In this video, we talk with MPA graduate Alex Barrett, Real Estate Manager at the Heritage Group about his work and its relationship to the study of public administration. Topics discussed include finding ways to create mutual wins for the public and private sectors, the shifting landscape of environmental rules and regulations, and the importance of developing soft skills.
Rebecca Conners, Operations Manager, Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Emergency Communications Center and current MPA student, discusses her path to a career as an emergency communications specialist. Rebecca also discussed how different aspects of public administration inform her job and the need for policy to address trauma and burnout among first responders.
David Kachman, Stephannie Gambill, and Jolyn Osborne of Indiana State University are joined by Yasmine Haiti of the University of Illinois at Chicago to discuss their roles and experiences in higher education. The discussion also focuses on how the study of public administration has affected their career and how public administration research could help to improve higher education.
Andrea Zimmerman, deputy chief of staff for the Indiana Department of Transportation, and Michael Shaw, community development planner for Thrive West Central (Indiana) discuss Indiana transportation initiatives and challenges, as well as how the study of public administration areas like organizational behavior and budgeting are valuable for navigating difficult policy areas.
Ashley Hemrich and Claire McCray discuss their careers serving populations with mental and behavioral health needs, how the study of public administration affected their career path, and what challenges in the social services field public administration researchers should focus on
Dr. Toner returns with Clade X co-leader, senior scholar and assistant professor Dr. Crystal Watson, to discuss lessons learned from the pandemic preparedness exercise.
Dr. Eric Toner, senior scientist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, provides a preview of the pandemic exercise, Clade X: http://www.centerforhealthsecurity.org/our-work/events/2018_clade_x_exercise/index.html.
This maiden voyage of Policy vs. Pandemics discusses what I hope will be a fruitful exploration of the interdisciplinary intersection between policy and pandemic preparedness. I also preview episodes 2 and 3, which will be all about Clade X and how the U.S. needs to gear up for the possibility of a bioengineered pathogen. Please send any comments to nathan.myers@indstate.edu