PAD Advisory Board
Meeting Minutes
Friday,
January 27, 2017
I. Call to order:
Dr. Sheila Toppin, Advisory Board Coordinator, called the conference all
meeting to 1:32 pm.
Attendees:
Board
Members: Dr. Priscilla Oliver, Ms. Abby Turano, Mr. Marshall
Taggart, Sir Jose Bright, Mr. Mike
Faass, Ms. Shamiah Kerney, Ms. Beth McMillan
Absent
Board Members: Dr. Timothy Etson, Ms. Ardie Harrison
PAD
Faculty: Dr. Henry Elonge, Dr. Rhonda Franklin, Dr. Oyebade Oyerinde, Dr. Sheila Toppin.
MPA
Students: None.
Welcome/Introductions:
Dr.
Toppin provided welcoming remarks and thanked the Advisory Board members and all in attendance for their
partnership and support. Attendees introduced
themselves and shared their goals for 2017.
II. Approval of Minutes from March 31, 2016 meeting: Approval tabled
to April 2017 meeting. Board Members
were encouraged to review the meeting minutes and Board updates via the PAD Advisory Board webpage @ http://padadvisoryboard.blogspot.com/.
III. Old Business:
A. PAD Updates: Dr. Elonge, PAD Chairperson
1. CAU: President
and Provost are focused heavily on university-wide outcomes. They have cast the
vision “Lifting Every Voice” to ensure all students are prepared for the
competitive global economy by encouraging the development of stackable
credentials (i.e., degree plans, certification programs, training) to help our
students have the competitive edge. Lastly, the Provost has commissioned a committee
to identify program strengths and opportunities for growth in all graduate
programs.
2. Public Administration
Department (PAD): 18 graduates in 2016 and anticipating the same in 2017.
Current enrollment: 60 students. We have embarked on the NASPAA Self-Study
which relies heavily on stakeholder input. The Advisory Board will play a
critical role in the success of the reaccreditation process and it is
imperative that all Board Members become thoroughly immersed in the PAD curriculum
and programmatic outcomes.
B. Committee Chair Reports:
Fundraising: Chairperson
Dr. Oyerinde advised the committee will focus on grant writing and alumni
support.
Members: Ms. Shamiah Kerney, Mr.
Mike Faass
Mentoring: Chairperson:
Dr. Franklin advised the committee will focus on connecting board members with
students through strategic mentoring. PAD averages 12 new students per term (15
in Fall 2016 and 10 in Spring 2017). The mentoring program will begin with
identification of student needs and formally implement the program in Fall 2017.
Committee Members Turano would like to incorporate internship opportunities
into the mentoring process. Mike Faass
mentioned the value of internships and the value of mentors preparing students
for professional practice.
Members: Dr. Timothy Etson, Ms.
Abby Turano, Sir Jose Bright, Ardie Harrison
Recruiting: Chairperson:
Dr. Toppin advised the committee will equally focus on pre-service and
in-service (professional) student recruitment. The development of a structured
recruiting plan will run parallel to the NASPAA Standard 4.1 Student
Recruitment: The Program will have
student recruitment practices appropriate for its mission. The committee
will rely upon CAU resources (i.e., Graduate Admissions/Recruitment Office,
Alumni Network). Committee member Oliver recommended Faculty/Students utilize
the ASPA-GA table at the ASPA National Conference for recruitment March 17 – 21st,
and the PAD have a table setup with MPA degree program brochures at the ASPA-GA
conference on February 24th.
Members: Dr. Priscilla Oliver,
Mr. Marshall Taggatt, Ms. Beth McMillan
III. New Business:
A. Upcoming Events:
1. Dr.
Toppin invited the Board Members to the ASPA-GA Conference on February 24, 2017.
2.
Dr. Franklin invited Board Members to the Pi Alpha Alpha Student Research Poster Day on April 6, 2017, from 12:00 – 1:30.
3.
Dr. Riles invited Board Members to the PASA Banquet on Saturday, April 8, 2017, in the Board Room at the Cole Research
Center. Tickets are $40 per person.
4.
Dr. Elonge & Toppin advised the Board of the PAD’s approval to commence a feasibility study of an online MPA program. Dr.
Elonge advised the work will begin now;
however, implementation will not occur until after the NASPAA reaccreditation process is complete in
2018.
5.
Ms. Kerney invited the Board Members to attend the Conference for Minority Public Administrators conference at the
Atlanta Sheraton March 15 – 17, 2017.
6.
Dr. Oliver invited the Board Members to attend the ASPA National Conference at the Atlanta Sheraton March 17-21,
2017.
B. Guest Speaker Opportunities: Dr. Toppin invited Board Members to serve
as guest speakers in PAD courses. Dr. Toppin will send a list of classes with
faculty contact information via email.
IV. Open
Forum
A. Dr. Elonge encouraged Board
Members to not only serve as guest speakers, but to also avail themselves as evaluators in
providing feedback to faculty via course observations.
B. Dr. Elonge requested the PAD Faculty
and Board Members gather for informal meetings
as well to develop rapport and further information sharing regarding the PAD.
C. Ms. Kerney mentioned internship opportunities
for students wishing to learn more about
political campaigns as a PAD alumnus is running for political office in South Fulton.
V. Adjournment
– Meeting adjourned at 1:15
pm. Next meeting scheduled for April 6, 2017
@ 2:00, AUC Library, 3rd Floor Exhibition Hall.
