Week 8 Recap: In the Golden State with Public Service On Our Minds

This week the Department of Public Policy (DPP) championed runners and public servants.

• Last Saturday members of GAPPS-ICMA volunteered at the Hartford Marathon and cheered on the runners.
• On Wednesday, Associate Professor Dr. Kerri Raissian presented with the School of Social Work Assistant Professor Dr. Megan Feely at the Department of Children and Families / Community Support for Families Annual Meeting. Dr. Raissian and Dr. Feely presented their research on the connection between poverty and child maltreatment.

• From Wednesday through Friday, members of the UConn DPP faculty and staff attended the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (or NASPAA) 2019 Annual Conference. This year’s conference theme is “Reconstructing Governance for the Next 50 Years” and our faculty and staff presented on a variety of topics. To learn more about their panel presence, see our most recent Instagram post.
• On the career front, Carl Goldblatt, MPA 2019 recently accepted a Connecticut Careers Trainee position with the Connecticut Department of Banking. He is training to become a Financial Examiner.

Next Week:

• On Monday, October 21^st we are hosting a Professional Development: Alumni Career Panel in McHugh 308 at 5pm in Storrs. To RSVP please email our Outreach Coordinator Lian Kish at Kish@UConn.edu.
• On Tuesday, October 22^nd we will be hosting an information table in the Atrium of the Hartford Times Building from 11am until 1pm to share information about our programs and professional opportunities..
• On Wednesday, we will be hosting an in person information session for our Fast-Track and Survey Research programs from 1pm until 2pm in Hartford Times Building, Room 209. To RSVP to the session please see our info session

Week 9 Recap: It May Be Fall, But We’re Already Thinking Of Spring

Lots going on in the DPP networks this week – friendly faces, awards and accolades all around.

• Course registration for Spring Semester 2020 opened on Monday!
  • For more information about registration requirements, please read the announcements on the UConn DPP HuskyCT site.

• On Monday, the DPP also hosted a career panel on the Storrs Campus. Check out who was there:
  • Ashley Bodamer, MPA 18′ is a Program Manager for Hartford Healthcare
  • Yahaira Escribano, MPA 19 is a Partner Program Coordinator for Foodshare
  • Philip Hnatowicz, MPP 18′ is a Marketing Associate for Fiduciary Investment Advisors, LLC
  • Andrew Bolger, MPP 18′ is a Data and Research Analyst for Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
  • Jameson Foulke, MPA 18′ is a Special Assistant to Senator Christopher Murphy

• Tuesday and Wednesday were busy recruitment days for the department. Current students tabled in the Atrium to share their experience with UConn Hartford undergraduates on Tuesday. Our Outreach Coordinator, Lian Kish, presented our programs at a Survey Research and Fast Track Information Session on Wednesday, also in Hartford.

• The Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) Annual Conference was held from Monday to Wednesday in Philadelphia, PA. It is an organization which connects and serves universities in urban areas around the world. The conference was attended by Distinguished Visiting Professor and Interim  Director of Sustainable Global Cities Initiative Robert Wilson.

• Wednesday brought career moves for Jessica Muirhead, MPA Fellow 2020, who accepted the position of Senior Program Manager with the Capitol Region Council of Governments.

• On Thursday, we heard that Yahaira Escribano, MPA 2019, was selected by the Obama Foundation to attend the 2019 Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago, IL. Yahaira is currently working as a Partner Program Coordinator for Foodshare and is a current member of the Obama Foundation’s Community Leadership Corps in Hartford. She was also featured on the Obama Foundation’s social media.

