News and Events

Read the latest news and highlights from Public Policy Administration!

Upcoming Events

Click here to check out photos from our 2018 Fall Reception!

Read UMSL PPA news in our Fall eNewsletter!

Learn about the latest news, plus opportunities for public servants in our December PPA Happenings!

NPML workshop: Grants Research: An Introduction to Data Resources and Grant Prospect Research, Jan. 24, 2019

NPML workshop: Employment Handbook Must Haves, Feb. 7, 2019

NPML webinar: Issues of Confidentiality and Ethics to Consider in Nonprofit Organizations

NPML webinar: A Primer on Starting and Governing a Nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Organization in Missouri

PPA Prof. Anne Winkler's book "The Economics of Women, Men, and Work" is now in its 8th edition.

PPA Prof. Jean-Germain Gros' book "Healthcare Policy in Africa" explores origins and practices of health-care policy in Africa.

Student and alumni achievements

MPPA and NPML 2008 graduate Pearlina Boyd, J.D., graduated with a Juris Doctorate degree from Southern University Law Center in Baton Rouge, La. in May of 2017. She relocated home to St. Louis, and was recently elected to serve as Secretary of the Board for the Minorities in Legal Profession Section of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

NPML 2009 graduate Marci Mayer Eisen, MSW, ACC, is the Director of the Millstone Institute at the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, and has joined the Board of the St. Louis Chapter of International Coach Federation (ICF).

MPPA and NPML 2008 graduate Emily Fishman was hired as the Employee Engagement Manager with U.S. Bank. Part of her role there is to help facilitate employee volunteering/donation initiatives.

MPPA and LGM 2012 graduate Colleen Kirby Hafner left the St. Louis Equity Fund after 11 years and began working as the Project Manager at Rise Community Development. “I’ll also be working to help launch their newly-certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI),” she said. “I’m so excited about this next step in my career, and will be able to continue working closely with all my great UMSL colleagues at CBN, etc.”

MPPA and NPML student Amber Holt started work as a Financial Aid Coordinator at UM-St. Louis.

MPPA and NPML student Beth Jantz was promoted in April from grant writer to major gifts officer at Paraquad.

MPPA and LGM 2013 graduate Leonard Johnson was selected in April for the position of Director of Neighborhood Business Development at St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC). Johnson joined SLDC after spending the last five years in the position of Deputy Chief of Staff and Parking Programs Coordinator for the Treasurer’s Office in the City of St. Louis.

NPML 2009 graduate Vito Lucido is the President of the Missouri Disabled Water Ski Association. The nonprofit works to improve the lives of children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities, visual impairments, and special needs by involvement in adaptive water skiing. For more information about the organization, visit: http://www.mdwsa.org/php/mdwsaorg.php?topic=home

MPPA and NPML 2017 graduate Angela Moore was promoted at the Missouri Historical Society to Facilities & Sustainability Coordinator. She was selected to serve on two boards: USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Board and American Alliance of Museums Professional Network, Environment and Climate Communications Committee, she serves as the Chair of the Communications Committee. In 2018, she aided the Missouri History Museum to win an award from the American Alliance of Museums. The Missouri History Museum was awarded the Sustainability Excellence Award within the Facilities Category for Large Museums for 2018 for the organizations energy conservation efforts. In 2017, she also aided the Missouri History Museum in winning the top category for St. Louis Green Business Challenge. In 2018, she received a professional certification as a LEED Green Associate. “The program has really helped me to succeed in a short amount of time after graduation,” she said.

NPML 2013 graduate Mike Philbin was hired in November 2017 as Director of Residential Services for Caritas Family Solutions in Belleville, Ill. There, he administers a residential treatment program for youth with trauma histories and behavioral health treatment needs who are in Illinois foster care. In July, Caritas became the first Illinois DCFS contractor “immersion agency.”  With this designation the organization will work to streamline and improve services for youth in foster care while also working to reform the system as a whole. Philbin has an MSW in addition to the NPML Graduate Certificate.  

MPPA 2013 graduate Jeffrey Roorda is running for County Executive in Jefferson County. He was unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face off against the Republican opponent in the Nov. 6, 2018 General Election. This is an open seat, as the current County Executive is not running for re-election. Jeff previously served eight years in the Missouri House of Representatives until he was term-limited in 2015. 

MPPA and NPML 2016 graduate Ericka Thomas was selected as a spring cohort by Focus St. Louis' Emerging Leaders program, and started a new job as the Operations Lead at ArchCity Defenders.

NPML 2009 graduate Laura Musler Washburn switched jobs from Daughters of Charity, to the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis. Laura joined the Arts and Education Council in April 2018 as a financial accountant. In this role, Laura is responsible for accounting support to improve and sustain the finances of arts and education.

MPPA and NPML 2004 graduate Dana (Alexander) Woods relocated from Salem, Oregon to Lake Oswego, Oregon in 2012 and works as a grants manager for a local human service organization.