With recent UIU MPA Facebook posts regarding career development and student life, the network for MPA students is growing. Become a member of the Upper Iowa University MPA Program group on LinkedIn.
As of recently, I can’t help but notice how quickly time flies! Between work, school, and family- the weeks move quickly…and it is hard to believe we are in Week 6 of this Term! This got me thinking about the importance of time management, and how many MPA students are developing their personal strategies.
When I first started at UIU as an undergrad student, I kept a calendar of due dates, notes, and set aside ‘free time’ to get stuff done. Funny, finding free time to get stuff done proactively was difficult!
As a grad student, I keep a loosely structured calendar of due dates. Trust me, I still value my calendar, but the routine of classes over the years has developed a natural habit for my studies. Of course, it is still difficult to find free time to be proactive with my assignments; however, the history of how long it typically takes for me to complete an assignment is more consistent. This allows me to budget my time more effectively, and strategically distribute my calendar.
Lastly, I have two small children. And, for those of you that have children, you’re probably like me…your most productive hours are when they are in bed! This is also the time of the day when I try to be proactive!
This topic also got me thinking- that each of us has different learning and time management styles. You’ve read about my time management strategy, now let’s hear yours! Don’t forget to visit facebook.com/UpperIowaUniversityMPA to share your comments!
This month’s blog features a note from Dr. Poppe:
Historically, emergency management has focused on preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation. Homeland security concerned itself with policy and doctrine. The already fine line between the two fields is becoming increasingly hard to discern. Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-5 issued by President Bush in 2003 attempted to establish a comprehensive framework for preventing, preparing, responding and recovering from domestic incidents. Domestic incidents in this directive are defined as terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies. Since that time there is growing recognition that the country needs a comprehensive strategic approach when addressing domestic incidents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Higher Education Project emphasizes the need for leaders who can bridge the divide between the homeland security and emergency management policy domains. To effectively carry out the President’s directive public administration must be ready to deal with simultaneous, interconnected, and overlapping crises. A newly restructured emphasis area that employs an integrated approach to the study of emergency management and homeland security will prepare Upper Iowa University MPA students to provide effective leadership and administrative expertise in this very unsettled environment.
Effective homeland security policy will require public administrators who have the strategic leadership necessary to respond collaboratively to any man made or natural disaster. Our goal is to create an emphasis area that more fully integrates emergency management and homeland security. This will allow us to offer potential students with a curriculum that gives them the strategic vision necessary to lead organizations in the current intergovernmental system. There is little doubt the threats the US faces, natural or otherwise, are not going to go away anytime soon. Given the fragmented and decentralized nature of the American intergovernmental system there is going to be a growing demand for leaders who have the ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries. In what follows you will find what we believe is an exciting and unique emphasis for our students. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns.
The current Justice and Homeland Security emphasis will remain in effect for those current students who are unable to switch to the new emphasis area. I encourage all students currently in the Justice and Homeland Security emphasis area to contact me at poppeg@uiu.edu or 414-475-3382. I would be happy to review your progress to date and discuss the relative merits of upgrading to the new degree plan.
Jerry Poppe, Ph.D.
Master of Public Administration Program Coordinator
Upper Iowa University
Winter break is finally here, and I’m sure many of you are enjoying your much needed relaxation! After the holidays and before the next term starts, what are you planning on doing with your time? For those of you that may be finding your way to PA590 soon, you may want to use this downtime to prepare for the application, which must be submitted to the MPA Program Coordinator at the term prior to the planned PA590 enrollment. The capstone report is meant to be an integrative document, and the Application to Enroll in PA590 requires identification of one course objective from each course in your emphasis area. Even if you are not planning on enrolling in the PA590 course soon, you may use this downtime to review your completed course objectives and keep a running log of them, jot some notes, or do whatever it is you think could be helpful when that time finally comes! It could be the best gift you can give to yourself as you approach PA590!
With this use of downtime as a suggestion, be sure to have a great time with friends, family, co-workers, fellow students, and RELAX!
Be sure to check out our UIU MPA Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Upper-Iowa-University-MPA-Program/124019331029557 and tell us how you plan on spending your winter break!
Hard to believe Thanksgiving and the holidays are nearly upon us! Have a great (well-deserved break) as we approach the end of the year. Also, don’t forget to register for next term’s course- one course closer to your graduation!
For students who will be soon graduating or even students who just entered the MPA program, it is beneficial to become a member of a professional organization related to your desired field. One such example may be the Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Check out the organization at http://www.aspanet.org/scriptcontent/index.cfm or on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/ASPANational. The program has over 9,000 members- government and nonprofit administrators, scholars, educators, and students, making it the largest professional association in public administration. For those of us beginning our public administration careers, the ASPA provides beneficial networking, research, publications, and career opportunities.
If you are a member of a professional organization, share your experiences on the UIU MPA Facebook page with your peers, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Upper-Iowa-University-MPA-Program/124019331029557?ref=tn_tnmn. Be sure to like our page, too!
Have a great holiday!
Howdy! On behalf of the of UIU Masters of Public Administration program, I would like to thank you for taking interest in this blog. If you are a current or prospective student of the MPA program, or even UIU faculty, it is my hope that you will benefit from these readings.
As this is our introductory post for the MPA Program, I would like to take a brief moment to introduce myself. I am current student of the UIU MPA program and in 2010, I graduated from UIU with my BS in Health Services Administration. Since my entire experience with UIU has been as an online student, I find that the best benefit of my education, other than quality, is the flexibility that comes from the program. If I had to describe my calendar in one word, I might say “full” but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Between working full time, school, and of course family, I often wonder if as a public administration student I can implement policy that will make more hours in the day. Yet, online education makes it possible.
I live in Texas with my beautiful family. My husband is in the U.S. Army and we are stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. We have two beautiful, funny, and OCD (like Mommy!) girls- London, 4 years and Riley, who just turned one. For my family and my girls, I want to achieve success in my career. When I’m not working or studying, I enjoy spending my time with my family, traveling, and playing video games, particularly Call of Duty (and I am counting down the days until MW3 comes out!).
Since I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor. Through my education and work experience, I became consumed with the focus on public health concerns, hence my interest in public administration and nonprofit organizations. As a part of a teen wellness and sexual health program at Scott & White Memorial Hospital, I see the value of public administration in the process of reducing public health concerns. Living in Texas, the third-highest state for teen pregnancy, my studies translate from the classroom to reality.
Now that you know a bit about me, I hope by reading this you would like to learn more about the MPA program. If you are a current student, you can certainly appreciate the network of peers within the public administration field. If you are a prospective student and are wondering if you can balance your life and your education- YOU CAN! As for faculty, thank you for your hard work in educating us MPA kids. You are shaping the future!
If you would like to learn more or get involved with the social network of the MPA program, please visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Upper-Iowa-University-MPA-Program/124019331029557 or checkout the UIU MPA website, http://uiu.edu/landingpage/mpa/index.html.
Thank you!
Blair Murphy
MPA Student
Upper Iowa University
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This is a monthly blog updated by Blair Murphy.