• Today, Friday, our Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative hosted its second workshop of the year: Leveraging Minicipal and Nonprofit Assets to Achieve Improved Community Outcomes: Governance and Collective Impact strategies. To learn more about PSELC, please visit: https://dpp.uconn.edu/collaborative/

Weekly Recap: Engaging Communities About Sustainability and Economic Growth

Last week with the DPP:

• We kicked off Monday 10/28 with a launch celebration for the Sustainable Global Cities Initiative. Our distinguished visiting professor, Robert Wilson, is the Interim Director for this project, which is an interdisciplinary approach to researching and examining the challenges of cities and city life in Connecticut and beyond.
• On Thursday, 10/31, the Department had an information table in the Hartford Campus Atrium where they talked with prospective Fast Track students.
• Thursday was also a great day for our DPP Professional Development Series. The Five Steps to Accelerate Economic Growth in Connecticut panel discussion was a huge hit! The panels panels were moderated by Jay Williams, President, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving. Thank you to all who participated and attended the event!
  • The two panels featured:
    • Peter Gioia, Chief Economist, PGEcon LLC
    • Keith Phaneuf, State Budget Reporter, CT Mirror
    • David Souder, Interim Dean, UConn School of Business
    • Representative Jason Rojas, 9th House District, Chair, Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee
    • Glendowlyn Thames, Deputy Commissioner, CT Department of Economic and Community Development
    • Matthew Nemerson, Vice-President, Budderfly Inc. and Past President, CT Technology
• Friday 11/01 was the last day to apply for the spring semester. We look forward to reviewing all applicants!
• The DPP also welcomed Anne Alzapiedi, HR Professional with GE Global and MPA alumna, on Friday to share her knowledge and experience with students for our 21^st Century Job Search Professional Development Seminar.

Coming up this week with the DPP:

• Monday, 11/04: GAPPS-ICMA Meeting 3:00 pm in DPP Seminar Room, 406
• Tuesday, 11/05 is Election Day! Get involved with public service not just through your Masters with the DPP but also with your vote!
• Also on Tuesday: MPA/MPP Info Sessions:
  • Storrs Campus: 12:30PM at Homer Babbidge Library, Class of 1947 Room
  • Hartford Campus: 12:30PM in HTB 209
• CT Nonprofit Alliance is hosting their Annual Nonprofit Conference at the CT Convention Center on Wednesday, November 6. Look for photos and recap from our Outreach Coordinator Lian Kish and Program Director David Garvey.
• Saturday, November 9: A Conversation with Spike Lee, 7:30 pm at the Bushnell. Students can purchase up to two tickets for $10 each when you call the Forum to order them at 860-987-5900.

Weekly Recap: Voting and Public Service

On this Veterans Day, the Department of Public Policy (DPP) would like to thank all of the military Veterans for their service! Thank you for protecting our freedoms!

The DPP celebrated our alumni, current students, and made lots of new friends last week.

• Our GAPPS-ICMA Chapter met on Monday, 11/04 and discussed fundraisers, DPP swag, and plans for next semester. They are also hosting a “Friendsgiving” pot-luck on Monday, November 18^th. For more info on this next event, please email gapps.icma@gmail.com.
• Tuesday was an eventful outreach day on the Hartford and Storrs Campuses. Current student Lena Nagorna tabled for the department in the UConn Hartford atrium and talked to many prospective Fast Track students. It was also Election Day! The DPP encouraged people to serve their communities at the polls and with a masters! Information sessions on both campuses garnered lots of interested students for the Fast Track, MPP, and MPA programs.
• On Wednesday, DPP staff attended the CT Nonprofit Alliance Annual Conference. The conference provided our staff with great networking opportunities and a chance to hear from nonprofit leaders from around the state.
• On Wednesday, we received news that Nicole Tomasetti, MPA ’18, won a seat on the Meriden City Council and Jessica Weaver, MPP ’20, won a seat on the Newington School Board.
• In Denver, Colorado, the Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) held their 41^st Annual Conference from Thursday to Saturday . The conference brings together professionals and institutions from around the globe and invites them to present research on the topic of public policy and management. Professors Eric Brunner and Yusun Kim both presented their research for conference attendees.

