MPA Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 2 May 2008

S: Why did you select USC as you school of choice for your doctorate in PA? AHE: I was living in L.A., met my husband there and USC was the best school in the region for a Doctorate

in Public Administration. What has been the most influential read (non academic book, poem, short story, whatever) in your life. Why or how did this reading have such an influence? S: You have always celebrated a very whole brain approach in your teaching style. Understanding that not all students learn the same way. Did you have some early enlightenment, mentor, personal experience that helped you to understand the importance of teaching to the right brain as well as the classic (lectured) left? AHE: I have a Masters in Social Work and majored in counseling, group counseling, and interactive learning. I presented Workshops for Human Services and had to learn to teach Public Service Professionals that respond better to an interactive pedagogy. S: Dr. April, everyone knows you’re insanely busy, but if you were to retire from your professional duties starting tomorrow, what would you do with your newly acquired free time? AHE: I would be pretty interested in becoming a social activist involved in conflict resolution work. S: What caused you to study the disciplines you chose i.e. Social Work, and Public Administration? AHE: I was interested in Social Work because of the value of helping other to work out their problems and lead a fulfilling life. I then realized how much influence

organizations have over people and became interested in management and organizational theory. Public Service is another of my primary values, I did my dissertation on ethics because to me ethics is the anchor of human, community and individual development, so I specialized in Public Service Ethics. S: Any childhood interest or world events steer you into those disciplines? AHE: Civil Rights Movement, the drive for social justices within the Civil Rights Movement, Gandhi and the non-violent social change. S: What do you feel your greatest contribution to the study of public administration is? AHE: To give people a knowledge and ethical foundation necessary for their professionalism. S: Most students in your Ethics class were asked to do a presentation on a moral role model. I had a hard time back then thinking about this one person who would fit all the definitions that were given. Who is your moral role model? AHE: I have many, it is hard to decide, Howard Zinn a social activist and historian, the Dali Lama, an excellent role model for social justice by non-violent means. And lets not forget Peace Pilgrim who walked 25,000 miles to show people that you need to develop inner peace to get world peace. S: What are your favorite Hikes? AHE: Yosemite – all of them S: I would be interesting to ask about your vegetarianism. When? Why? What is her favorite food to eat? Where in Turlock or Modesto do you like to go out to eat? AHE: Let me say that I am lacto-oval vegetarian, meaning dairy and eggs but no meat or fish. (Eat nothing with a face) since 1980, I don’t like to eat my friends, and it is a lot healthier, fruits, veggies, grains and sweets. My favorite is ethnic foods like the local restaurants that offer Indian foods.

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Inside This Edition:

Ripples in the Gene Pool (see pictures below) Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Shuping welcomed their new daughter, Aubrey Tate Shuping on February 26, 2008 7lbs 12 oz. and 20 1/4 inches long. Amanda and Noah Hughes welcome “the Outlaw” Josie Hughes on May 5th 7 lbs 13 oz...19 inches ALSO - SAME DAY Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Beltz welcome Grace Elaine Beltz on May 5th 7 Lbs 11 oz… 19 ¼ “ Ashley Hall-Kennedy and Family are expecting a new addition to their family on June 28th

Congratulations to the new parents

Alumni Notes and Quotes Alumni Reflections Reasons to Throw a Party Interview with Leslie Rogers - MPA Alumni What’s Going On Moving on up New Baby Photos Quotes and more quotes

Graduates for 2007-08

Rebecca Areida, Troy Broddrick, Patrick Brook, Danielle Campbell-

Bohn Michael Castillo, Raul Dominguez, Andrew Johnson, Robin Kelly, Joi Kulisek, David Leamon, Tami Matuska, Jose Moran,

Cynthia Phillips, Jose Nuno, Emily Pino, Leslie Rogers, Teresa Salas Congratulations and Best of Luck in All Your Endeavors

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S: What is your best home-made vegetarian dish? AHE: Vegetarian Lasagna, Lentil Loaf for Thanksgiving. S: Is your husband vegetarian too? Who does most of the cooking? AHE: Yes, he is a vegetarian also. I probably do most of the cooking but he is very good at making Indian food. S: Have you been to many good vegetarian restaurants in SF or Berkeley? AHE: Does the sun rise? The Greens in SF is very good, and there are just too many in Berkeley to count. S: If you could pick one career in Public Administration, what would that be? AHE: University President S: Do you know of Ruth Heidrich, the triathlon athlete (now pretty old) who is vegan, but once had breast cancer? AHE: No, I have not heard of her. S: Who are you hoping wins the 2008 Presidential Election?" AHE: Obama S: If you could have a conversation with the president, what would you talk about? AHE: Try to engage him in reaching out to get diverse points of view about different problems. S: What is your most funniest/touching moment in class?

