School of Public Administration Annual Report 2019-2020

Annual Report

2019-2020

The School of Public Administration (SPA) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) offers award-winning, nationally-ranked programs on campus and online.

Whether it is preparing the next generation of pilots, emergency managers, public and nonprofit professionals, faculty members, or honing the skills of public managers--preparing students for public service careers is what we do.

This is a highlight of our many accomplishments during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Enjoy the read!

2

WELCOME Hello and welcome to our School of Public Administration! To say that this has been an exceptional year is a gross understatement. The COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to deal a serious blow to the world and UNO/SPA is no exception.

Fortunately, our students, faculty and staff are following best practices and staying safe. My heart goes out to all who have been affected by this virus and to those who are doing all that they can to minimize its effects.

Many of those people on the front lines for managing this pandemic are students in our School of Public Administration.

Programmatically, we are fortunate that all of our faculty and adjuncts are well-equipped to teach online and remotely. So, while campus is closed and face-toface classes have been moved to remote learning, the impact on students has been minimal. All SPA faculty and staff have stayed in close contact with students to ensure that they are safe and able to complete their course work.

Examples of their extraordinary service include Emergency Management and Disaster Science alum Bridgette Buentter who is Safety Manager for a nonprofit in Houston, Texas called Spring Branch Community Health Center. During the pandemic, Ms. Buentter has been involved in disseminating information to ensure the safety of the organization’s staff and for its patients. The organization offers both telemedicine visits regardless of health coverage, and an open clinic open for appointments as needed.

I couldn’t be prouder of the work being done by our students, faculty and staff during this unprecedented period in our lives. It is in these periods of crisis that the true value of public service comes to the forefront. I am grateful to be part of a team that is so committed to ensuring adherence to core public service values. As stated by our mission and vision, we serve to strengthen public service in a democratic and diverse society, and we aspire to be a pre-eminent resource for public service!

Greg Eckstrom, an MPA student and firefighter/AEMT with the city of Omaha wrote, “With the recent outbreak, our protocols (at the fire station) have changed quite a bit. We take the risk of exposure very seriously, as none of us want to take this home to our families or find ourselves quarantined in our stations with each other…

Stay healthy, stay safe, wash your hands, and keep social distancing! Social distancing isn’t going to stop this, but it will allow our hospitals to avoid being overwhelmed!”

We have much to be proud of. Here’s to another exciting and fulfilling year in the School of Public Administration!

Craig Maher, PhD Director, School of Public Administration University of Nebraska at Omaha

4

SPA FACULT Y & S TAFF PROFESSORS

John Bartle, Dean, College of Public Affairs and Community Service Robert Blair, Local Government Management and Urban Studies Yu-Che Chen, Isaacson Professor, Director, Digital Governance and Analytics Lab, Fellow, Center for Collaboration Science, UNO Carol Ebdon, Public Budgeting and Finance, NAPA Fellow Angela Eikenberry, PhD Program Chair Dale Krane, Emeritus Professor Craig Maher, Director, School of Public Administration Gary Marshall, Public Administration Theory Christine Reed, Emeritus Professor Scott Tarry, Director, Aviation Institute and NASA Space Grant

ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS

Tara Bryan, Master of Public Administration Program Chair, Nonprofit Management A. Bryce Hoflund, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska Chair of Health Care Administration and Policy, Fellow,

Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute Jooho Lee, Associate Director, Digital Governance and Analytics Lab Rebecca Lutte, Aviation Institute Daniel Scheller, Master of Science in Urban Studies Program Chair Namkyung Oh, Chair for the Emergency Disaster Science Program (incoming)

ASSISTANT PROFESSORS

Jodi Benenson, Policy and Nonprofit Management Nuriel Heckler, Administrative Law, Nonprofit, Social Equity Trang Hoang, Public and Nonprofit Budgeting and Finance, HR Management Chenyu “Victor” Huang, Aviation Institute Tom Jamieson, Emergency Management and Disaster Science Njoki Mwarumba, Emergency Management and Disaster Science Danbee Lee, Local Government Management (incoming) Barbara Gomez-Aguinga, Policy and Social Equity (incoming)

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS

Ellen Freeman-Wakefield, Director of SPA Professional Programs Mary Hamilton, Senior Executive in Residence

INSTRUCTIONAL FACULTY

Lowell “Skip” Bailey, Aviation Institute James Harrold, Public Administration Theodore Johnson, Aviation Institute (incoming) Joe Mancuso, Emergency Management and Disaster Science Program Carol RedWing, Emergency Management and Disaster Science (incoming) Eric Taylor, Aviation Institute Scott Vlasek, Aviation Institute Eduardo Zendejas, Tribal Management and Emergency Services Jordan Zendejas, Tribal Management and Emergency Services

SUPPORT STAFF

Nicki Allen, Emergency Management and Disaster Science Program Sarah Krafka, Tribal Management and Emergency Services Gayle Lokey, Aviation Institute Sara Martin, Aviation Institute Ciera Mosley, School of Public Administration Lyndsey Rice, Emergency Management and Disaster Science Program Sue Troester, School of Public Administration Meagan Van Gelder, School of Public Administration

Danbee Lee Assistant Professor local government management, organizational behavior, and research methods

Barbara Gomez-Aguinaga Assistant Professor Public policy, Immigrant policy, public health policy

Namkyung Oh Associate Professor Chair of Emergency Management and Disaster Science Program

NEW FACES IN PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION & URBAN STUDIES Blake Pfeil, School of Public Administration

The School of Public Administration welcomes two new assistant professors, Drs. Danbee Lee and Barbara Gomez-Aguinaga, and a new associate professor and Chair of the Emergency Disaster Management Program, Dr. Namkyung Oh.

Dr. Barbara Gomez-Aguinaga specializes in public policy, immigration policy, public health policy, and racial and ethnic politics and policy. She has worked with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, and her immigration research has been cited in congressional hearings and altered policies in New Mexico’s state legislature.

Dr Danbee Lee’s research interests include local government management, organizational behavior, and research methods. She is currently working on the formation, measurement, and management of bureaucratic reputation within citizen-state interaction, and the effect of organizational reputation on employees’ work attitudes and behavior. Her work has been published in Governance and International Review of Administrative Science (IRAS).

Dr. Namkung Oh specializes in emergency management, inter-agency collaboration, strategic management, and knowledge management in the public sector. Dr. Oh has served as a policy analyst in the Presidential Commission on Policy Planning in South Korea.