The holiday’s are quickly approaching, and DPP alum Jason Jakubowski is officially on the hunt for turkeys! The President and CEO of Foodshare recently spoke with Scott Haney regarding the Turkey+30. Foodshare is looking to raise 15,059 turkeys and $451,770 by Thanksgiving. To learn more or donate please visit Foodshare’s website.

Next Week:

• Wednesday, November 13th: Becoming Analytics Translators from 2:30pm – 4:00pm in HTB 220
• Thursday, November 14th:
  • Speaker Series with Dr. Lindsey Leininger from 12:00pm – 2:00pm in HTB 216
  • Research & The Free Press: Strengthening Democracy Together from 5:30pm – 8:00pm on the HTB 2nd Floor Landing
• Thursday, November 15th: Connecting with Your Stakeholders from 9:00am – 4:00pm in HTB 227

Weekly Recap: Data and Communication in the Workplace

Our professional development seminars were in full swing last this week!

• On Wednsesday, students and alumni heard from Lindsey Leininger, Clinical Professor of Business Administration at the Tucks School of Business at Dartmouth College. Dr. Leininger discussed with students what it means to be a Data Translator and how they can best facilitate data work in leadership roles.
• Dr. Leininger concluded her visit with the DPP on Thursday by presenting her work on health care experiences and expenses of vulnerable, high-need populations.
• Also on Thursday, District Director for New Britain Congresswoman Jahana Hayes Veronica T. DeLandro (MPA 2015), MPA Fellow and Communications Director for the CT Office of the State Comptroller Tara Downes (MPA 2020), and our Department Head, Mohamad Alkadry, spoke at Central Connecticut State University’s forum Overcoming Gender Pay Inequality. The all-day forum was held on Thursday at Central Connecticut State University.
  • Tara spoke on a panel entitled “The Status of Pay Equity in Connecticut”
  • Veronica and Mohamad spoke during a forum entitled “Overcoming Gender Pay Inequality”
• Anita Ford Saunders, Director of Advancement Communications, Trinity College, and Lloyd Duggan, Jr., President, gL Marketing Consultants, rounded out the week with their full-day session Connecting with Your Stakeholders: A long-Term Buy-In and A Cultivated Mutual Relationship. The session is part of the DPP’s Public Service Executive Leadership Collaborative.
• This week in alumni news: We congratulated DPP Alum Alyssa Carboni (MPA ’15) on Thursday for recently accepting a position as Post Award Research Manager with Yale School of Medicine.

Coming Up This Week:

• Survey Research Info Session – Tonight, November 18, 2019 from 6:00pm – 6:30pm, Online
• GAPPS-ICMA “Friendsgiving” tonight from 6:30-8PM.
• UConn Avery Point Career Conversations, November 19, 2019 from 12:00pm – 2:00pm
• UConn Volunteer Fair, November 19, 2019 from 12:00-1:30 pm, Hartford Public Library

Weekly Recap: It’s Still Time For A Turkey-Thirty

Before we left for Thanksgiving Recess, here at the Department of Public Policy (DPP) we traveled around Connecticut and to Tampa, Florida!

• On Monday, we hosted a Fast-Track and Survey Research online information session. Our final session for the semester is December 11^th at 8:30am. To RSVP please see our information session page.
• Monday night GAPPS-ICMA also hosted their Friendsgiving celebration! Be on the lookout for a photo from the event later this week!
• Tuesday we spoke with students at UConn Avery Point and UConn Hartford! At Avery Point, we participated in Career Conversations and spoke about opportunities related to environmental policy and healthcare. In Hartford, we participated in the Volunteer Fair and talked about the work DPP students and alums are doing in our community.
• Assistant Professor Kerri Raissian co-presented with Assistant Professor Megan Feeley of UConn School of Social Work and Ph.D. Candidate Kelley Fong of Harvard Sociology on Wednesday at the CT Data Conference. The trio shared how they use micro and macro data to challenge assumptions about child maltreatment.
• The week ended with Professor Yusun Kim attending the National Tax Association Conference in Tampa, Florida from November 21-23, 2019. Professor Kim presented on “Estimating Returns to Scale in Property Assessment Coordination Among Local Jurisdictions in New York” with Professor Yilin Hou and Professor John M. Yinger from Syracuse University.