AHE: When my ethics students built an ethics quilt for me. Funniest was when I read the wrong assignment and covered it in class. S: What was your first career? Have you considered working as a public service practitioner? AHE: I was a Social Work Therapist in Mental Health in the 1970’s. I was a therapist for mental health and the head of clinical team, a consultant to Human Services for children, youth and teens for 11 years. S: Why did you decide to teach public administration? AHE: Because my core value in life has always been service and public service is a fulfilling way to live you life. S: If you could do over your entire career path knowing what you know now, what career would you choose? AHE: I am who I am and affirm my life as it is. S: How do you take care of yourself and prevent your job from taking over your life? Or has it? AHE: I try to meditate for my mind, workout for my body and sing for my soul. S: Do you actually use the models for ethical decision-making yourself? AHE: Of course, especially when the pressure is on and a dilemma arises.

Reasons to Throw a Party

Joshua Ewen 1st year MPA student New Job as a Redevelopment Technician with the City of Merced Redevelopment Agency starting March 21, 08. Received position after a 6 month internship with the City of Riverbank Community Development Department.

Annette Garcia

Director of Administrative Operations for the Division of Student Affairs at UC Merced. Same job really; mostly just a different title.

Sabine Verelst With my goal to teach at a State College one day, I have accepted a part time position as Instructor for ITT Tech Institute in Lathrop, where I am currently teaching PC Technology classes in the evening. My main employment is still with the City of Stockton as Project Manager. My second part time job as instructor will provide me the teaching experience necessary to work at a State College. This is an exciting milestone for me as I truly enjoy teaching, and its environment. Working with students is rewarding and interesting. Many wonderful instructors have influenced and inspired my life and being an instructor myself allows me to pay forward to give back that inspiration and positive influence – even in a Technology class

Jamie Suarez

I am proud to say that in November of 07 I received a promotion titled “Manager Merced-County”, overseeing Center and Field Recruitment Departments.

That Final Question

Last Year at the MPA Dinner I asked this question of graduating MPA Students: Final Question “If I had known then what I know now this whole thing would have been so much easier.” I would like you to tell me just what it is that you wish you had known then. I would have brushed up on my American History prior to starting the program! T. Matuska I think one of the most important things that I have learned is the program really builds on itself. Each class complements the next. Meeting with Dr April on a regular basis and not just for registration has helped a great deal. Get involved in GASPA! A. Raby

This question will again be put to everyone at the graduation dinner in the spring, so start thinking of the

answer now.

Please Lord,

Make me half the person my dog thinks I am.

P.3 Alumni Reflections

Alumni Notes and Quotes Ken Baxter – A Blast From the Past

Ken Baxter (MPA 1987) is the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), District 10 Deputy District Director for Planning, Modal, and Local Assistance Programs. Ken's jurisdictional responsibilities include eight counties and 29 cities. As a manager, Ken's staff includes engineers, planners, administrators, and technical staff support. He also serves on regional transportation boards that include council of governments and works with local, state, and federal appointed and elected officials. Ken's oversight responsibilities include budgeting, contracts, human resources, training, safety, policy development, and project/program development and public administration. Ken recently completed an 18 month Caltrans Executive Development Program (EDP) where his assignments included serving as chief of staff for the Caltrans Director, interim division chief for the statewide Transportation System Information program, and he provided service for the Caltrans Headquarters Traffic Operations Division, California State Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. Ken’s prior experiences included Interregional Studies Branch Chief with Caltrans at their headquarters office, Caltrans Community Planning Branch Chief where he managed the statewide community planning and public participation programs, manager with the California Highway Patrol where he managed the statewide Transportation Planning and Program Development and Corridor Safety Program offices.

Ken served a one-year special assignment with the Federal Highway Administration in Washington, D.C., where he was team leader for the development of the national Commercial Vehicle Information Systems Net-work project and conducted legal research, developed federal contracts, provided numerous outreach and technical meetings with national research laboratories and state transportation and enforcement agencies, and served as vice chair and secretary for the International Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Technology Committee. He has also served on the Stockton Transportation and Energy Committee and was a loaned executive officer to the San Joaquin County United Way. Ken is an adjunct instructor with San Joaquin Delta Community College where he instructs courses in American Government, Public Administration, and Business. He also teaches Community Planning at Humphreys College and is on staff with National University. Ken served as secretary on the board of a non-profit corporation for six years, and was a board member of a private school with 400 students (Kindergarten through 8th grade) for seven years. Ken received his Transportation and Management Certificate from the University of California, Davis; a Leadership Development Certificate from Sacramento State University; and has a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Masters in Public Administration from Stanislaus State University