6

A TRIBUTE TO DR. BOB BLAIR -Dr. Craig Maher, School of Public Administration

Dr. Robert Blair will be retiring after 31 years of service to UNO. Dr. Blair began his career at UNO in 1989 as Senior Research Associate for the Center for Public Affairs and Community Service. He joined the SPA faculty in 1996, where he played key roles in chairing the Urban Studies Program and extending SPA’s outreach to local governments. The latter is an extension of Dr. Blair’s previous experience as Assistant City Manager for Kearney, NE (1979-81), Personnel Director and Assistant to the Public Works Director for Grand Island (1975-1979). He is an exemplar of what we call a “pracademic” – someone who has the ability to infuse the practice of public administration with the rigor of academia. Chris Anderson, President of the Nebraska City/County Managers Association and member of the Board of Directors of the League of Nebraska Municipalities recently wrote: “Bob’s been a fixture in our organization for many years, providing friendship, guidance and mentorship to many city managers over the years. Bob’s been involved in many of NCMA’s big initiatives over the years. We know he’s one of us and will lend a hand anywhere he can.

Maintaining a strong connection to UNO and CPACS is really beneficial to local government in Nebraska, and Bob has been that critical connection for us. I’m a little sad to see my good friend retire!

From Nathan Johnson, ICMA-CM, Town Manager, Dillon, Colorado: Dr. Blair is an instrumental resource for NCMA where he helped guide different educational tracts, assist with internship programs and develop new projects that benefited the entire NCMA membership. I greatly valued the continued relationship that he has had with the Norwegian City Management delegation. I learned first-hand how valuable of a relationship it was to be part of the exchange program. In addition, Dr. Blair continually helped our membership and the profession in the State of Nebraska. Dr. Blair is a tireless professional that wants to see our profession succeed. His talents are greatly appreciated and admired worldwide.

7

Dr. Blair was instrumental in building relationships between Nebraska city managers, UNO and the University of Agder in Norway. He mentored numerous students in the field of local government who went on to become effective city managers who are now critical to their communities’ growth and success. He is adored by students and respected by colleagues. His presence will be missed.

AVIATION INSTITUTE From left: Joseph Harris, Chenyu “Victor” Huang Ph.D., Alexander Nguyen, and Christopher Kelley.

UNO is home to one of the nation’s best-kept secrets in the sky: its Aviation Institute. Since its inception in 1990, the Institute has soared to great heights, offering students flight instruction and education in the many facets of aviation such as air traffic control, airport management, ground operations and security. How far can you soar with a degree in aviation? The faculty, students and graduates of the Aviation Institute will tell you—the sky’s not even the limit.

UNO Aviation Students Recognized for Innovating, Improving Runway Safety -Brandon Bartling, University Communications

A team of aviation students from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) was awarded first prize at a prestigious national aviation competition for designing a system that aims to reduce the threat of collisions on airport runways.

A panel of industry experts, academic practitioners, and representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) served as judges for the national design competition hosted by the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) of Transportation Research Board (TRB).

Judges selected the UNO team’s design for first prize in the Runway Safety/Runway Incursions/Runway Excursions Challenge category.

Students from UNO’s Aviation Institute designed the Intelligent Runway Status Indication System (IRSIS), a cost-effective solution for general aviation airports that automatically alerts pilots and ground operators to potential runway incursions.

8

Students Joseph Harris, Christopher Kelley, and Alexander Nguyen and faculty advisor Chenyu “Victor” Huang, Ph.D. received the award in Washington D.C. in August.

Each student helped shape the system through their backgrounds and experiences in aviation administration, technical engineering, and piloting.

Most aircraft will be equipped with the primary technology needed for the IRSIS system by 2020.

The ACRP is a program of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.

The UNO team’s winning design leverages existing aviation technology, geofencing, and navigation systems to monitor a three-dimensional area. The system tracks traffic on the ground as well as in the air within the area and detects when there is a risk of collision. When a potential runway incursion is detected, the IRSIS system automatically alerts the pilot and the personnel on the ground.

Additional Aviation Institute highlights include: • Dr. Victor Huang led a student team to a 1st Place finish in the 2019 ACRP University Design Competition for Addressing Airport Needs, which was sponsored by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academies of Science.

• Dr. Rebecca Lutte’s work on behalf of Women in Aviation International was featured in numerous news outlets, including NPR, CNN, and Forbes.

• The Aviation Institute was one of four university aviation programs in the US invited to partner with Southwest Airlines on the Destination 225 Pilot Pathway Program.

“This system was developed for GA airports,” Huang said. “They don’t have enough resources to purchase and maintain expensive million-dollar level equipment for runway incursion prevention, so they needed something feasible and affordable to improve their traffic safety.”

Dr. Rebecca Lutte’s Workforce Report for WiA Her report, which was supported by a grant from the NASA Nebraska Space Grant, was conducted in collaboration with Women in Aviation International, an organization that promotes career opportunities and professional development for girls and women interested in aviation.

Scott E. Tarry, Director Aviation Institute

Dr. Lutte’s work showed that despite the significant efforts made by organizations like Women in Aviation and by like-minded aviation professionals, there is more room across the fields of aviation and aerospace for talented women. In particular, many technical roles, such as flying and maintaining commercial aircraft, are not sufficiently open to women. Only 5% of commercial pilots and 2.4% of maintenance technicians are women, while only 3% of CEO and COO positions at the world’s leading airlines are held by females.

Dr. Rebecca Lutte gained national attention for her recent comprehensive report on the status of women in aviation and aerospace careers, which was featured prominently in media outlets such as CNN, Forbes, and NPR.

Dr. Lutte’s work demonstrates that closing the gender gap in aviation will not only benefit women, but also provide much needed talent and new perspectives to leading and managing commercial aviation into the future.

Dr. Rebecca Lutte’s a distingueshed member of the Aviation Institute and of Women in Aviation International

9

UNO students selected for Destination 225 Program. From top left, going clockwise: Charles Earhart, Micah Schwanke, Hannah Knaust, and Kaleb Ricke.

Four Aviation Students Selected for Destination 225 Program

-Scott Vlasek and Rebecca Lutte, Aviation Institute

UNO offers multiple airline pathway opportunities for their students including programs with Republic Airways, Envoy Air, Mesa Airlines, and ExpressJet. Destination 225° is the first such program for UNO with a major airline and a Part 135 Charter Operator. Dr. Scott Tarry, Director of the Aviation Institute said, “Destination 225° is truly the first partnership of its kind for the aviation industry and we are confident this initiative will have a positive impact on the UNO Aviation Institute and our students. The Destination 225° University Pathway and inter-industry collaboration with operators such as Jet Linx is incredibly well-structured, and we will undoubtedly strengthen our program, ultimately attracting more students and increasing enrollment.”

Destination 225° is a new program launched August 1, 2019

by Southwest Airlines in partnerships with Jet Linx Aviation and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Destination 225° provides multiple pathways for prospective pilots to become hired at Southwest Airlines.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha is one of four collegiate programs in the country selected to be a part of this new and exciting program. This pathway is designed for collegiate aviators whose goal is to fly for Southwest Airlines. Southwest’s “vision is to ease the barriers to becoming a pilot, and guide those who are selected to the University pathway in their next steps: gaining relevant flight experience with a Southwest Airlines planned partner like Jet Linx Aviation, in order to put themselves in position to join the ranks as a Southwest Airlines Pilot. Destination 225° is designed to be highly accessible, cost-effective and innovative.”