The Week Ahead:

• This week the students are on break for Thanksgiving Recess, but our offices will remain open through Thursday! We will be back with another weekly recap that looks ahead next Monday.

In the meantime, we encourage you to participate in Foodshare’s Turkey Thirty! 2020 MPP Haley Turner Gillman helped to collect funds and turkeys at her internship at Goodwin College last week. CEO and President of Foodshare Jason Jakubowski, MPA 2001 has been all across Connecticut platforms reminding us all about food insufficiency in Connecticut, and the impact our donations can have on families across Connecticut. To help Foodshare reach it’s goal of 15,000 turkeys and $450,000 please see their website.

The DPP faculty and staff would also like to wish every member of the DPP Network from students, to alumni, to community partners, and collaborators a Happy Thanksgiving!

Weekly Recap: The Final Stretch

Finals are next week, but we still have one more week of classes.

Last week was Fall Recess for the Huskies

• We rounded out the final days of classes with with Professor Yusun Kim attending the National Tax Association Conference in Tampa, Florida from November 21-23, 2019. Professor Kim presented on “Estimating Returns to Scale in Property Assessment Coordination Among Local Jurisdictions in New York” with Professor Yilin Hou and Professor John M. Yinger from Syracuse University.
• MPA Alumni, Melissa McCaw was named one of the Women of Distinction in Connecticut for 2019 by Hartford Magazine.

The Week Ahead:

• On Monday, there will be an information session for the MPA, MPP & Fast Track program from 12:30pm – 1:30pm in HTB 209.
• On Tuesday, UConn Hartford is hosting a Scholars Strategy Network Connecticut Chapter winter lecture featuring New York Times columnist David Leonhardt from 5:30 – 6:30pm in HTB 145. Please RSVP here.
• On Wednesday, there will be an online information session for MPA Fellows from 7:00pm – 8:00pm
• This week there are also multiple candidate job talks.

Weekly Recap: Good Luck On Finals!

Last Week:

• Associate Professor Kerri Raissian kicked off our week on Monday with a research feature on UConn Today’s newsletter. Her research, completed in collaboration with Megan Feely of UConn Social Work, Lindsey Bullinger of Georgia Tech, William Schneider of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, focuses on macro-level factors of child neglect. Read more on this work at UConn Today.
• On Tuesday, 12/03, the Scholars Strategy Network Connecticut Chapter presented its winter lecture, “Research and the Free Press: Working Together to Inform Policy,” featuring New York Times columnist David Leonhardt.
• Wednesday night, 12/06, marked the final class of the semester for Professor Mark Robbins’ Public Investment Analysis class. Each semester, the student with the highest performing investment portfolio wins the coveted “Money Bunny” award. Congratulations to this semester’s winner, MPA ’20 student Najoua Khadrany!

• Last week we also held two successful information sessions on Monday and Wednesday, attracting students interested in the MPA/MPP Programs, Fast Track, and the MPA Fellows program. Follow us on Instagram to never miss an info session update!
• On Saturday members of our community participated in UConn Hartford’s Footwear with Care’s annual Winter Boot Party! Our Administrative Coordinator Wade Gibbs was featured on the front page of the Hartford Courant! 
• In Alumni news, congratulations to both Sneha Jayaraj (MPP ‘19) and Matthew Lenczewski (MPA ’19) for accepting new positions in their field. Sneha will be starting an Economic Development Analyst position with MetroHartford Alliance and Matthew is a new Eligibility Services Specialist with the Connecticut Department of Social Services.