"The harder the conflict, the more

glorious the triumph.” -Thomas Paine

I'm one of the 55. Are You? If you can raed this, you have a sgtrane mnid too. Can you raed this? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. I cdnuolt blveiee that I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd what I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in what oerdr the ltteres in a word are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is that the frsit and last ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can still raed it whotuit a pboerlm. This is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? Yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Keith Boggs – Class of 1995

Keith D. Boggs (MPA 1995), Deputy Executive Officer, Economic Development - County of Stanislaus, has been accepted to a two year ZERO DIVIDE fellowship through the California Technology Foundation. 16 Fellows were selected through a competitive statewide process which seeks to identify forward thinking community leaders who are actively advancing technology based community development.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

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Dear Students, Alumni, Colleagues and Friends—

It is with quite mixed feelings that I’ll be leaving CSUS and the MPA program after this semester. It didn’t work out for my family to relocate to the Central Valley, so I’ll be returning to another place that’s hot, dry, flat, and ugly—Oklahoma City!

I consider myself so fortunate to have met and worked with each of you, whether through part of this semester or through four or five classes (Hi, Dana!). You all inspire me in your desire to learn more, your commitment to public service, and your amazing ability to raise families, work full time, and still trudge through the graduate school experience. Whenever I feel like there is no hope for governance in our country, something one of you says or does restores my faith, or at least the part that isn’t burned out for good. I know I’ll look back fondly on many fine moments in the classroom—I forgot the boring ones or maybe didn’t even notice that I was boring—and I’ll certainly think of you and wonder what you’re up to. Hope you’ll keep in touch, contact me if I can help with recommendations, career counseling, or anything else. My cell is (405)371-2890 and my nonwork (so I really answer it) email is heyheypaul@yahoo.com. Thanks for your hard work and the memories. And remember—getting there is all the fun. Paul Shinn Former Assistant Professor

To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

American Society of Public

Administrator’s Mission ASPA is the leading public service organization that: • Advances the art, science, teaching, and practice of public and non-profit administration. • Promotes the value of joining and elevating the public service profession. • Builds bridges among all who pursue public purposes. • Provides networking and professional development opportunities to those committed to public service values. • Achieves innovative solutions to the challenges of governance.

ASPA's Code of Ethics 1. Serve the Public Interest 2. Respect the Constitution and the Law 3. Demonstrate Personal Integrity 4. Promote Ethical Organizations 5. Strive for Professional Excellence Go to the ASPA website to read the expanded and

detailed more specific Code of Ethics: http://www.aspanet.org/scriptcontent/index_code

ofethics.cfm

New to the endangered species list: Polar Bears

Polar bears are getting quite a lot of media attention these days because of global warming and people are becoming more familiar with them. But here's a

side of them that we don't see every day: The playful side. Above is a wild male polar bear, about 1,200lbs and probably hadn't eaten in 4 months, playing with sled dogs in the North of Manitoba, Canada. This is not a unique event, it happens more often than we

think in nature. Don't try this at home, though.

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Interview with Les Rogers Each year the MPA recognizes an outstanding graduating student, considering classroom achievement, professional conduct, and service to the program and community. The outstanding graduate in 2008 was Les Rogers.

Why did you decide to pursue an MPA? I decided to pursue a MPA, because my father was an oil industry executive and I thought I had a pretty good idea of what the for-profit business world was like and I did not want his life or the challenges he faced on a daily basis. The for-profit business world did not fit my feelings about what I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to. My first job after graduating college was working for a Federal grant that pointed me in the direction of the MPA program and I never looked back.. Was the program about what you expected? Were some things harder? Some things easier than you thought they would be? The program was more difficult than I expected. I came in thinking that not much could be harder than an undergraduate degree in economics with a minor in history, but I was wrong. This program challenged my thinking of the world in that I was coming from the conservative economics point of view of the likes of Milton Friedman that governments are inefficient and should be excised from the market wherever possible. I think I have come a long way in understanding where public servants are coming from, and that there is definitely a place for government, especially in protect-ing those people in society who lack voice/power. What advice would you have for somebody just starting the MPA program? This is a program that is rewarding, but requires sticktoativeness and intestinal fortitude. The key for

making it through the program, and being successful, is forming bonds with classmates and professors and working together. I think the ultimate reward of this program beyond the education is learning about everyone else's careers and how they deal with the challenges of their jobs. Any funny or otherwise memorable moments from your student career? Of the funny/memorable moments from the program I will go with two memorable moments the first is a review session for the Personnel final, which occurred aboard Troy's sail boat while cruising along the Stockton Delta. Another memorable moment was the moment I found out I was going to graduate. I was with my parents in their car on the way from Hobby Airport after 2 years of not seeing them (they were living in Houston at the time), and we all let out one big ol Southern Holler whahooo! I must say that another memorable moment is yet to come when I walk at graduation, and then in a few years yet another moment will be when my sister walks at her graduation from the MPA program. What are you doing with your spare time now that you don't have to study? I am buying a house and that is occupying all and more of my spare time. I am also working with my sister to spread the word about the need for bone marrow donors, and that the procedure to get tested for bone marrow matching only requires a cheek swab What's next on the career ladder? I will continue to teach high school, because the supply of experienced teachers is dwindling and they are desperately needed. Crisis situation does not even begin to describe the state of education in the Central Valley, and without some experienced educators paving the way and helping incoming teachers the atrocious turnover rates will continue to undermine the quality of education. Eventually I will probably get involved in non profit work or perhaps get involved in education at the district, county, or state level in a few years.