The UNO Aviation Institute professional pilot program has experienced significant growth, particularly in the last three years, as demand for airline pilots continues to increase.

Global passenger traffic is forecast to double over the next twenty years according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

10

For the Aviation Institute to be selected as a partner with Destination 225° speaks highly to the quality of education and training being provided at UNO. This program provides new direction and opportunity to the students of the Aviation Institute. It brings together academia, on-demand air transportation, and commercial aviation all under one program. There has never been a better time to become a professional pilot. With the addition of Destination 225°, there have never been more opportunities for professional pilot students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Aviation Institute. It’s a great day to be a Maverick!

NASA NEBRASKA SPACE GRANT AND EPSCOR Fellowships and Internships:

New Course Additions:

In the fall of 2019, the NASA Nebraska Space Grant Consortium awarded 66 fellowships and internships to 30 females and 36 males, 20 of whom are underrepresented minorities. Fellowships were awarded at each of our 11 academic affiliates across the State of Nebraska, with 12 being awarded to UNO students. Of the 66 awards, 5 were NASA internships and 2 were aerospace industry internships.

Two new academic courses at UNO were also supported: a Physics course focused on adapting NASA curricular materials to support new Nebraska standards in Physics Education, and a Science Methods and Design class in Teacher Education focusing on the design and experimentation of high-altitude ballooning.

Trainning Workshops: The Nebraska Space Grant supported more than 24 teacher training workshops to disseminate aerospace education content and curriculum across the state. These were primarily delivered by members of the Nebraska Space Ambassadors.

We engaged 4,329 students throughout all of our programs, with our informal education programs reaching over 88 K-12 teachers, 86 informal educators, and 998 parents and members of the public at large.

NASA EPSCoR Grants: UNO faculty received 4 of the 16 awarded NASA EPSCoR Research Mini-Grants, 7 of the 21 Higher Education MiniGrants, 1 Informal Education Mini-Grant, and 3 Teacher Training Mini-Grants. CPACS faculty member, Rebecca Lutte was the recipient of one of these mini-grants to develop a Women in the Aviation Workforce Report with a goal of determining a baseline number of women in a variety of fields in the aerospace industry to allow for the identification of areas in the industry that are underrepresented.

Diversity: Diversity continues to be a priority for the NASA Nebraska Space Grant. Our target for underrepresented students was 16.7% and we achieved 19.0% underrepresented direct participants. Our target for female participants was 40% and we achieved 47.0% female direct participants.

11

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

AND DISASTER SCIENCE The Bachelor of Emergency Management and Disaster Science from UNO is intended to academically prepare students for employment in the public sector at the local, state, or federal level of government, in numerous agencies, while performing emergency planning, mitigation, response, recovery, and prevention. With a degree in Emergency Management and Disaster Science, students are equipped to plan and respond with the best.

Meet the New Emergency Management and Disaster Science Chair -Lyndsey Rice, Emergency Management and Disaster Science

In the fall of 2020, the Emergency Management and Disaster Science will welcome Dr. Namkung Oh as an Associate Professor and Chair.

Dr. Oh has served as a chair and member of many doctoral dissertation committees. He is an editorial board member of The Korean Journal of Public Administration and a member of several professional associations of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), International Network for Social Network Analysis (INSNA), Korean Association for Public Administration (KAPA), and Urban Affairs Association (UAA). He also organized a non-profit organization, Power of Music (POM), to provide personalized music programs to underserved children.

Dr. Oh joins us from the University of Akron’s Department of Public Administration and Urban Studies. While at the University of Akron he coordinated the MPA curriculum, admissions and other department affairs as the MPA director.

Dr. Oh earned a Ph.D from the University of Pittsburgh in Public Administration and Policy. He also has a Master of Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts with majors in Psychology and Economics, both from Seoul National University.

Dr. Oh’s research agenda has been the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data to enhance public-citizen partnerships for building disaster-resilient communities. His research situates within the theories of systems theory, governance, intergovernmental relationships, organizational learning, and collective decision-making. From these theoretical bases, his research explores how governments at different jurisdictions build networked governance and maintain collaborative relationships with private and non-profit organizations to manage complex policy issues in emergency management. As a policy field for the application of these theories, his research covers community resilience, collective decision-making, crisis communications, and continuity of operation of governments under disasters. He expanded these research topics into the international level and conducted case studies using research partnerships with scholars in multiple countries.

12

In his spare time, Dr. Oh enjoys playing games, traveling, and having chats with friends. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Oh to the School of Public Administration and the Emergency Management and Disaster Science program.

Spotlight on Dr. Tom Jamieson

Spotlight on Dr. Njoki Mwarumba

--Tom Jamieson, School of Public Administration

-Njoki Mwarumba, School of Public Administration

Over the last year, Dr. Tom Jamieson has been continuing to work on research addressing how information and public opinion affect policymaking, especially during periods of crisis.

While many projects remain works in progress, over the past year some of this work has been published or accepted for publication at Environmental Communication, International Journal of Communication, Journal of Experimental Political Science, SAGE Research Methods Cases, and Sustainability.

This year, Dr. Njoki Mwarumba was awarded a grant on Destigmatizing Chinese communities in the face of 2019nCov: Emergency Management Actions to address social vulnerability in Toronto and Nairobi. This grant focuses on people of Chinese heritage and those perceived as Chinese and how they are experiencing direct discriminatory practices and Sinophobia in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The discriminatory practices include allocation of language implying blame, avoidance, business practice evasion, and violence. The key objective of the study is to capture the lived experience of Chinese communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multi-disciplinary team led by Dr. Aaida Mamuji of York University Canada were awarded $499,121 for a two-year study funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Dr. Njoki Mwarumba of the Emergency Management and Disaster Science (EMDS) program at UNO is a principal investigator in the study.

In the classroom, Tom taught introduction to emergency management, political and legal foundations of emergency management, planning, preparedness, and mitigation (undergraduate and graduate), and the emergency management capstone courses. He’s enjoyed getting to know students at UNO and incorporating research into undergraduate courses. In particular, he’s excited about a collaborative research project with members of the Fall 2019 EMGT 3040 class that examines the moral foundations of disaster preparedness spending in the US.

Also this year, Njoki also attended the Conference of Minority Public Administrators (COMPA). Two first year M.P.A. Doctoral students, Shawn Maxwell and Richard K. Nkrumah, and Dr. Njoki Mwarumba of the Emergency Management and Disaster Science (EMDS) program, attended and presented at the 2020 COMPA conference held in Atlanta, Georgia.