This Week:

• Final Exams begin on Monday, December 9^th.
• Information Sessions: To RSVP please see our info session page
  • MPA Fellows Information Session: Tuesday, December 10^th  from 12-1PM in the 4^th Floor Faculty Lounge of HTB.
  • Survey Research & Fast-Track Information Session: Wednesday, December 11^th from 8:30-9:00AM, online session.
• Professional Service Executive Leadership Collaborative (PSELC) on Team Development, Friday, December 13th 2019, from 9am-4pm.
• Also this week: All current DPP students check your email for information about candidate job talks.

Nicole Tomassetti Named to the City of Meriden’s Town Council

Nicole Tomassetti, MPP 2018 was just named to the City of Meriden’s Town Council garnering 57.5% of the vote in Area Two. A lifelong resident of Meriden, Tomasetti’s family has been serving the community since the 1880’s. She currently works as a Lobbying Associate for Capitol Strategies Group. 

Tomasetti ran on a platform in support of the Board of Education and public school system, and hopes to restore the Neighborhood Initiative Unit, which fosters community and police relations. She hopes to encourage economic growth through new businesses in Meriden, and looks to bring young people and their families into the city. 

In an Op-Ed in the Record Journal, Tomasetti credits her MPP for preparing her for this new role. She wrote, “…I believe the education I received while pursuing my master’s degree in public policy allows me to bring a unique but much needed perspective to the Meriden City Council. I have the training to evaluate policy costs and outcomes, as well as the skills necessary to interpret municipal budgets and understand the public budget process. Additionally, my degree’s background in public administration has equipped me with the people and administrative skills necessary for being an effective elected official. I understand conflict resolution and I know how to work with others to achieve a common goal.”

Earlier this semester, Nicole participated on a DPP alumni career panel.

Jessica Weaver Named to Newington’s Board of Education

In 2018, Jessica Weaver, MPP 2020 voiced her sister’s difficulty in enrolling in Advanced Placement Science courses to a mentor. This conversation inspired her to run for a seat on Newington’s Board of Education. Earlier this month she became one of the newest members of Newington Board of Education.  

Weaver credits her MPP education with teaching her to talk about policy in a “productive and critical way”. Currently she is completing her Internship and Professional Practice (IPP) internship with YWCA Hartford Region where she works as an Advocacy and Legislative Intern. At her internship, Jess studies K-12 funding and the effectiveness of current educational funding. She is also a member of the Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps in Hartford. Earlier today, Weaver was featured in a Daily Campus article regarding her selection to the Board.

DPP Faculty Conference Recap: Fall 2019

This semester UConn DPP Department Head, Dr. Mohamad Alkadry, Director of Communications for the CT Office of the State Comptroller, Tara Downes (MPA Fellow 20’), and Assistant State Comptroller Michelle Gilman presented their findings on “The Connecticut State Workforce: An Analysis of Representations and Compensation Equity Across Gender and Race-Ethnicity” across the state at various presentations. The trio presented at the Legislative Office Building in September and at Central Connecticut State University’s “Overcoming Gender Pay Inequity in Connecticut” forum in November. DPP alum Veronica T. DeLandro also spoke, and current MPP student Caleb Pittman helped moderate. 

At the end of September, Professor Eric Brunner, Professor Mark D. Robbins, Professor Bill Simonsen and Assistant Professor Yusun Kim attended the Association for Budgeting & Financial Management (ABFM) Annual Conference in Washington D.C. During the conference, Professor Simonsen and Assistant Professor Kim presented papers. Professor Robbins presented an award. 

We kicked off October with Associate Professor Kerri Raissian presenting research on the connection between poverty and child maltreatment. Professor Raissian presented with UConn School of Social Work Assistant Professor Megan Feely at the Department of Children and Families/ Community Support for Families Annual Meeting.

In mid-October, the DPP headed to the 50th Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Annual Conference in Los Angeles, California. Both faculty and staff presented on

 a variety of topics, which can be recapped in our NASPAA 2019 Instagram post. MPA 2019 Fabiola Bachinelo was also in attendance. Fabiola accepted an Accreditation Associate position with NASPAA earlier this year.

