Public and Environmental Affairs
SPEA´s mission is to serve the public interest across the public, nonprofit, and private sectors at the local, state, national, and international levels. SPEA IUPUI faculty made important contributions in the areas of Teaching and Learning, Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity, and Civic Engagement during the 2006-2007 academic year.
Teaching and Learning
- SPEA IUPUI awarded degrees or certificates to 157 students in May 2007. Twenty-eight and 10 students, respectively, earned Master of Public Affairs and Bachelor of Science degrees in Public Affairs. Sixteen and 18 students, respectively, earned the Master of Health Administration (MHA) and the Bachelor of Science in Public Health, majoring in environmental science and health or health administration . Thirty-nine students earned the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
- Professors Terry Baumer and Jim White led SPEA efforts to establish a new partnership with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department for graduate education for police officers. In collaboration with SPEA Executive Education, SPEA will deliver a customized version of the Public Management Certificate to a cohort of about 15 police officers selected by the IMPD for this special training. The program also will be open to officers from surrounding jurisdictions.
- Craig Hartzer, Director of SPEA Executive Education, and Professor Debra Mesch led SPEA efforts to establish a new partnership with Goodwill Industries for graduate education for Goodwill employees. SPEA is delivering a new, customized version of the Nonprofit Management Certificate to a cohort of about 15 employees selected by Goodwill leadership to be participants in its Strategic Leaders Program.
Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity
- Under the direction of Professor Eric Wright, SPEA IUPUI launched its new Center for Health Policy. By the end of 2007, the Center was managing external research awards totaling more than $3 million. In collaboration with the Center for Law and Health in the School of Law and the Center for Bioethics in the School of Medicine, the Center received a Signature Center grant to initiate collaboration. Among other new projects, Professor Wright was selected by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration to serve as principal investigator in a project to support its health care reform initiative.
- Under the direction of Professor Sam Nunn, the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment launched a partnership with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to analyze data on motor vehicle accidents in the state of Indiana. The Center produced nine issue briefs on topics including alcohol-related crashes, speeding, occupant protection (restraint use), and young drivers.
- Professor John Ottensmann received funding from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) to develop luci2, a second-generation version of the Land Use in Central Indiana (LUCI) model developed for forecasting conversion of rural to urban land use. Luci2 will be a statewide model and will be linked to INDOT transportation models.
- In collaboration with the Center of Philanthropy, SPEA IUPUI recruited Professor Adrian Sargeant from the University of West England to join the SPEA faculty. Professor Sargeant, an internationally recognized scholar in nonprofit management and editor of the International Journal of Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Marketing, also was named the inaugural holder of the COP´s newly endowed Robert F. Hartsook Chair in Fundraising.
- Professor Sheila Kennedy published a new book, God and Country, which explores the interplay among religious beliefs, political ideology, and policy debate. Professor Kennedy, an attorney, is particularly interested in constitutional law, free speech, and the process of policy formation.
- Professor Kenna Quinet published the second edition of her book, The Will to Kill. Professor Quinet, an award-winning teacher, teaches the popular classes Murder in America, and Homicide in Indiana.
Civic Engagement
- After 10 years of highly successful operation and "incubation" in SPEA, Professor Roger Jarjoura led efforts to transfer operations of the Aftercare for Indiana through Mentoring (AIM) program to the Indiana Juvenile Justice Task Force. The AIM program, which now provides re-entry services in seven Indiana communities for juvenile offenders who are leaving incarceration, is recognized nationally because of its success in reducing recidivism. The spin-off is supported by a major grant from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. to the Task Force.
- Under the leadership of Professor Alfred Ho, SPEA IUPUI hosted 26 students from the Kazakhstan Academy of Public Administration for a month-long educational program in Indianapolis focusing on state and local government. The students visited a number of state and local government offices and discussed trends in public administration with state and local officials.
- Trustees´ Lecturer Tim Koponen led an important project for the Secretary of State to engage students in the electoral process. The program, which recruits students to serve as poll watchers in elections, engaged more than 200 students in the electoral process and provided opportunities for learning about the administration of elections.
- Former Indiana First Lady Judy O´Bannon, who now produces the public television show "Communities Building Community," spoke eloquently about the importance of public service and the need to appreciate the perspectives of others at SPEA IUPUI´s May 2007 graduation ceremony. The commencement ceremony was attended by approximately 1,000 students, family members, and friends.
Diversity
- SPEA IUPUI appointed its first Diversity Cabinet in 2007. Cabinet members worked on a new diversity plan for the School. Overall, the proportion of minority students enrolled in SPEA IUPUI programs remained at approximately 18%. Although SPEA accounts for only 3% of all IUPUI students, it accounts for roughly 4% of all minority and 5% of all Black students.
Best Practices
- Professor Crystal Garcia represented SPEA in IUPUI Gateway Scholars Program. Professor Garcia, who teaches introductory courses in the American Criminal Justice System, has presented her innovative work to engage and retain students at the E.C. Moore Symposium for Teaching Excellence.
- Emeritus Professor Tom DeCoster and his wife Pat DeCoster endowed a new SPEA scholarship fund for single parents. The DeCosters, who have taken special interest and pride in the achievements of single parents who have worked their way through college, continue to demonstrate leadership in support of SPEA´s missions of teaching and civic engagement.
External Awards and Appointments
- Clinical Professor David Handel received the Regents Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) in recognition of his significant contributions towards achievement of the goals of ACHE and the advancement of excellence in healthcare management.
- Professor Roger Jarjoura received the Alvin S. Bynum Mentor Award for his work to establish the Aftercare for Indiana through Mentoring (AIM) program. The AIM program provides student and other volunteer mentors who assist incarcerated youth with development of reentry plans as part of a strategy to reduce recidivism.
- Clinical Professor John Krauss, who directs SPEA´s Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, was appointed President of the Board of Governors of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
- Professor David McSwane received the Willard W. Patty Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. The Patty Award is presented annually to an alumnus who has demonstrated outstanding personal and professional achievement.
- Professor James Perry received the Paul. P. Van Riper Award for Excellence and Service from the American Society for Public Administration. Professor Perry, who also is in the National Academy of Public Administration, received the award for his continuous, distinguished service to the profession.
- Clinical Professor Jim White, who joined the SPEA faculty following a distinguished career in emergency management, law enforcement, and the military, received the President´s Award from the Indiana University Alumni Association for lifetime service and achievement.
