The NIU MPA program begins its 51st year with a
record number of 47 new students
The incoming class is a great mix of 29 pre-career students who will be serving in internships, 17 mid-career students and 1 international student. The wide variety of student backgrounds and experiences provides great classroom discussions and enhances the overall student experience in the program. Click here for a profile of our incoming MPA class.

The students attended orientation on August 15th, which included a team building exercise led by Dr. Gabris, introductions of the faculty and staff, guidelines for writing expectations and an overview of the many aspects of technology that will be used in the program.

Jacob Lawrence described his experience in this way: “We learned that the MPA experience demands dedication and a genuine desire to become a great public service professional. It’s important to achieve a balance between the demands of school, work/internship and personal obligations.”

Although we no longer offer automatic tuition waivers for students serving in internships, the program is attracting students into the local government and nonprofit fields. Thank you to those who have referred students to the program and have offered shadowing opportunities to young people at your work site. Your willingness to share the profession and our program with others is an essential resource that assists us in recruiting the best and brightest future leaders.

We hope you will have opportunities to meet and get to know many of our students at professional development events as they complete the MPA program. We appreciate all of you who partner with us as internship supervisors. The experience that you provide to our students is invaluable and is why we can claim a 95% job placement rating 6 months after graduation. Please contact Denise Burchard at publicadm@niu.edu if you are interested in hiring an NIU MPA intern for your organization.

We look forward to continuing to support our alumni by providing high quality future employees for your organizations.
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The 17th Annual NIU MPA
Golf Outing is Just a Chip and a Putt Away

Dear NIU MPA Alumni and Friends,

Our annual NIU MPA golf outing is set for Friday, September 26th at the Bridges of Poplar Creek in Hoffman Estates.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to call your former MPA classmates, friends and fellow colleagues to enjoy a day of golf (scramble format) to benefit the NIU MPA program.
 
For 17 years the golf outing, raffle and auction have provided much needed funds to assist the department in providing educational opportunities for the students as they complete the program as well as sustaining the program’s national ranking.

Golf Outing Details:
On-site check in begins at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. All levels of golfers are encouraged to attend and play. A buffet lunch featuring a raffle and auction will complete a fantastic day.

Cost for golf and lunch is only $125 per person. To find out more information and to register and/or sponsor a hole click here. You can also call June at 815-753-0184 if you have any questions.

See you at The Bridges of Poplar Creek, 1400 Poplar Creek Drive, Hoffman Estates.

Sincerely,
Jim Norris and Greg Kuhn
MPA Golf Committee Co-Chairs
James M. and Audrey Banovetz Fellowship
Awarded to Two MPA Students
MPA Alumni awarded the James M. and Audrey Banovetz Fellowship to MPA students Kevin Leighty and Elisabeth Wright. They will be attending the ICMA Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina with the fellowship funds. Kevin is the management intern for the City of Elmhurst and Elisabeth is the administrative intern for the Village of Gilberts.
 



Pictured from left to right: James Norris, Kevin Leighty, Elisabeth Wright,
Kathleen Rush, Valerie Salmons and Greg Kuhn.
 
50th Events

 Thank you to all who made our 50th Anniversary Celebration a great success. Featured here are pictures from the gala which was held at the University Club in Chicago. To download pictures from the 50th Anniversary Celebration click here:
 

Vol. 1, Issue 3                    Fall  2014

Join us in Charlotte for the Annual Alumni and Friends Conference Dinner!!

This year we will be holding our annual dinner on Monday, September 15th at

Rí Rá Irish Pub
208 North Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC 28202

Buffet dinner includes salad, turkey and beef fillet carving stations, roasted vegetable pasta, sides, and dessert.

Cost is $40.00 per person
Cocktails: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:30 p.m.

The ILCMA Reception will follow the MPA alumni dinner
at Rí Rá at 8:30 p.m.


 

The Department is Excited to Welcome

Associate Professor,
Dr. Eric Zeemering
studies city management, intergovernmental relations and collaborative governance.

Assistant Professor,
Dr. Gregory Porumbescu specializes in information and communications technology, transparency and accountability.

Alumni Updates

Brian Caputo (‘99) was recognized by the Daily Herald Business Ledger as a 2014 CFO of the Year. Brian is the CFO
and Treasurer for the City of Aurora, Illinois.

Mike Falese (‘01) was awarded the 2014 Fire Chief of the Year award by the Illinois Fire Chief Association. Mike is the Fire Chief at the Bartlett Fire Protection District in Illinois.

Joe Fennell (‘84) was named to the APWA list of 2014 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year. Joe is the Executive Director of the Northwest Suburban Joint Action Water Agency.

Kathleen Frederick (‘98) graduated with a PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University and is now working with Americorps/VISTA at the Human Economic Appalachian Development.

Please keep us posted on what is happening in your life, pictures
are welcomed! Send your life events to pracademic@niu.edu.

Do you have an event in your community that we can feature to our alumni or perhaps participate in as an alumni group? Let us know, contact publicadm@niu.edu.

 


Click here to make your
donation to the 50th Anniversary Fund to promote research in
Local Government.