At the end of October, Distinguished Visiting Professor and Interim Director of the Sustainable Global Cities Initiative (SCGI) Dr. Robert Wilson attended the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMU) Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA. SCGI launched earlier this semester as a university-wide interdisciplinary research unit that examines cities across the globe and develops new models of democratic, health, and sustainable urban life in partnership with public and private organizations.

We started November with Director of Nonprofit Leadership, Internships & Partnerships, and Encore!Connecticut Dr. David Garvey attending the CT Nonprofit Alliance Annual Conference in Hartford.

Mid-way through November Professor Brunner and Assistant Professor Kim presented at the Association of Public Policy Analysis & Management’s (APPAM) 41st Annual Conference in Denver, CO. 

We concluded November and the semester with Dr. Raissian co-presenting with Dr. Feely and PhD. Candidate Kelley Fong of Harvard Sociology at the CT Data Conference. The trio shared how they use micro and macro data to challenge assumptions about child maltreatment. Assistant Professor Kim also presented at the National Tax Association (NTA) Conference in Tampa, FL.

Melissa McCaw Named a Women of Distinction in Connecticut

The Hartford Courant recently named Melissa McCaw, MPA 2014 a “Women of Distinction in Connecticut”. McCaw was one of thirty women selected this year based on her contributions in making a “…significant difference in the life of [her] community”. Currently, McCaw is the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) for the Lamont Administration. In her role, she is responsible for the policy, planning, budgeting, and management of state government. She has been in the role for just over a year, taking office on January 9th in 2019. 

McCaw, a lifelong Connecticut resident, previously served the City of Hartford community as the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Budget Management & Grants. She also worked as the Budget Director for the University of Hartford, and began her career as a Budget Specialist with the Health and Human Services and General Government at OPM.

Fall 2019 Employment Updates

This semester both our alumni and current students have excelled to new careers. Current MPA Fellow Jessica Muirhead (MPA 20’) recently became the Senior Program Manager at Capitol Region Council of Governments. MPA 2020 Sarah Croucher was recently named the Director of Academic Policy at the University of Connecticut.

Our class of 2019 saw three alumni updates this fall. Sneha Jayaraj (MPP 19’) recently accepted an  Economic Development Analyst position with MetroHartford Alliance. Matthew Lenczewski (MPA 19’) was promoted to Eligibility Services Specialist in the Division of Health Services Community Options Unit within the CT Department of Social Services. Carl Goldblatt (MPA 19’) also became a Connecticut Careers Trainee with the Connecticut Department of Banking. He is training to become a Financial Examiner. 

In other alumni news, Alyssa Carboni (MPA 15’) became a Post Award Research Manager with Yale School of Medicine. Jessica Seabrook (MPP 18’) became a Fiscal Policy Analyst with the State of Massachusetts. Daniel Ray (MPA 16’) became an Associate in the Healthcare-Performance Improvement Implementations Department of Huron. 

Encore!Connecticut also saw two updates from the class of 2016. Craig Adler was recently named the Director of The Thomas Merton Center, and Stacy Goodwin was named the Executive Director of Horizons Bridgeport. We spotlighted them earlier this academic year in a DPP article. 

This fall we also saw an alumni and student elected to office in Connecticut. Nicole Tomassetti (MPP 18’) joined the Meriden Town Council and Jessica Weaver (MPP 20’) joined the Board of Education in Newington.

GAPPS-ICMA Gave Back and Makes Plans for a Housing Panel

The Graduate Association of Public Policy Students – International City/County Management Association (GAPPS-ICMA) kicked off the semester with a networking event with Pi Pi Alpha. The event brought together current students and alumni at Infinity Music Hall & Bistro. 

Members of GAPPS-ICMA went on to volunteer throughout Hartford during the semester. They volunteered at the Hartford Marathon and cheered on the racers in October. For Thanksgiving the students came together to celebrate with a Friendsgiving! In December they assisted at Footwear with Care’s annual Winter Boot Party. DPP Administrative Coordinator Wade Gibbs also volunteered at the November event and was highlighted by U.S. News & World Report and Hartford Courant.