If a man has talent and can't use it, he's failed.

If he uses only half of it, he has partly failed. If he uses the whole of it, he has succeeded, and won a satisfaction and triumph few men ever know." Thomas Wolfe 1900 - 1938

(American short story writer and Novelist )

Farewell Paul, I know I am not going to be the

only one that misses you.

Hope you all

have a great Summer

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Aubrey Shuping

New from Isabelle Raby’s Family

Aubrey and Family

Josephine (Josie) Evelyn Hughes busted out of jail on Cinco de Mayo at 11:20 AM in Modesto. Amanda and Josie are both doing great. All systems are go. After a few false labor episodes, Dad was the 'contraction nazi' ...making sure the contractions were close enough, strong enough, and long enough before we went to hospital. By the time we got there Amanda was dilated to 7 cm and Josie was rounding third and heading for home. Oops....too late for the epidural! Amanda dug deep and pushed that kid out (au natural) like she's done it a hundred times. Seriously, it was the most impressive athletic/psychological/spiritual performance I've ever seen. And one of the most beautiful. The stats: 7 lbs 13 oz...19 inches long. Total labor time: 7 hours 20 minutes. Elapsed time between hospital arrival and delivery: 48 minutes. See attached photo for mugshot of the 'outlaw' Josie Hughes.

Another Cinco de Mayo Baby? What is up with that?

Grace Elaine Beltz I have newfound respect for both my wife and my mother. Grace Elaine Beltz weighed in at 7 Lbs 11 ounces, is 19-1,4", and was born at 12:20PM on 5/5/08.

Jaime 2.5, Elijah & Thomas 1.0

The Suarez Boys

Gotta Love Twins!!

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All great questions must be raised by great voices, and the greatest voice is the voice of the people - speaking out - in prose, or painting or poetry or music; speaking out - in homes and halls, streets and farms, courts and cafes - let that

voice speak and the stillness you hear will be the gratitude of mankind. -Robert F. Kennedy

Did you know…

The US standard railroad gauge (distance between the rails) is 4 feet, 8.5 inches. That's an exceedingly odd number. Why was that gauge used? Because that's the way they built them in England, and English expatriates built the US Railroads. Why did the English build them like that? Because the first rail lines were built by the same people who built the pre-railroad tramways, and that's the gauge they used. Why did "they" use that gauge then? Because the people who built the tramways used the same jigs and tools that they used for building wagons, which used that wheel spacing. Okay! Why did the wagons have that particular odd wheel spacing ? Well, if they tried to use any other spacing, the wagon wheels would break on some of the old, long distance roads in England, because that's the spacing of the wheel ruts. So who built those old rutted roads? Imperial Rome built the first long distance roads in Europe (and England) for their legions. The roads have been used ever since. And the ruts in the roads? Roman war chariots formed the initial ruts, which everyone else had to match for fear of destroying their wagon wheels. Since the chariots were made for Imperial Rome, they were all alike in the matter of wheel spacing. The United States standard railroad gauge of 4 feet, 8.5 inches is derived from the original specifications for an Imperial Roman war chariot. And bureaucracies live forever. So the next time you are handed a specification and wonder what horse's arse came up with it, you may be exactly right, because the Imperial Roman army chariots were made just wide enough to accommodate the back ends of two war horses. Now the twist to the story. When you see a Space Shuttle sitting on its launch pad, there are two big booster rockets attached to the sides of the main fuel tank. These are solid rocket boosters, or SRBs. The SRBs are made by Thiokol at their factory at Utah. The engineers who designed the SRBs would have preferred to make them a bit fatter, but the SRBs had to be shipped by train from the factory to the launch site. The railroad line from the factory happens to run through a tunnel in the mountains. The SRBs had to fit through that tunnel. The tunnel is slightly wider than the railroad track, and the railroad track, as you now know, is about as wide as two horses' behinds. So, a major Space Shuttle design feature of what is arguably the world's most advanced transportation system was determined over two thousand years ago by the width of a horse's behind. ... and you thought being a HORSE'S ARSE wasn't important!

The Next Newsletter Will Be Fall 2008 Semester What New Things Are Happening in Your Life? Drop Us a Line and Let Us Know.