The presentation titled ‘Community Health Centers’ Role in Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation’ was the first of a two-phase proposed project. The second phase is underway and proposes a study of Nebraska Community Health Center preparedness and response to COVID-19 in collaboration with the Health Center Association of Nebraska. Additionally, Dr. Bryce Hoflund will be collaborating with Shawn, Richard and Dr. Njoki Mwarumba on the second phase.

Tom has really enjoyed his first year as part of the EMDS program, and he is excited to see what lies ahead for the program and for emergency management more broadly across the world as a critical element for addressing the threats we face in the 21st century.

13

Alyssa Spartz with Lt. Gov. Mike Foley after recieving her Disaster Volunteer Award

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT STUDENT AND MAY 2020 GRADUATE, ALYSSA SPARTZ -Lydnsey Rice, Emergency Management and Disaster Science

Alyssa Spartz, a UNO Emergency Management and Disaster Science student was one of the many deserving honorees selected by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts for recognition at this year’s ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards. On October 25th Alyssa, her parents Dale and Donna Spartz, Academic Advisor Lyndsey Rice, and three former colleagues from the Nebraska Extension office, attended the 2019 ServeNebraska Step Forward Awards Luncheon, where Alyssa received a Disaster Volunteer Award.

Alyssa’s commitment to community exemplifies the true spirit of Nebraska volunteerism. Alyssa was presented the award by Lt. Gov. Mike Foley.

Not only is Alyssa an active volunteer for her community, but she is also a stellar student. This May, she will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management (BSEM) with concentrations in Public Health and Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She will also have completed 3 minors: Sociology, Public Health and Nonprofit Management. Alyssa is an Honor’s student with 3.97 GPA.

Alyssa was one of 15 groups and individuals in the state to receive this honor. The Disaster Volunteer Awards were given to “Individuals and groups that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism, by helping with a special project or ongoing activities, in preparation for or during times of disaster”.

This academic year Alyssa was selected to receive the undergraduate Emergency Management major award.

Through a nomination by her advisor, she was also selected to receive the College of Public Affairs and Community Service Dean’s Award. Alyssa will receive these honors during the Student Honor’s Convocation which will be held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Alyssa’s Emergency Management major allowed her to put her course of study into action by volunteering with the Red Cross in Fremont. Alyssa helped start an emergency housing facility, setting up cots and organizing donations. Post flood, she assisted in cleaning homes of flood survivors and worked with the University of Nebraska Extension Office’s project to rehabilitate the Washington County Fairgrounds which involved power washing, sanding and painting in preparation for the upcoming fair activities.

Speaking of the pandemic, Alyssa plans to pursue a Master of Science in Emergency Preparedness at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in the fall. Her career goals include working in the public health and nonprofit sectors of Emergency Management. We wish Alyssa all the best in her future endeavors.

14

Alumni Spotlight: Lexy Hindt -Nicki Allen, Emergency Management and Disaster Science

Lexy Hindt is a recent graduate of the Emergency Management and Disaster Science (EMDS) program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). Upon graduating, Hindt landed a job with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as the Hazard Mitigation Planning Specialist. Since then, she has been promoted to Deputy State Hazard Mitigation Officer for the State of Nebraska.

In her current role as the Deputy State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Hindt spends a majority of her time managing the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. She is also involved in reviewing mitigation project applications, coordinating mitigation outreach, and attending meetings.

In her last year at UNO, Hindt completed an internship with NEMA in Lincoln, Nebraska. Hindt’s supervisor and close mentor was Preparedness Section Manager, Nikki Weber.

Weber provided many opportunities for Hindt to grow her knowledge about emergency management and excel.

For example, in March 2019, the “one side of Nebraska experienced massive amounts of snowfall while the Eastern side experienced flooding,” says Hindt.

She spent a lot of time in NEMA’s Watch Center answering calls from emergency managers and members of the public on resources available and how to get help. Hindt also created a dashboard which identified counties that had a disaster declaration.

Hindt always knew she wanted to go into a profession that helps others. She comes from a long line of responders in her family. At an early age, she learned to put others before herself. This became especially true in Hindt’s senior year of high school when surrounding towns near Sheldon, Iowa were impacted by flooding. “I was so ready to volunteer and help them recover,” says Hindt. She worked with the local emergency management agency and took notes of the response efforts.

When asked about advice for current and future emergency management students, Hindt emphasized that “emergency management is stressful, but rewarding and a lot of fun.” She also advises students to ask questions saying, “to be effective in emergency management, you need to be able to see the whole picture.”

The EMDS Program is proud of Hindt’s success and the work she is doing with her Emergency Management degree!

Lexy Hindt

Tribal Management Conference -Sarah Krafka, Emergency Management and Disaster Science

This fall, August 20-23, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, FEMA sponsored the Tribal Colleges & University Perspectives in EM Education focus group and conference. Ed Zendejas and Jordan Zendejas were invited to participate and present. The conference gathered Emergency Managers, Tribal Leaders, and educators in Tribal Emergency Management. Ed and Jordan were able to highlight UNO’s Tribal Management and Emergency Services concentration and certificate program.

Some of the topics covered include: The History of Emergency Management, specifically Tribal Emergency Management, The current environment of Tribal Emergency Management, and what makes it unique, Culture and it’s usefulness in approaching preparedness, and other cross-cultural inclusion and communication. A subsequent report was published out of the Conference.

From left to right: Jordan Zendejas, Edouardo Zendejas, and Sarah Krafka

#25 NATIONAL RANKING #4

PUBLIC BUDGETING AND FINANCE

#8

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

#11

NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT

#35

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

LEARN MORE: SPA.UNOMAHA.EDU

MASTER OF PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION A master’s degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Nebraska at Omaha is more than just a professional degree. It’s a gateway to transforming society through a career in public service. It’s a chance to develop your own intellectual identity. It’s a way to gain exposure to people who are already guiding communities, operating nonprofit agencies or helping others in emergency services.

Message From Dr. Tara Bryan, MPA Program Chair: The MPA Program began the 2019-20 academic year with the good news that our nationally-ranked program was reaccredited through 2026 by NASPAA, our accreditation body! Dr. Tara Kolar Bryan began her tenure as MPA Program Chair. This year, one of our goals was to enhance the student experience by improving the academic advising process, streamlining communication, providing additional academic support for students, and offering more electives. We implemented a new program of study process so all students have a roadmap to graduation. We created the MPA Hub on Canvas, which provides resources and MPA information for all students in the program. Dr. Jim Harrold developed a number of online academic resources for students, and we offered multiple electives for students to take.

We have received positive feedback from students. We look forward to making future enhancements in our ongoing effort to foster a student-centered learning environment.

We could not accomplish all the work without the support of our MPA Committee members, including faculty, staff, and our MPA student representative (thanks Stacey Coleman!).

We organize the work through three workgroups: Diversity Inclusion group, Outcomes Assessment group, and MPA Portfolio group. Our team is committed to continuously strengthen our nationally-acclaimed program.