In the spring, GAPPS-ICMA will be hosting a housing panel! Look out on the UConn DPP social media for forthcoming information about this professional development seminar opportunity.

Weekly Recap: Welcome Back To Spring 2020

Happy New Year Everybody! Here at the UConn DPP we have had quite the Winter Break. We skated around Bushnell Park, cheered on our Husky Basketball teams, and spoke with prospective students from across the country!

For our first week of classes we hosted a Pizza Party to welcome back our students, and held our first PSELC of 2020! We also emailed out our Winter Newsletter. If you did not receive it, but would like to join our mailing list email dpp@uconn.edu to let us know!

This week we have two information sessions on Monday, January 27th!

• FT & Survey Research from 12:00pm – 12:30pm online
• FT, MPA, & MPP from 12:30pm – 1:30pm in Hartford Times Building Room 209

We are also hosting a professional development workshop on resumes from 2:00pm – 3:00pm on Wednesday, January 29^th.

The US Army War College’s Eisenhower Series is also coming to Hartford on Thursday, January 30^th. From 2:30pm – 3:30pm there will be an informal conversation, and from 4:00pm – 5:30pm there will be a panel discussion on “National Security Challenges and Risks”.

After a weekend at the Wolf Pack, the DPP is excited to have its first week with Monday classes. See you next Monday!

Weekly Recap: Getting Involved on Campus

Our second week of classes, are now on the books! First year students have begun the IPP process, and our graduating students are applying for graduation.

Last Week:

• On Monday, the DPP hosted two information sessions. The first was for the Fast-Track & Survey Research programs, which was held online. Our second session was at the Hartford campus for the Fast-Track, MPA, & MPP programs.
• Wednesday kicked off the 2020-2021 IPP process with a Resume Workshop! The next step in the IPP process will be our Interview Workshop on Friday, February 7th.
• We also took part in the UConn Hartford Involvement Fair on Wednesday. During the fair we met with a lot of students committed to serving the greater Hartford area.
• Thursday we welcomed the US Army College’s Eisenhower Series here in Hartford. This series involved an informal conversation, and a panel discussion on “National Security Challenges and Risks.”

This Week:

• Today, Monday, marks the first GAPPS-ICMA meeting of the semester at 3:15PM in HTB 406. Hope to see you there!
• Tuesday, February 4th we are off to the Storrs campus for a Fast Track, MPA & MPP Information Session. Join us from 12:30-1:30PM in Homer Babbidge Library, Instruction Room 112. To RSVP please see our info session page.
• Wednesday, February 5th we are back at the Storrs campus for the Involvement Fair. Come say hello and collect some DPP swag!
• Also on Wednesday: Master in Public Administration Fellows program information session will be held online at 7PM. Contact Lian Kish for more information or to attended.
• Friday, February 7th will bring together alumni, faculty, staff, and students for the first Departmental Meeting of the spring.

Weekly Recap: Preparing for the Future

Last Week:

• On Monday, GAPPS-ICMA held their first meeting of the semester. They worked on plans for volunteer events this Spring as well as discussed next year’s Leadership Team. If you are interested in being part of the Leadership Team on GAPPS-ICMA for Academic Year 2020-2021, email GAPPS-ICMA for more information.
• An Information Session on the UConn Storrs campus for Fast-Track, MPA, and MPP programs happened on Tuesday.
• We also took part in the UConn Storrs Involvement Fair on Wednesday on the Storrs Campus. 
• On Friday, the DPP held an Interview Workshop lead by DPP alumna Ann Alzepiedi. Ann prepared students for the interview process, tips and tricks to interviewing for their internships and for post-graduate careers. For students applying for the IPP, their next step is to attend our Mock Interview night in early March.
• Friday also marked a big planning day for the DPP! Dean Wade joined our faculty, staff, students, and alumni in an open dialogue about the future of the DPP!

