Greetings, alumni, students, friends and affiliates of the Institute of Public Service.
As this academic year comes to a close, we hope that you and your loved ones are safe and well. This year, while challenging in many ways, also brought new opportunities for us to think creatively about how we teach and learn from each other, reimagine our scholarship and reflect on our engagement with communities. As Director of the Institute of Public Service, I have been impressed by how our faculty and staff have stepped up and humbled by all that our students have accomplished while grappling with learning, working and living in these unprecedented times.
In our undergraduate Public Affairs program, our enrollment has been growing and we have been excited to welcome many students who are interested in effecting change in their communities. Over the past year, the faculty and staff have focused on examining how diversity, equity, and inclusion show up in our courses, program and professional development. Public Affairs is also working to broaden our community engagement.
In the Master of Public Administration program, the events of the past year have moved us to reflect on how we can come together to further more inclusive and equitable communities. Our students, faculty and staff have worked to address racism, inequity and the many challenges presented by COVID-19 through their research, courses, events and public service and relief projects within the region. Next fall, we look forward to our campus reopening, and the opportunity to come together to share ideas and expertise in support of public service education for the next generation of leaders.
In this newsletter, we are excited to share a few highlights from our students, faculty, staff and alumni. You can read more about our IPS faculty and staff.
We would also love to hear from all of you! We invite you to share your updates and encourage you to please, keep in touch!
Dr. Chengxin Xu and Isabel Gilbertson investigate discrimination against immigrants in the U.S. healthcare market
This past year, Dr. Chengxin Xu, Assistant Professor in the Institute of Public Service and Isabel Gilbertson (PUBA 2022) began a research project to investigate whether noncitizen immigrants are discriminated against by nursing homes in the United States. The study uses an experimental design that gathers data from 15,000 nursing homes which provide Medicare and Medicaid coverage. Dr. Xu’s study, which focuses predominately on discrimination based on identity and language proficiency of Asian and Latinx immigrants, will add to our understanding of the treatment and biases against immigrant populations in our healthcare system.
The project also provides valuable research experience for PUBA students. Isabel notes, "My work with Dr. Xu on this project has allowed me to contribute to research related to health equity and access and learn about the research process. I have had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Xu and Dr. Danbee Lee (project coauthor from the University of Nebraska at Omaha) regarding experimental design and data collection. This project's examination of discrimination is important, but even more so because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased racism and xenophobia in the United States."
Publication by Adana Protonentis, ChrisTiana ObeySumner and Dr. Rashmi Chordiya highlights the disproportional impact of COVID-19 emergency responses on Washington State students with disabilities.
Adana Protonentis (MPA 2022), ChrisTiana ObeySumner (MNPL 2016 and MPA 2020), and Dr. Rashmi Chordiya recently published an article entitled "Centering the Margins: Restorative and Transformative Justice as our Paths to Social Equity" in the public administration journal Administrative Theory and Praxis. Using the impact of the pandemic on K-12 special education in Washington State as a case study, they argue that an intersectional social justice approach that forefronts and centers those who are hurt the most, is a smart, effective, and equitable way to respond to a crisis. They suggest how crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic provides the profession of public policy and public administration with an opportunity to practice restorative justice with communities that have experienced centuries of hurt and harm through systemic oppression before we collectively move forward to bring transformative justice.
Reflecting on this collaborative research and writing process, Adana Protonentis notes "Working on the article gave me a sense of purpose in the early days of the pandemic. It felt empowering to deepen my understanding of the impact the pandemic was having on some of our most marginalized community members and to work with my wonderful thought partners to amplify these stories and develop a framework for seeking solutions. From an academic perspective, I gained valuable experience going through the process of developing the article and navigating peer review. It was a challenging process, but a fulfilling one - I’m very grateful to have had this opportunity."
ChrisTiana ObeySumner writes, "The opportunity to share space with Adana and Dr. Chordiya was an invaluable gift. This work is imperative and timely, and this process cradled a space for innovation in the name of equity. As we work towards a truly equitable future, I look forward to continuing to co-create tools and pathways forward."
For Dr. Chordiya, “this project marks the beginning of more opportunities for collaboration to produce knowledge and meaningful frameworks to advance social justice and equity work that centers the marginalized groups and communities, builds and cultivates trust in public service, healing justice, and transformative change for liberatory systems.”
Clare Rogers thinks creatively about how to engage youth as an intern with Treehouse
This spring, Clare Rogers (PUBA 2021) interned in the financial resources department at Treehouse where she learned about how nonprofits manage their budgets and helped produce a youth e-newsletter with resources and opportunities for Treehouse youth. Clare writes “I have always been interested in working with youth, so I really liked that Treehouse was such a youth-centered organization. Additionally, I did my senior capstone paper on the relationship between foster youth and success in higher education, which aligns with many of Treehouse’s programs that work to decrease the educational achievement gap of youth in the foster care system. At Treehouse, I’ve been encouraged to be creative in how to increase youth engagement and make Treehouse resources more accessible to youth. This experience has allowed me to see that this is something I’m interested in in the future, and also is showing me the kind of workplace that I want to work in as well.” And for those that may be struggling to find an internship, Clare advises, “Do not to settle on an internship! Find an organization that you’re passionate about and go for it. Being passionate about the work you are doing is going to make the experience much more enjoyable!"
Kameron Green demonstrates his commitment to all people while interning for City of Seattle Council Member Debora Juarez
Kameron Green (PUBA 2021) joined the Public Affairs program after serving in the military. He says he was drawn to the major because the program aligned with his passion for serving people. Working an as intern for Seattle City Council member, Debora Juarez, Kameron researches issues, drafts press releases and responds to constituents’ concerns on topics ranging from the Seattle Police to Homelessness and Education. Kameron says, “Working with indigenous council member, Debora Juarez, who is all about people has been the best possible scenario because it works with my mission, serving people.” He also has advice for those looking for an internship in politics. “Be yourself and know your worth. Know that the skills you are learning in PUBA can help you do the job, and make sure once you get the job, you do it well, as you will never know where it leads.”