18

Student Engagement: PASA -Meagan Van Gelder, School of Public Administration

MPA students rallied! Along with Dr. Heckler, our students created the Public Administration Student Association (PASA).

PASA is a student-led initiative for students pursuing a graduate degree or professional certificate in UNO’s School of Public Administration.

PASA’s goals are:

UNO’s School of Public Administration Ranks Among Best in Field -Sam Petto, University Communications

Students looking for exceptional education in public affairs will find just that at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS) according to the new 2021 “Best Graduate Schools Rankings” from U.S. News and World Report.

·To provide student voice in the governance of SPA and its programs. ·To serve as a liaison between students, faculty and administrators to advocate for students, support their academic success, and ensure the continued growth of the school. ·To create platforms for members to engage in networking and professional development opportunities for public administration.

The rankings place UNO’s overall public administration programming tied at No. 25 in the nation. Several specialty public administration areas were also ranked highly.

·To expose students to the practical knowledge of today’s public service leaders through holding lecture series, panel discussions, and related events throughout the academic year.

Public Finance and Budgeting tied at No. 4 Local Government tied at No. 8 Nonprofit Management No. 11 Public Management No. 35

·To recognize and celebrate the success and achievements of its members and Alumni.

CPACS Dean John Bartle said the recognition for his college’s programs, based on peer surveys, highlight the programs’ quality and reliability.

“It’s no surprise to see UNO ranked alongside institutions like Duke, Georgetown, Wisconsin and Maryland,” Bartle said.

“We have hired a world-class faculty, and carefully crafted the curriculum to be rigorous and relevant. And while we are nationally ranked, we are also locally engaged: our faculty and students work closely with community partners, nonprofits and governments.”

Deborah Smith-Howell, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies, said the new numbers reflect the intention UNO brings to graduate programming.

“Call it the Maverick way: we recruit faculty who are the best at what they do to develop leaders and equip them to make a difference in their communities and organizations,” Smith-Howell said. “Add cutting-edge research and applied community service and you can see why our graduate programs consistently keep earning these kinds of honors.”

Meet the students who got this group started: President: Hameidah Alsafwani.

Vice President: Franecia Moore.

Executive Treasurer: Annabelle Abisset.

Secretary: Stacey Coleman.

Public Relations Officer: Amy Zeller.

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nuriel Heckler.

All are pictured below minus Dr. Nuriel Heckler.

Vaughan traveled to Dallas to get to the University of Texas at Arlington, one of the hosts of the simulation. On Friday, March 6th she met her fellow participants who came from all over the United States, including Puerto Rico. To break the ice, they had a night of trivia at a reception. The next day was competition day.

Vaughan describes how it got started: We had a brief introduction to the simulation program and the judges. After breakfast, we began the simulation competition. Each “game” had rounds, with rounds being a year in the city. We had to come up with policies, and initiatives to create a more sustainable city with each round, in each game. There were three games total. In my team City 6, we all were designated a city administrator job: city manager, city treasurer, city administrator of social services, city administrator of health services, and city administrator of transportation. We switched the roles with each game.

Outside of the competition, the event became an opportunity for Vaughan to meet other students in public administration and public policy programs from around the country. The passion of the field of public service was abundant among fellow students as they shared their experiences and goals.

Vaughan describes: It was incredibly interesting to speak with other students about their MPA programs. Even during the social aspects of the weekend, we all seemed to never stop talking about public policy and administration. It is truly inspiring to interact and work with other people who are so enthusiastic about public and nonprofit service. It gives me great hope for the future.

MPA Student Spotlight: Vaughan Wehr -Megan Van Gelder, School of Public Administration

Meet MPA student, Vaughan Wehr. She represented UNO’s MPA Program at the 2020 NASPAA-Batten Student Simulation Competition—a day-long event that allows graduate students in public policy and related fields to test their skills on realworld data. Each year, the University of Virginia’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Center for Leadership Simulation and Gaming develops a simulation designed for students of public policy and administration. The simulations give students a chance to apply their knowledge in a realistic situation. They also need to use their skills in leadership, negotiation, and critical thinking.

Although Vaughan’s team did not place in the top three, she gained so much and learn a lot about other programs, how others think, and how we can approach challenges facing our communities.

Vaughan wraps up one of her highlights from this experience: I have honestly learned so much. The simulation experience really gave me the ultimate learning tool: experience. I was able to take the knowledge I have accumulated at UNO and apply it to practice. I will take the lessons I have learned, the people I have met, and the experience with me for the rest of my career.

Vaughan describes the simulation topic they had to tackle in teams: This year, the “theme” was sustainable transportation. We were all put into teams, given jobs, and had to use the citysimulation program to make and implement policies that helped further sustainable transportation for our “simulated” city. Our main goals were to increase public transportation, lower the co2 emissions, and create a booming and healthy society.

20

MPA Alumni Spotlight: Pi Alpha Alpha

-Meagan Van Gelder, School of Public Administration

Pi Alpha Alpha is the Global Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. The purpose of Pi Alpha Alpha is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Its objectives, such as fostering integrity, professionalism, and effective performance, promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. PAA membership identifies those with the highest performance levels in educational programs preparing them for public service careers. We are pleased to put the spotlight on the following new Pi Alpha Alpha recipients this academic year: Tori Barnes Evanjelina Herrera Nicholas Flewelling Parker Guilin Kassi Hartley Brianne Kemp-Schuler Lauren Kimball Rachel Lubischer Nicole Rosenau Kai Sears Travis Shepler Viridiana Almanza Zavala

MPA Alumni Spotlight: Sarah Sjolie

-Meagan Van Gelder, School of Public Administration

Sarah Sjolie (MPA, 2011) was awarded as one of the Ten Outstanding Young Omahans (TOYO). TOYO honors individuals between the ages of 21 and 40 who show exemplary commitment to improving the Omaha community through selfless acts of kindness while excelling in their professional careers. Sarah is the Executive Director of Live Well Omaha, a nonprofit that promotes healthy living.

21

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN

URBAN STUDIES The Master of Science in Urban Studies (MSUS) is the degree for individuals desiring to make a difference in urban areas. This professional degree trains leaders to critically analyze urban problems and to engage residents in the creation of innovative solutions to conditions in the human community, built environment and natural systems.

MSUS Program Updates

-Daniel Scheller, Chair for Masters of Science in Urban Studies

Additionally, the chapter will encourage students to lead and engage communities in processes and institutions to improve the quality of life in urban areas.

The MSUS program formed an advisory board of alumni and community stakeholders and held a retreat in early February to better understand what students need to master coming out of the program.

The charter for Upsilon Sigma, the Urban Studies Honor Society was approved by the parent organization, the Urban Affairs Association. Students with a 3.7 GPA and having completed at least half of the MSUS program are eligible to apply.

