing and networking models. Components of SPAAAN that I would like to develop, if you elect me as your VP, entail:

A)      
Bridging real and perceived gulfs between SPAAAN’s academic and practitioner community priorities, goals and objectives.

B) 
As a current resident of Illinois and a frequent traveler to Africa and Europe, I would like to lead efforts to build the SPAAAN community beyond the NJ/NY metro region.

C)        
Increasing SPAAAN representation and membership within scholar-practitioner organizations. This initiative, as envisioned, would cultivate additional professional opportunities within the academic and professional realms.

D)        
Development advocacy statements via SPAAAN consensus. Indeed, we may not agree on every issue. Nevertheless, the lack of absolute and wholly uniform agreement is not an   excuse for SPAAAN to remain silent; on non-partisan socioeconomic and sociopolitical  issues.         

Again, thank you for reviewing my candidacy credentials for the SPAAAN VP position. I look forward to meeting and communicating with more fellow SPAAAN Members to discuss how I can be an asset for us. If you have questions or concerns that you would like to share, please contact me via Linkedin to schedule phone or Skype conversations.   

Job Title: Senior Community Program Specialist-New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities

Candidate Statement:
My name is Wendy-Ann Reid and I have a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University, where I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Sociology.  During my graduate studies I learned the importance of implementing the concepts of public policy and affairs in the social sector and applying the administrative concepts of organization and research in urban environments and how they align with each another.  I have also had the opportunity to work alongside international students which heightened my exposure in working with a diverse population.  My current civic engagement involves serving as a member of Board of Directors for the local Paterson Great Falls Rotary Club.  Recently, I was elected as Finance Chair supporting the chapter’s Treasurer and President.  My role has been to support the mission and bylaws by ensuring proper budgetary procedures are followed and approved by the President.

Job Title: Project Management Consultant 

Candidate Statement:
Studying at SPAA, helped shaped the way I view the world. It gave me the tools I needed to walk boldly in my career and for that I am excited to show my pride in becoming a SPAA Alumni candidate for the Vice President Executive Board position.  During my tenure at Rutgers, I had the opportunity to explore new avenues in my career and developed a stronger commitment to the revitalization of Newark. With the historic transformation currently underway in Newark, it is important that the SPAA Alumni Network help write the narrative of this great city.

Over the past few years, Newark has seen a surg in commercial and residential properties, and other major investments. On the one hand, growing cities such as Newark will require serious talent to fill open employment opportunities and Rutgers University-Newark will continue to produce said talent. On the other hand, we need SPAA specifically to increase students’ interest in public service. Mainly, because the needs and expectations of what government ought to deliver are rising. The city needs administrators to expand on the city’s policy objectives.

The good news is SPAA can deliver the performance Newark’s residents need and expect. SPAA graduates can refine government’s role as an economic shaper and integrator. Therefore, I am interested in joining the Executive Board of SPAA Alumni Network. Please consider this letter of interest for my candidacy.

Job Title: Senior Associate, Knowledge Management

Candidate Statement:
My desire to serve on the SPAAAN Executive Board has been driven by three reasons.  First, though I am not the type to put myself up for a role like this, I have seen the need for nonprofit professionals to have mentors and a community of likeminded individuals to achieve the goals of the organizations they are serving.  As the systems architect and project manager for technology initiatives at my organization, my work has been more effective and meaningful since meeting others with the same interests.  I would like to be a part of the work that takes place to connect people so they can take their work further.

Second, as conversations around diversity and inclusion increase, there have been a number of underrepresented communities identified as lacking presence in boards and leadership roles.  One of these groups is the Asian community.  As an Asian-American woman, especially working with technology, I know it is important to intentionally make room for a variety of perspectives.  I would like to make sure that the SPAA continues to be a place that cultivates diversity and deepens its commitment to inclusion.

Lastly, my MPA education has been helpful in the work that I do today and I would like to invest my time back into the community through the alumni network.  I enjoy meeting people, making connections, and helping others make connections.  I would love the opportunity to be part of this board and do what I can to make alumni community even better.

Candidate Statement:
I am interested in the Secretary position because taking accurate notes is important.  I have experience throughout my educational career and professional and related career as a good note taker.  My background is within Student Affairs and working with and for the government.  I hope to expand on this skill set through the various types of note taking that will occur for SPAA.  I am ready to offer my services and look forward to working with my fellow colleagues. 

Job Title: Program Director, Campus Compact of New York and Pennsylvania

Candidate Statement:
I am running for the Secretary of the SPAAAN Executive Board to serve the school that has given so much direction to me throughout my career journey. While attending SPAA, I created lasting relationships with faculty, administrators and fellow students who have shaped my career path. I currently am a non-profit administrator focused on building campus-community partnerships at higher education institutions across Pennsylvania and New York. I manage a region-wide AmeriCorps*VISTA program that provides the opportunity to young professionals to build sustainable relationships within communities experiencing high levels of poverty. Their service mobilizes hundreds of student volunteers from campus, inspiring civic engagement on campus. I hope my experience in civic engagement can help inform SPAAN of how we lead SPAA to engage with residents of local communities and create impactful relationships.

Job Title: Sr. Fiscal Analyst; State Agriculture Development Committee

Candidate Statement:
I was Treasurer in my second year of my Master's program for the Public Administration Graduate Association and I enjoyed my time collaborating with my peers and getting more involved with the program. I have been away from SPAA for a few years now and I would like to be back involved again. I also think I have some good ideas on how to advance the Alumni Network of the school and get former students to reconnect.