Johnny Sithisack hones his financial management skills as a Finance Intern for the Department of Transportation, City of Seattle
This past year, Johnny Sithisack (MPA 2023) has been working as a Finance Intern with the Department of Transportation for the City of Seattle. There, he works closely with senior management in monitoring the progress of several finance portfolios and crafting a collaborative relationship with the Oversight Committee. Reflecting on how the internship links to his MPA degree, Johnny notes “The MPA program has provided me with the finance and policy analytical tools needed to provide objective, transparent reporting while pursuing equity and economic inclusion. In my internship, I’ve enjoyed putting those tools to use for the Department of Transportation as we work to ensure sustainable transportation systems for current and future generations.”
Have an internship to offer?
Our PUBA and MPA students are always looking for professional development opportunities.
Shaunice Wilson (PUBA 2017), Legislative Aide for King County Council
Shaunice Wilson works as a Legislative Aide to King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove. After holding various governmental and non-governmental positions, Shaunice says, “I made the switch back to the government sector because I was looking for something more fast-paced that would allow me to explore multiple topics impacting our community. My favorite part of my job is working with constituents who may need support resolving issues and/or getting connected to resources. COVID has exacerbated pre-existing inequities, making it even harder for our most marginalized communities in King County. We are working to do everything we can to not only solve the issues caused by COVID, but also those root causes that make it hard for all community members (especially those with the least amount of access) to be healthy, happy and safe.”
Reflecting on her Seattle U experience, Shaunice notes “My work connects to my PUBA degree because now I look at the policies, funding AND programming being implemented at the County level to support millions of residents living in the Pacific Northwest. I really have to thank the amazing professors and friends I had at SU for helping me better understand what I want to do. My participation in the International Development Internship Program (IDIP) and my internship in the Dominican Republic were really instrumental in helping me get a better understanding that working with and for community is where I want to be.”
Derrick Belgarde (PUBA 2013, MPA 2015), newly named Executive Director of Chief Seattle Club
Derrick Belgarde is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, and also Chippewa-Cree from Rocky Boy Montana. He received his BA in Public Affairs in 2013 and his Master in Public Administration (MPA) from Seattle University in 2015. Derrick was recently selected Executive Director of chief Seattle Club, an organization dedicated to providing food, health care, and housing assistance to urban Native people. Derrick has been with Chief Seattle Club for over six years where he has been instrumental in developing the organization’s first housing project, Eagle Village, and building an approach to provide shelter and permanent housing for Natives. Chief Seattle Club has two buildings in the works and is trying for a third as, under Derrick’s leadership, they work toward a world without Native homelessness.
Derrick notes that one asset he took from the MPA program is the connections and relationships he formed through alumni and the Seattle University community that have broadened his network and provided him the opportunity to serve on several boards, including Downtown Emergency Service Center, Seattle King County Coalition on Homelessness, Capitol Hill Housing, and the Washington State Affordable Housing Advisory Board.
In discussing his ethical lens in organizational practice, Derrick suggests remaining authentic and cautions against cheapening a focus or mission to gain support. “A good cause and mission will sell itself to the people who care.” He encourages MPA students to “follow their hearts, stay true to themselves and their principles and pursue the changes they want to see through action-oriented steps.”
Alums, we want to hear from you
Dr. Zachary Wood awarded Faculty Research Fellowship to examine how local power arrangements shape community development and local democracy.
Zachary D Wood, PhD, Assistant Professor in the Institute of Public Service was named a recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Summer Faculty Research Fellowship for 2021. Dr. Wood’s fellowship will advance his research with colleagues at Kent State University and the University of Arkansas – Little Rock on the power arrangements of local community development systems and the impacts on local democracy and civic participation. This work posits that local democracy and the norms of civic participation are contingent on the history and structures of local community development systems and how local actors within the system respond to social, economic, and political changes over time. Through the application of a comparative and intersectional power analysis across three case cities – Cleveland, Little Rock, and Seattle, Dr. Wood’s project seeks to illuminate how these local power arrangements shape community development work and local democracy. Without this level of interrogation of power, we are often left with unequal participation, dramatic power imbalances, and misplaced actions to gain access to collective action and transformational change. Dr. Wood will spend this summer doing fieldwork and data collection on the Seattle community development system with a range of practitioners, activists, policymakers, and funders. The project is being developed in collaboration with his colleagues as a book manuscript.
Faculty awards and achievements
Recent Publications
Institute of Public Service and Seattle Town Hall co-host a set of Conversations on leadership, race and the future of Seattle.
We hosted three "Conversations" this year, including “Combating Racial Animus Against the AAPI Community: Solutions for Change” with former U.S. ambassador to China and former Washington Governor Gary Locke, CEO of Treehouse Lisa Chin, and interim Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz. Watch the video of that event and learn about other past events here.
Institute of Public Service students and alumni make the news
All the best to our Public Affairs and Master’s in Public Administration graduates.
We have enjoyed working with you and look forward to hearing about your next adventures.
PUBA senior Sanya Cowal was awarded the Public Affairs Wilson award for academic achievement. Sanya, a Public Affairs and Environmental Studies double major, will begin a doctoral program in Environmental Studies at UC Santa Cruz next fall.
Some of the next steps our recent PUBA grads are taking:
Interested in being a guest speaker in a class or a student mentor? Have an internship or a project that would be a good fit for our PUBA or MPA students? We’d love to hear from you.
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