The goal of the UNO chapter is to promote the critical analysis of urban problems and the creation of innovative solutions to conditions in the human community, built environment, and natural systems of urban areas.

Information from the retreat will be used to update student learning outcomes and to update the curriculum based upon community needs. The MSUS program formed an advisory board of alumni and community stakeholders and held a retreat in early February to better understand what students need to master coming out of the program.

Information from the retreat will be used to update student learning outcomes and to update the curriculum based upon community needs.

MSUS Student Spotlight: Talia Smith and Diedre Rivera -Daniel Scheller, Chair for Masters of Science in Urban Studies

Talia Smith received a Graduate Assistantship from the Service Learning Academy in the Community Engagement Center.

Talia describes this position as:

Graduate Assistants in the Service

Learning Academy provide

logistical support to UNO, P-12

faculty teams, and community

partners for service learning projects.

Deidre Rivera is currently serving on the Ralston Hinge Project Committee as the city works on new urban development.

This includes facilitating planning meetings with partners, coordinating project events, brainstorming reflection activities, and assessing projects for program evaluation purposes.

Additionally, Graduate Assistants provide support to faculty members wishing to incorporate service learning into their curriculum in order to help promote the growth and sustainability of the Service Learning Academy’s P-16 Initiative.

She works as a community member on the Hinge Project committee, a committee of citizens that meets with officials on Ralston’s Hinge Project. The Hinge Project is a plan for economic and physical urban revitalization in Ralston, Nebraska.

Members meet to discuss potential plans for the projects. For example, a recent meeting was combined with the parking committee and the City Administrator to discuss efficient and possible options for new parking spaces.

PHD IN PUBLIC

ADMINISTRATION We foster a culture of openness where the process of knowledge creation among students is a common enterprise. As our students move through the PhD program, they have opportunities to teach and to work hand-in-hand with faculty. When they graduate, they are prepared to understand and help solve public problems.

NU System Awards SPA PhD Student with Presidential Fellowship -University Communications

The prestigious Presidential Graduate Fellowships are awarded to a select group of NU graduate students each year on the basis of high scholastic performance and personal accomplishment. Fellows receive a stipend provided through the University of Nebraska Foundation that allows them to pursue their studies full-time. Presidential Graduate Fellows are some of the best and brightest students at the University of Nebraska.

As a third year PhD student, Vogel is already turning her scholarship into research for the academic community. Earlier this year, she and colleagues contributed a book chapter on the topic of mobility management and sustainable economic growth through public transit. As part of her Ph.D. program at UNO, Vogel has been involved in several projects including K-12 data compilation, project management associated with mobility management for rural transit, rural transit research and participation with the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency’s Coordinated Transit Subcommittee. She received the Outstanding Student Award from the University of Dayton’s Master of Public Administration program, where she earned her MPA and bachelor’s degree in political science.

Morgan Vogel (pictured on next page) was selected for her impressive research and scholarship, strong community and professional engagement, and passion for public service.

24

Student Honors and Awards

In addition to excellence in the classroom, our PhD students are also scholars and award-winners in the field.

• Morgan Vogel won the 2019-20 University of Nebraska Presidential Fellowship.

• Dell Gines selected for 2020 Black Achievers Award, Greater Kansas City • Xian Gao won the 2019 Digital Governance Junior Scholar Award sponsored by ASPA’s Section on Science and Technology in Government.

• Wei-Jie Liao won the 2020 Outstanding Graduate Paper Award (First Prize), Western Social Science Association.

• Jiseul Kim won the 2020 ASPA Section on Transportation Policy and Administration Best Student Paper Award.

• Elizabeth Gillespie received a research grant from the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Indiana University, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ($60,020)—with Dr. Eikenberry.

• Yunseung Kim won a 2019-20 UNO Dissertation Scholarship.

• Ming Xie won a 2019-20 UNO Dissertation Scholarship and the UNO Helen Hansen Outstanding Graduate Student Award.

• Felipe Blanco was selected for a 2019 APPAM Social Equity and Inclusion Fellowship.

• Ming Xie and Gabrielle L’Esperance selected for the ISTR PhD Student Seminar.

• Megan McGuffey was selected for the 2019 Emerging Engagement Scholars Workshop.

2019-2020 PhD Program Graduates • B. Shine Cho • Elizabeth Gillespie, hired at University of Memphis • Xian Gao, hired at California State University, Los Angeles In addition, 37 out of 46 (80%) of our graduates hold positions at academic institutions. The remainder are primarily in upper-level professional positions in nonprofit, government, or for-profit agencies.

Right: Presidental Fellowship award winner, Morgan Vogel.

Service of Note

• Dell Gines – volunteer consultant, Black Men United.

• Emily (Newman) MacNabb – member UNO Schwalb Center for Israeli and Jewish Studies and Nebraska chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Boards.

• Lora Frecks - Treasurer for ASPA’s Section for Science & Technology in Government (SSTIG).

• Melanie Chapman – member Oak Park Runners Club Board.

• Ming Xie - elected to the ARNOVA Early Scholars leadership team.

• Minshuai Ding – news editor for Long Island Chinese American Association.

• Morgan Vogel – student representative on ASPANebraska Council • Nick Juliano – member Nebraska Juvenile Justice Association and the Boys Town South Omaha Advisory Boards.

• Xian Gao – member Program Committee of the 20th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research (dg.o2019).

PhD Program by the Numbers

• 19 PhD students were funded fully or in part through graduate assistantships this past year.

• Students took part in the 22 conferences and meetings in the U.S. and beyond.

• Students taught the following courses as instructors of record (26 classes taught in total).

• Students authored or co-authored 21 publications.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS Participants in the UNO’s Nebraska Certified Public Manager® Program from all over Sarpy County with some from the South Sioux City Administration and the City of Papillion.

Sarpy County Invests in Employee Professional Development through UNO’s Nebraska Certified Public Manager® Program -Ellen Freeman-Wakefield, School of Public Administration; Charley Steed, University Communications

In 2019 Sarpy County signed a two-year agreement to provide their employees with professional development training with their employer’s full support.

All courses are taught by UNO faculty who teach in the Master of Public Administration Program, as well as public or nonprofit professionals who are recognized experts in the areas they teach.

Participants who go through the Nebraska Certified Public Manager® Program from the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) are armed with skills in managing work through effective planning, developing oneself with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, and performing work with integrity. All of this is done with the assumption that a well-trained public manager provides better service to the public, and with the overarching idea of change leadership to initiate and support change within the organization by implementing strategies to help others adapt to ever-evolving work environments.

The CPM program offers a comprehensive course of study by which public and non-profit managers can acquire and apply best practices and theory to their leadership and management of people, processes, and organizations. The course of study is designed to address competencies that facilitate exceptional job performance and organizational success. The curriculum applies theory to practical problems facing the participant, their agency/department/organization, and citizens.

The certificate is designed with working professionals in mind.

