PAD Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
Friday, January
30, 2015
I. Call to order:
Dr. Sheila Toppin, Advisory Board Coordinator, called the meeting to
order at 12:45 pm at Clark Atlanta University, Oglethorpe Building, Room 116,
Atlanta, GA 30314.
II. Attendees:
Board Members: Ms. Valerie Bell-Smith, Ms. Ardie
Harrison, Ms. Beth McMillan, Dr. Priscilla Oliver, Mr. Marshall
Taggart.
Absent Board Members: Mr. Keith Barker, Ms. Angela Etson, Dr.
Tim Etson, Ms. Bettina Gardner, Mr. Tharon Johnson
PAD Faculty: Dr. Henry Elonge, Dr. Rhonda Franklin, Dr. Oyebade
Oyerinde,
Dr. Sheila Toppin
MPA Students: Mr. Abdullah
Alsayegh, Ms. Rahmah Alsomaly, Mr. Godfrey Anderson, Ms. Cassandra Volcy, Ms. Carla
White
III. Introductions:
Dr. Toppin provided
welcoming remarks and thanked the Advisory Board members and all in attendance
for their partnership and support. Attendees introduced themselves.
IV. Official
Business:
Dr. Elonge, Interim
Chairperson, provided an overview of Clark Atlanta University,
the Department, and NASPAA Accreditation Standards. CAU is a Historically Black
Institution and is referred to as a HBCU.
It was established in 1988 as a result of the consolidation of two
independently black institutions – Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College
(1869). CAU is also a United Methodist Church-related, private, coeducational,
residential and comprehensive urban research University. The university offers
undergraduate, graduate, professional degrees and non-degree certificate
programs. CAU has four University
Strategic Plan Priorities: 1) Attract an increased number and diversity
of students who graduate at higher rates and are equipped to succeed in their
careers; 2) Develop and enhance academic, research, and support programs
recognized for their distinctiveness, innovation, and ability to prepare
graduates sought after by employers and entrepreneurial community as well as
graduate and professional schools; 3) Increase and diversify University revenue
streams through expanded external financial partnerships and support,
entrepreneurial programs, and a broadened base of funded research grants,
contracts, and cooperative agreements; and 4) Implement a University-wide
strategic business model to enhance service delivery, value creation and sound
return on investment for successful future growth, development and
profitability.
The Public Administration
Department (PAD) exists in the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS) which is
headed by a Dean. SAS is the largest school in the University. The Department
is 40 years old- started in 1975 by Professor Emeritus James T. Jones. Presently,
enrollment stands at 65 students with the following demographics: 50% Male, 50%
Female, 30% International, 95% full-time
PAD networks with professional
organizations: American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), Southeastern
Conference of Public Administration (SECOPA), Conference of Minority Public
Administrators (COMPA), National Forum of Black Public Administrators (NFBPA),
International City-County Managers Association (ICMA), and National Conference
of Black Public Servants (NCBPS). Presently, the Department has four faculty
and one staff assistant: Dr. Henry Elonge, Interim Chairperson, Dr. Rhonda
Franklin, Dr. Oyebade Oyerinde, Dr. Sheila Toppin, and Ms. Terry Kight. PAD has
graduated over 600 students who hold careers in public, private, non-profit,
and international sectors. The Department has a strong student organization, Public
Administration Student Association (PASA)
The Network of Schools in
Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) is PAD’s accrediting
agency. Accreditation occurs in 7 year cycles. PAD has been accredited 3 times:
1997, 2003, 2010. The University pays annual dues to NASPAA. NASPAA provides
Core Competencies for all Public Administration Programs – Nationally &
Internationally. The next Accreditation visit 2016-2017. PAD will conduct a
self-study in 2015-2016. PAD expects full Advisory Board Involvement in the
Site Visit through interviews with Site Visit Teams and having knowledge of PAD
Program & NASPAAA Standards.
Dr. Toppin provided an overview
of the Advisory Board’s Strategic Goals: Meet semi-annually – Spring & Fall semesters to receive University
& Department updates; Provide advisement on the profession and issues
related to student preparation; Mentor students and assist in securing
internships/ other professional opportunities for graduate students; Identify
additional sources of revenue to support the general objectives of the
Department; Serve as ambassadors on behalf of the Department in arenas outside
the University; and Promote networking and connections between current/former
students and Public Administrators.
Dr. Toppin provided an overview
of the PAD Internship Program: NASPAA Public Service Internship Guidelines. MPA
Internship Requirements: 480 hours; Administrative level placement; Identification
of Problem/Dilemma for Exit Paper . Advisory Board members were advised on the
need for internships & mentorships for PAD students. They were encouraged
to explore internship or mentorship programs in their agencies, to become
mentors, and encouraged to involve their colleagues to become mentors as well.
Dr. Toppin will provide Board Members with more information on the Internship
and Mentorship Programs.
MPA Students Mr. Godfrey
Anderson, Ms. Cassandra Volcy, and Ms. Carla White provided an overview of the Public
Administration Student Association (PASA). The 2014 – 2015 Board Members are:
President – Cassandra Volcy, Vice President – David Johnson, Secretary –
Vacant, Treasurer – Markita Payne, Student Representative – Carla White,
Historian Parliamentarian – Godfrey Anderson. PASA is an organization that represents the student body of the Public
Administration Program. PASA plans and executes events that are designed to
enrich each students’ experience at CAU both academically and socially. Networking is a key component in this
field of study and is emphasized throughout your matriculation.
MPA Students Mr. Abdullah
Alsayegh, Ms. Rahmah Alsomaly, Mr. Godfrey Anderson, Ms. Cassandra Volcy, and Ms.
Carla White shared their experience in the program, their concentrations and
future interests.
PAD Concentrations & Industry Trend Breakout Groups: Attendees
participated in the following concentration-focused breakout groups:
Community Economic
Development & Urban Management: Dr. Rhonda Franklin, Ms. Beth
McMillian, Ms. Carla Volcy.
Human Resources Management:
Dr. Sheila Toppin, Ms. Ardie Harrison, Mr. Godfrey Anderson.
International Administration
& Development Management: Dr. Henry Elonge, Dr. Pamela Oliver, Ms. Rahmah
Alsomaly.
Public Policy: Dr. Oyebade
Oyerinde, Ms. Valerie Bell-Smith, Ms. Carla White.
V. Advisory
Board Recommendations:
Community Economic
Development & Urban Management Recommendations:
·
Increase involvement in local projects to impact
the community. City of Atlanta offers plenty of opportunities for PAD students.
·
Recruit students for Urban Administration
program as professionals in urban and local government are in demand.
·
Reenergize the real estate courses and interest
among students.
·
Offer Housing Development course/concentration
to address housing crisis in metropolitan areas.
Human Resources Management:
·
Increase focus on industry trends…movement from
technical skills to strategic planning.
·
Align internship placement requirements with
needs in the industry (i.e., strategic planning, metrics, diversified skills,
etc.)
·
Offer HR Metrics course to prepare students for
HR careers.
International Administration
& Development Management:
·
Offer the following courses or independent
studies: Disaster Preparation, Health Administration, and Environmental
Sustainability.
·
Partner with Morehouse School of Medicine’s
Masters of Public Health program to offer International Environmental Health
Program.
·
Facilitate internships/partnerships for students
at the U.S. State Department.
Public Policy:
·
Utilize policy courses to effect change in the
Atlanta University Center by getting PAD students involved in City of Atlanta
and Fulton County public policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.
AUC schools should have a more active role in serving/assisting the residential
community surrounding the campuses.
General Recommendations:
·
Continue to link students’ personal interests
with career choices.
·
Seek and accept opportunities to partner with
City of Atlanta, Fulton County, and local agencies to increase experiential
activities for PAD students.
VI. Announcements:
Dr. Franklin shared the
upcoming PAD 40th Anniversary
celebration. The Department will host a banquet on Saturday, April 11, 2015.
Tickets are $40 per person. Advisory Board members were invited to participate
and advised a link to purchase tickets via PayPal is forthcoming.
Dr. Toppin advised the next
Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, September 25, 2015; however, a
midterm meeting may be scheduled due to upcoming changes (i.e., CAU
Presidential Search).
VII.
Adjournment:
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30
pm.