This Week:

• Wednesday, February 12th: Research Workshop Lunch Series with DPP, School of Social Work, and The Rudd Center
• All week: Center for Career Development Resume Review for IPP Candidates

Weekly Recap: Political Science Info Session

Last Week:

• IPP candidates attended Resume Review sessions with the Center for Career Development last week in preparation for their internship applications. The next step is Mock Interview night on March 4th.
• On Wednesday, the DPP attended a Research Workshop Lunch Series with DPP, School of Social Work, and The Rudd Center.

This Week:

• Monday, February 17th is the last day to send in your GAPPS-ICMA officers interest form. Open to all currents students on campus for the 2020-2021 academic year!
• Catch us in Storrs this week on Wednesday, February 19th!
  • Information Session for Political Science Students from 12:30-1:45PM
  • MPA/MPP Information Session in OAK 438 from 12:30-1:30PM
• Watch out for our staff and faculty on classroom visits in Storrs and Hartford campus this week, too!

What’s Ahead with UConn DPP: February 24 – March 6

We have altered our format here at the Department of Public Policy (DPP). Instead of giving you a weekly recap of events that are already showcased on our socials, we have decided to present a bi-weekly “What’s Ahead with UConn DPP” to feature what is to come with the Department. We will also be linking you to some of our more popular posts during the two week period.

Here’s the next two weeks with DPP:

• Monday, February 24: Lunch and Learn at 450 Columbus (12pm – 1pm)
• Tuesday. February 25: Online Fast-Track (FT) & Survey Research Info Session (12:00pm – 12:30pm)
• Wednesday, February 26
  • FT & Survey Research Info Table (11:00am – 1:00pm in Zachs Atrium)
  • FT & Survey Research Info Session (12:30pm – 1:30pm in HTB 209)
• Friday, February 28
  • Next Generation Workforce Forum (9:00am – 11:00am at the Legislative Office Building)
  • Non-Profit & Service Career Fair (11:00am – 1:00pm on the 3rd floor of the Student Union)
• Monday, March 2: GAPPS-ICMA Elections (3:00pm – 4:00pm in HTB 406)
• Wednesday, March 4
  • MPA Fellows Info Session (12:00pm – 1:00pm in HTB 406)
  • UConn Stamford Career Fair (1:30pm – 4:00pm)
  • Mock Interview Night (6:15pm – 9:00pm on the 4th floor of HTB)
• Thursday, March 5: Online Nonprofit Management Info Session (12:00pm – 12:30pm)

What’s Ahead with UConn DPP: March 9 – March 27

Here’s the next two weeks with DPP:

• Monday, March 9
  • College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources Career Night (3:30pm – 7pm, Student Union Ballroom)
• Tuesday, March 10
  • Professional Development: Microaggressions 
  • UConn Hartford Fast-Track (FT), MPA, & MPP Info Session  (12:30pm – 1:30pm in HTB, Room 209)
  • Information Table (11am – 12pm in Hartford Campus Atrium)
• Wednesday, March 11
  • 55 Farmington Lunch and Learn Information Session (12:00am – 1:00pm)
• Monday 16-20: Spring Break! Stay healthy out there y’all and rest up for the final few weeks!
  • PSELC: Evaluation for Publicly Funded Programs (9:00am – 4:00pm in HTB, Room 208)
• Monday & Tuesday, March 23 & 24: LOB Internship Information Sessions (10:00am – 11:00am)
• Wednesday, March 25
  • Spring Career Fair (11am – 3pm in Gampel Pavillion)
  • UConn Storrs Fast Track & Survey Research Info Session (12:30pm – 1:30pm in Class of 1947 Room)
  • UConn Storrs Fast-Track (FT), MPA, & MPP Info Session (4:00pm – 5:00pm in Instruction 1102)
• Friday, March 27
  • Workshop: GIS for Research, Practice, and Policy (9:00am – 4:00pm in HTB, Room 217)

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