“The Nebraska Certified Public Manager® Program is truly a win-win for both Sarpy County and their employees. Sarpy County is recognizing and investing in their employees, and employees are gaining lifelong knowledge to operate by both personally and professionally,” said Ellen Freeman-Wakefield, Director of Professional Programs of the UNO School of Public Administration. “There’s no reason not to take full advantage of this compelling opportunity for you and your employees today!”

Participants in 2019 were from Sarpy Administration; Sarpy County Jail; Sarpy County 911 Operations and Sarpy County Purchasing. In addition, the group was completed with participants from South Sioux City Administration; and, the City of Papillion.

26

Nebraska Certified Public Manager® Program CPM Program Graduate 11, December 2019. Of the eleven, seven were from Sarpy County and three from the community.

During the year two individuals received jobs and two changed positions. 2020 we have twelve participating in the program, eight, from Sarpy County and three from the community.

Nebraska Municipal Clerk Institute and Academy The Nebraska Municipal Clerk Institute and Academy is an annual continuing education professional training and development program held in Nebraska during March of each year for municipal clerks in Nebraska. This training program is one of a few accredited programs in the country.

Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Certificate The Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Certificate contracted with Education Quest Foundation in Lincoln to provide the training to 18 of their employees. Then in September we started our third cohort and graduated nine in March.

2019-2020 Achievements The School of Public Administration’s Professional Programs continue making waves at the local, national, and international levels.

• The 2019 Annual Board Meeting and conference for the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium (NCPMC) and the American Academy of Certified Public Managers (AACPM). Approx. 70 people attended from across the country, the Netherlands and the Virgin Islands.

• Ellen Freeman-Wakefield served as President of NCPMC in 2019.

• Sarpy County contracted with us to develop their Core Values and Mission. This has been worked on over the last six months.

• Clerks Institute and Academy attendance was down in 2019 due to the flooding which took place. However, we did have 225 register which is up from 2018.

Eight clerks received their Certified Municipal Clerk designation last year.

• Ellen Freeman-Wakefield facilitated the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) strategic plan, which took place over a period of three months.

• Ellen Freeman-Wakefield facilitated Diversity and Inclusion training at the IIMC Annual Conference, and serves on the IIMC Education Advisory Board.

• SPA now partners with the Great Plains Government Finances Officers Association (GPGFOA) to oversee their annual conference. We originally signed a oneyear agreement but, this was extended to a four year agreement in January 2020.

• We will be transitioning the Fund Raising Management Certificate in the Fall of 2020.

Photos from the 2019 Nebraska Municipal Clerk Institute and Academy.

DIGITAL GOVERNANCE AND ANALYTICS LAB

The Digital Governance and Analytics Lab (DGA) Lab focuses on the use of information and communication technologies in public governance and public services. We have broad research areas that include but are not limited to: smart city and collaborative governance, social media adoption and e-participation, and big data/open government. Some areas of interest include governance structure and process, performance evaluation, social media and effects in public sectors, citizen participation, big data analysis, and open data.

2019-2020 DGA Lab Highlights Honors and Awards, Professional Service • A signature project of the DG&A lab includes Nebraska Transit Technology: Dr. Chen serves as the campus CoPI of this five year 2.4 million project. Dr. Lee serves as technology co-lead.

• Dr. Lee received a CPACS Inquiry Award on Citizens’ Use of Electronic Participation Services in Local Government and Its Effects on Their Perceptions of Public Values: A Case of City of Omaha (November, 2019 – June, 2020).

• Dr. Huang and Dr. Chen received a CPACS Inquiry Award on Regulation Compliance and Risk Mitigation of Recreational Drone Users (October, 2019 - June, 2020).

• Dr. Huang received a Transportation Research Board grant for demonstrator development of Intelligent Runway Status Indication System – Cockpit Module.

28

• Dr. Chen was granted university professorship as Isaacson Professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha • Our lab is delighted to welcome Grace (Seoeun) Jung, a first-year doctoral student, as our newest lab member.

She’s interested in nonprofit, digital technology, and social justice.

• Xian Gao is the winner of the 2019 Digital Governance Junior Scholar Award sponsored by ASPA’s Section on Science and Technology in Government. Xian also has one co-authored article, AI innovation for advancing public service: The case of China’s first Administrative Approval Bureau, with our HUST partners published in the dg.o 2019 conference proceedings.

• Yeonkyung Kim attended the 2019 Midwest Public Affairs Conference (MPAC) and presented a co-authored research paper with Dr. Schafer on evidence-based practice and use of evidence in local government’s decision making on policy.

Invited Presentations • Jooho Lee, “Public participation, online technologies, and public values,” Interdisciplinary Research Conversation, co-hosted by the Public Policy Center and Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Consortium at University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, March 28, 2019.

• Jooho Lee, “Performance Improvement Pressure, Citizen Participation Demands, and Interagency Collaboration,” Public Management Research Conference (PMRC), Chapel Hill, NC, June 11-14, 2019.

• Yu-Che Chen, “Artificial Intelligence for Advancing Public Values: A Governance Strategy,” the Public Affairs Institute, National Taiwan University, June 11, 2019.

• Yu-Che Chen, Lecture in the lecture series at the Department of Public Administration, National Chengchi University, Taipei, Taiwan, June 4, 2019.

Select Research Advancements • Chen, Yu-Che and Teng-Wen Chang, (Available online 13 Mar 2019), “Explaining Government’s Online Transparency on Collaborative Policy Platforms: Risk Management and Configurational Conditions,” Public Performance and Management Review • Lee, Jooho and M. Jae Moon. 2020. “The Past, Present, and Future of E-government in Korea: Practice and Research,” Handbook on Politics and Governance in South Korea • Chen, Yu-Che, Lung-Teng Hu, Kuan-Chiu Tseng, Wen-Jong Juang, and Chih-Kai Chang, 2019, “Crossboundary E-Government Systems: Determinants of Performance,” Government Information Quarterly • Kim, Soonhee and Jooho Lee. 2019. “Citizen Participation, Process, and Transparency in Local Government: An Exploratory Study,” Policy Studies Journal • Chen, Yu-Che and Yunseung Kim, 2019, “Adoption of E-Government Services by Small Municipalities,” International Journal of Organizational Theory and Behavior • Kim, Soonhee and Jooho Lee. 2019. “Gender and Active E-Participation in Local Governance: Citizen Participation Values and Social Ties,” International Journal of Public Administration • Lutte, R. K., Huang, C. 2019, Engaging the next generation of aviation professionals, chapter - aviation outreach • Huang, C. 2020, “Further Improving General Aviation Flight Safety: Analysis of Aircraft Accidents during Takeoff,” Collegiate Aviation Review-International • Huang, C. Xie, A., Mendonca, F. A. C. “Factorial Validity of the Flight Risk Assessment Tool in General Aviation Operations,” Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering

NEBRASKA STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE LAB This was a successful year for the Lab as the team secured grant funding and provided the opportunity for collaboration on scholarly research. Dr. Maher secured a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts to develop a fiscal early warning monitoring system for Nebraska’s local governments. The study was presented to the Nebraska Senate. A version of the study is now under review at the journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management.

2019-2020 Lab Highlights • Data collected by the Lab also enabled the team to publish important studies of Nebraska fiscal policy in key academic journals: • Maher, Craig S., Mahbubul Majumder, Wei-Jie Liao and Yansi Liao. 2019. “Spatial Analysis of Local Government Fiscal Condition in Nebraska.”

Socialiniai Tyrimai/Social Research,42(1),19-40.

• Sungho Park, Craig S. Maher and Carol Ebdon.

2018. “Local Property Tax Limits in Nebraska: Within-State Variations in Effects.” Public Administration Quarterly, 42(3): 328-371.

• Sungho Park, Carol Ebdon and Craig Maher, forthcoming, “Interlocal Collaboration and Local Fiscal Structure: Do State Incentives Matter?” Public Budgeting and Finance.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINIS TRATION PUBLICATIONS Published Articles • John Bartle: Address the cause, not the symptoms, of the property tax problem • Jodi Benenson: The State of Nonprofit Advocacy in Nebraska; Focused Engagement: Lessons Learned from Political and Civic Learning and Engagement Focus Groups, Journal of Community Engagement & Higher Education; What’s Past is Prologue? The Role of Gender, Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Prior Nonprofit Sector Experiences on Experiential Philanthropy Course Outcomes, Journal of Nonprofit Education and Leadership; The State of Nonprofit Advocacy in Nebraska; Political Participation, Socioeconomic Status, and Institutional Contexts in Higher Education; Voter Participation, Socioeconomic Status, and Institutional Contexts in Higher Education. The Review of Higher Education; Focused Engagement: Lessons Learned from a Study Assessing Campus Climates for Political Learning and Engagement in Democracy. Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education; Talking about Antisemitism in MPA Classrooms and Beyond.

Journal of Public Affairs Education; Talking about Antisemitism in MPA Classrooms and Beyond. Journal of Public Affairs Education; “The State of Nonprofit Advocacy in Nebraska: Findings from the 2018 Nebraska Nonprofit Advocacy Survey.” Center for Public Affairs Research. University of Nebraska Omaha.

• Tara Bryan: Toward a Contingency Model for the Relationship Between Capacity and Effectiveness in Nonprofit Organizations, Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly; Teaching Strategic Planning and Evaluation: Tools and Techniques; Evaluation capacity for a purpose: Examining managerial use of evaluation data to inform multiple accountabilities • Yu-Che Chen: ICT-enabled Collaborative Open Government: Citizen Participation, Bureaucratic Risk Management, and Transparency, Public Performance and Management Review; Adoption of E-Government Services by Small Municipalities, International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior; Cross-boundary E-Government Systems: Determinants of Performance, Government Information Quarterly • Carol Ebdon: Institutional Arrangements for Public Library Funding and Spending, American Review of Public Administration; Collaborative Governance of Civic Festivals:Brazil, Korea and the United States, book chapter in Urban Studies and Entrepreneurship, Muhammad Naveed Iftickhar, Jonathan Justice, and David Audretsch, editors, Springer; The Case of Public Capital Budgeting and Management Processes in the United States, in Capital Management and Budgeting in the Public Sector, Arwiphawee Kriz, Wie Yusuf, and Natalia Ermasova, editors, IGI Global (2019).

30

• Angela Eikenberry: Discourses of Volunteering and Civic Action in the USA, Voluntas; Reframing nonprofit organizations: Democracy, inclusion, and social change (edited book); Nonprofit/Nongovernmental Organization Sexual Corruption: A Critical Feminist Perspective, book chapter; Social enterprises and democracy in countries with transitional or authoritarian regimes, book chapter.

• Nuri Heckler: Racist Fake News in United States’ History: Lessons for Public Administration, Public Integrity; Whiteness and Masculinity in Nonprofit Organizations: Law, Money, and Institutional Race and Gender, Administrative Theory and Praxis; At the intersections of identities and public service, Melvin & Leigh press; Freedom of speech v. racial justice: Whiteness, antiparallelism, and becoming-minor; Whiteness and work arrangements: Information technology and colorblind nervousness in fedreal service • Trang Hoang: Tax Incentive and Household Saving Strategy: A Regression Discontinuity Approach to CatchUp Contributions, Social Science Journal • Thomas Jamieson: The Effects of Certain and Uncertain Incentives on Effort and Knowledge Accuracy, Journal of Experimental Political Science; Resilience-Focused Journalism: The Motivations, Tactics, and Impact of the Los Angeles Times Coverage of Earthquake Risk, Environmental Communication; Using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk for Experiments on Public Opinion About Public Policy, SAGE Research Methods Cases Part 2; How Development Affects News Media Coverage of Earthquakes: Implications for Disaster Risk Reduction in Observing Communities, Sustainablility • Dale Krane: “Collaborative Governance of Civic Festivals: Brazil, Korea and the United States”, book chapter, Springer press • Jooho Lee: E-government and Digital Governance, book chapter, Routledge Press; “E-government and Digital Governance,” in Chung-in Moon and M. Jae Moon (eds.), Routledge Handbook of Korean Politics and Public Administration; “Citizen Participation, Process, and Transparency in Local Government: An Exploratory Study,” Policy Studies Journal; “Gender and Active E-Participation in Local Governance: Citizen Participation Values and Social Ties,” International Journal of Public Administration • Craig Maher: Toward a Theory of Fiscal Slack, Public Budgeting and Finance; Spatial Analysis of Local Government Fiscal Condition in Nebraska, Social Research; Municipal Referenda Activity in Colorado: Responding to TABOR, Municipal Finance Journal • Gary Marshall: To Last? The Dream of the Dead Father; 1,2,3 and..., The Lacanian Review

THE FUTURE IS

URBAN Urban areas are centers of employment, diversity and progress.

The Omaha metropolitan area will reach

1 million in population by

81%

lives in urban areas

2023

of the state of Nebraska lives in urban areas

55%

of the U.S.

People of color make up

57% of the world

lives in urban areas

this will grow to 68% in 2050

36%

of the workforce nationally

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA AT OMAHA

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

A SUSTAINABLE DEGREE FOR THE FUTURE. Nationally-ranked degree programs with award-winning faculty---the School of Public Administration is a powerhouse of innovators, academics, and social entrepreneurs with an unforgettable reputation.

DEGREE OFFERINGS

» Master of Public Administration » Master of Science in Urban Studies » PhD in Public Administration » Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management » Graduate Certificate in Public Management

402.554.2625 | spa.unomaha.edu | facebook.com/unospa

LEARN MORE AT SPA.UNOMAHA.EDU

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment.