Alumni Bios
Recent Alumni
Ryan Lofaro
Ryan Lofaro is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University. He received a B.A. in Political Science from FAU and spent one year in the MPA program at the university before entering the Ph.D. program. His current research interests include lived experience representative bureaucracy theory, social construction of target populations, health crisis events, and emergency management. He recently had peer-reviewed articles accepted for publication in Critical Policy Studies, Administrative Theory & Praxis, Public Voices, Contemporary Drug Problems, International Journal of Public Leadership, and Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management. Additionally, he is a 2022 ASPA Founders’ Fellow, member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Honors Society, and recipient of the Graduate Student Thesis and Dissertation Scholarship award, Adriana Castellano Scholarship, John Canada Scholarship, the Florida Atlantic University Presidential Fellowship, and the Florida Atlantic University Dean’s Fellowship.
Dominick Spano
First-generation graduate Dominick John Spano earned his PhD in August 2023 from Florida Atlantic University in four years. His area of study is public administration with a concentration in organizational behavior. In Dominick's dissertation entitled 'Exploring Employee Turnover during the Great Resignation,' he inspected employee turnover and job satisfaction of associates who worked for the private, public, and nonprofit sectors during the period known as the Great Resignation. Dr. Sementelli acted as his committee chair and Dr. Prysmakova and Dr. Gao Liu served as valued committee members that assisted him on his dissertation journey.
Dominick holds multiple publications on subjects including organizational behavior, management, human resources, human behavior, public administration, and public policy. Dominick's work has been featured in Holistica Journal of Business and Public Administration and Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance.
Dominick has acted as a Graduate Teaching Assistant or Instructor for eighteen courses during his tenure at FAU. Teaching is a true passion for Dominick, as he enjoys helping students to grow on a professional and personal level.
Dominick lived in Brooklyn, New York until moving to South Florida to attend college at the University of Miami, and he later earned his MBA from FAU. Dominick has worked in multiple industries, including banking, education, security, and entertainment.
Dominick is proud of all of his accomplishments, but a major reason that he was able to garner such success is due to the individual consideration that he received for his professors at the University of Miami and FAU. He aspires to provide this unprecedented level of care in his future endeavors.
Previous Alumni
Mohamad G. Alkadry, Ph.D.
Mohamad G. Alkadry graduated from FAU in 2000 with a Ph.D. in Public Administration.
Dr. Alkadry currently serves as a Professor Head of the Department of Public Policy at the University of Connecticut. He previously held academic and administrative appointments, and was tenured at Florida International University in Miami, FL, West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, and Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.
Dr. Alkadry’s practitioner experience includes service as a senior research associate at the Center for Urban Redevelopment and Empowerment (Florida Atlantic University) and as a Value-for-Money (performance) Auditor with the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (Ottawa). Dr. Alkadry has authored in excess of fifty community and professional studies in areas of governance and public management.
Jennifer O'Flannery Anderson
I graduated in the Spring of 2005 with a Ph.D. in Public Administration. During my time at FAU, I focused my research and study on public administration and public higher education.
In April of 2008 I was named President and CEO of United Way of Broward County. Currently, I am the Vice President for Advancement and Community Relations at NSU. This has been an exciting change and given me the opportunity to apply the concepts and theories I studied at FAU. I am very grateful for the educational experience.
Jay Boodheshwar
Jay Boodheshwar was appointed to serve the Town of Palm Beach as the Deputy Town Manager in January 2015. He is responsible for the supervision of the Town Clerk's Office, the Office of Information Technology, Risk Management, Emergency Management, and Communications, while providing staff leadership for a variety of Town-wide initiatives. He is also responsible for providing on-going assistance to the Town Manager in running the day-to-day affairs of the Town.
Mr. Boodheshwar first began his service to the Town of Palm Beach as Director of Recreation in January 2006 and was promoted to Director of Recreation and Special Projects in April 2010. Previous to his service with the Town, Mr. Boodheshwar served as the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Massillon, Ohio, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of East Chicago, Indiana, Youth Services Area Manager for the City of Bloomington, Indiana, and as Recreation Supervisor for the Town of Munster, Indiana.
Mr. Boodheshwar earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation Administration from Bowling Green State University. He earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and currently serves on the board of the university's Public Administration Alumni Society.
Mr. Boodheshwar has been very involved in professional associations throughout his career, holding several state-wide offices with the Indiana Parks and Recreation Association and the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association, including service on the Board.
James Capp
James Capp works at Florida Atlantic University as the Assistant Provost for Academic Operations and Planning. As a member of FAU’s academic leadership team, he collaborates with executives on issues of strategic planning, space utilization, and the development, implementation, and assessment of academic initiatives. He also oversees the administration of the Provost's Office daily operations and serves as the Provost's communications officer. Prior to assuming his current position, James served as the FAU Provost office's communications manager, in addition to serving in student affairs as a program manager for FAU's Davie Student Union. He earned his bachelor's degree, with a concentration in English literature, from FAU's Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College. James received his MPA from FAU’s School of Public Administration, where he is currently a PhD student.
Chris Cooper
I received my Bachelor’s or Health Science from Eastern Kentucky University in 2005. I moved to Fort Lauderdale soon after. I began working for the City of Wilton Manors in 2006 as a a Recreation Coordinator. I began my Masters of Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University in 2009. I graduated from FAU in 2012 with my MPA. My most recent position with the City of Wilton Manors is the Administrative Supervisor for the Leisure Services Department. While with the City of Wilton Manors I have been involved in the Florida Recreation and Park Association, the National Recreation and Park Association, Association Society of Public Administration, National Notary Association, and Certified National Wildlife Steward.
Tansu Demir
Assistant Professor
Department of Public Administration
University of Texas – San Antonio
I am an associate professor in the Department of Public Administration at the University of Texas – San Antonio. I have been working here since fall 2008. I received my Ph.D. in public administration in December of 2005 from Florida Atlantic University. After graduation, I worked at the University of Central Florida as a visiting assistant professor. Then, I moved to Illinois for my new job at the University of Illinois – Springfield, and worked there for two years.
I am a native of Turkey. I am holding bachelor and master’s degrees in public administration from Hacettepe University, Ankara. I came to the United States in fall 2001 for my doctoral studies at Florida Atlantic University. Looking back, it was the best educational experience I have ever had. I worked under the direction of Dr. Hugh Miller and wrote a dissertation on the politics-administration dichotomy.
In my current job, I am teaching graduate courses such as public administration, public policy, administrative ethics, strategic planning and management, and Human Resource Management. My research focuses on politics-administration relationship. I have articles published in Public Administration Review, Administration & Society, and International Journal of Public Administration. My research interest include public administration theory, bureaucratic politics, and public policy process.
Kirk Englehardt
Kirk Englehardt has been working in communications and marketing for more than 23 years – with a career that has spanned various domains, from news media to K12 and higher education to scientific research to law enforcement – and now the nonprofit sector.
Kirk is Vice President of Marketing and Communication for the Community Foundation of Broward. The Foundation works with local philanthropists to establish Charitable Funds enabling them to make a significant difference in the lives of others - and in the community.
His career includes a 10 year stop at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta – where he served as Director of Communication for the Georgia Tech Research Institute. He built the first communications team supporting eight large research laboratories and rebranded the organization. Those efforts helped the institute grow its research expenditures from $120M to more than $300M annually. He also spent his final three years serving as Director of Research Communication for the university, leading communication and marketing efforts for Georgia Tech’s entire $750M research enterprise.
Prior to working in higher education, he worked in a number of high-profile communications positions, including Public Information Officer for the Georgia Department of Education, Director of Community Relations for the Broward County Public School System, and Media Relations Specialist for the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. He also spent time as a street reporter for WIOD Newsradio 610 in Miami.
His strategic communication efforts have been recognized with more than 70 different awards from professional organizations such as the Public Relations Society of America, International Association of Business Communicators, National School Public Relations Association, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, the Technology Association of Georgia and the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.
Kirk holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Florida State University (1994) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University (2001).
He is passionate about making complex topics easier to understand and developing communications and marketing strategies that ‘move the needle’ and get real results.
Carolyn Francis-Royer
Carolyn Francis-Royer graduated in December 2014 with a Master’s in Public Administration and an Executive Certificate in Non-Profit Management. While attending FAU, she served on several committees such as Student Conduct Board, Distinguish Teacher of the Year and Strategic Diversity Planning committees. Carolyn was inducted into the
Parliament of OWLs
(Older, Wiser Leaders), an honorary leadership society for alumni who were student leaders and were honored with a commemorative pin of a burrowing owl feather.
She has been a public servant for over 20 years, serving with the City of North Miami and Miami Dade County governments. She served as an Accounting Clerk, Housing Program Coordinator, Community Development Block Grant Administrator and Minimum Housing Officer with the City of North Miami. In her current capacity, she serves as a Procurement Contracting Officer with Miami Dade County, managing over 34 contracts, comprised of various commodities and services for the Public Housing & Community Development Department.
Carolyn’s love for public service drew her to the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), where she joins in the advocacy efforts to support the practice of public administration. She accepted the leadership role as the corresponding secretary in 2015 and continues to successfully serve in that capacity today. She has also served as ASPA’s Scholarship and Awards Committee Chairperson. Additionally, she is an active member of the National Institute of Government Procurement (NIGP), Greater Miami Chapter.
Carolyn’s primary goal is to contribute significantly to public service and to the practice of public administration.
George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D.
I was awarded a Ph.D. degree in Public Administration from the faculty of FAU during its May commencement in 2001. Since I had been a city manager in four major cities for thirty years and at the time I entered the program, planned on remaining in that profession, my efforts to achieve the Ph.D. were not for employment reasons but solely for personal enrichment and a passionate desire to expand my knowledge of Public Administration theory.
Today, I am the the sixth president of Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and although I did not pursue the Ph.D. for employment reasons, acquiring the doctoral degree has enabled me to enter the classroom and teach students at a doctoral research university (NSU), combining my knowledge of public administration theory with practical experiences of administering large municipal organizations.
To me, the Ph.D. program has been one my most rewarding investments that has never diminished and continues to provide enriching dividends.
Daniel Hummel, Ph.D.
I got my undergraduate degree (BA) in International Politics at Pennsylvania State University in 2004. I got my masters degree (MPA) in Public Administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2009. I got my doctorate (Ph.D.) in Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University in 2013. I accepted my first faculty position at Idaho State University in 2013. I have been an assistant professor at the University of Michigan - Flint since 2017.
After completing a year of my master's degree I took a break and traveled to Jakarta, Indonesia to teach English as a Second Language (ESL). I lived there for three years and I got married to my beautiful wife, Dini Purnama Hamid Dasuki, December 24, 2005.
After returning to the United States in 2008 I completed my master's degree and my doctorate. During that time period our first son, Hamza Dasuki Hummel, was born June 25, 2012. I accepted my first faculty appointment at Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID. After spending a year at Bowie State University in Bowie, MD starting in the Fall 2016 I accepted another position at the University of Michigan - Flint starting in the Fall 2017.
I research right-sizing cities which is focused on adjusting the physical and administrative size of cities in response to prolonged population decline for the purposes of fiscal sustainability. In addition, I also research alternative strategies for local government finance, particularly in redevelopment districts. I also work on research related to minorities and immigrants and their interactions and impacts on local government. I have published in the Journal of Urban Affairs, Administration & Society, and Public Budgeting & Finance.
William T. Jackson
William T. Jackson received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from Florida State University. He received his Masters in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and was inducted into Phi Alpha Alpha Honor Society of the National Association of Schools for Public Affairs and Administration.
William served over 12.5 years with the Urban League of Broward County as a Youth Development Counselor, Case Manager, Program Coordinator, Program Manager and Community Justice Division Manager. In his last role with the Urban League as the Community Justice Division Manager; William led and managed the New Diversion Alternatives for Youth program, Healthy Youth Transitions program and Crime Prevention & Intervention program. In addition, William served on and with the Broward Diversion Coalition (Co-Chair); Southeast Florida Crime Prevention Association, Florida Crime Prevention Association, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Racial & Ethnic Disparities (RED) Committee, National Association for Community & Restorative Justice, and Chair for
The Justice Project
Taskforce Committee.
William currently is a Public Affairs Ph.D. student at Florida International University and serves as a Graduate Research Assistant at the FIU Metropolitan Center. William was elected and serves on the Florida Restorative Justice Association Board. William believes in empowering others to act by developing cooperative and collaborative relationships that would benefit the community as a whole; along with challenging the process when it concerns the systemic changes that need to be made in order for the most vulnerable communities in South Florida to succeed and thrive; along with encouraging the heart for others to follow a shared vision of serving those that are in most need of assistance. William is committed to serving individuals, families and communities that have limited access and opportunity; and are in need of a second chance. One of William’s favorite quotes is, “Life is worth living when one has the opportunity of giving.”
Geoffrey Johnson
Geoffrey Johnson currently serves as Assistant Director of Academic Planning in the Office of the Provost at Florida Atlantic University. Under the guidance of the Vice Provost, he initiates and manages the development of legislatively-mandated and administratively-requested academic reports. Geoffrey also manages the activities of many high-ranking university committees and works closely with academic leadership including Vice Presidents, Deans, Associate Provosts, Assistant Provosts, and the staff of the State University of Florida's Board of Governors.
Geoffrey received his master's degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University's College for Design and Social Inquiry in 2014. He received his bachelor's in Health Care Management from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University’s School of Allied Health Sciences. Prior to assuming his current position, Geoffrey worked as an Information Coordinator in the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Analysis at FAU.
Charity Lewis
Charity Lewis is a Congressional Outreach Coordinator working for the US House of Representatives in Florida’s 21st Congressional District since 2013. As an Outreach Coordinator, she acts as a liaison between constituents, agencies, stakeholders and information sources to form effective relationships with the Member of Congress.
Charity began her career in public service first as an intern with the US House and then was subsequently hired on 6 months later as a full- time staff member as a Constituent Services Representative. As a Constituent Services Representative, she handled constituent casework, working with agencies to resolve constituent issues.
Charity is a two-time FAU graduate. First, graduating from Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters in 2013, earning a BA in Sociology and an Undergraduate Certificate in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Then returned to FAU the following year, with encouragement from family and friends, all while also working full time for the US House, earning a Masters in Public Administration in 2017.
JoAnn Lorber
Jo-Ann Lorber is a Battalion Chief for the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She has been with Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue since January 1996. Chief Lorber holds Associates’ degrees in Liberal Arts and Fire Science Technology, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Management, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. Chief Lorber is a 2006 graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) and was an Outstanding Applied Research Award winner in 2004 for her paper on Drowning…The Silent Killer of Children. Jo-Ann has been awarded Chief Fire Officer Designation (CFOD) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence and Certified Emergency Manger (CEM) from the International association of Emergency Managers. Additionally, she is a member of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM), Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA), International Association Fire Chief’s (IAFC), Florida Fire Chiefs Association (FFCA), American Society of Public Administrators (ASPA) and the South Florida Regional Domestic Task Force (RDSTF).
Nancy Meyer-Emericik, Ph.D.
Nancy Meyer-Emerick is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at the Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. She earned both her Ph.D. and MPA at Florida Atlantic University and a B.S. in Environmental Studies at Florida International University. She also holds a Master of Science in Positive Organizational Development and Change (MPOD) from Case Western Reserve University.
Prior to joining the Levin College faculty in 1999, she worked in local and state government, primarily in public works and environmental health. Dr. Meyer-Emerick’s research interests include democratic governance, organizational behavior, environmental health and emergency management. Her book, The Violence Against Women Act of 1994: An Analysis of Intent and Perception, was published in 2001. Other work has been published in Administration & Society, the International Journal of Organization Theory and Behavior, Nonprofit Management and Leadership, Public Administration and Development, Administrative Theory & Praxis and the Journal American Water Works Association. She was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Prešov, Slovakia during the spring 2009 semester where she taught Organizational Behavior and Crisis Management.
Katie Morris
Katie Morris is currently the Assistant Director for Advancement Events at Florida Atlantic University’s Division of Institutional Advancement. Being in this role since the summer of 2017, she has led and delivered meaningful cultivation events and gift announcement events that have assisted the division in bringing in gifts for different areas of the university. Prior to working in Advancement Events, Katie worked as the Donor Relations Graduate Assistant while she pursued her master’s degree and then was promoted to the Donor Relations Coordinator where she facilitated gift acknowledgements to donors, ensured timely recognition of donor life events, and also managed the individualized endowment fund reports, among various other projects. Katie is a two time FAU College for Design and Social Inquiry graduate, completing her bachelor’s degree in Public Management in 2015 and most recently completing her Master’s in Nonprofit Management in May of 2017.
Russell Muñiz
Russell Muniz was appointed Town Clerk of the Town of Southwest Ranches in March 2014. In January 2015, he was appointed Assistant Town Administrator. He has been serving South Florida municipalities since 1995. Russell served as the president of the Broward County Municipal Clerks Association, the Vice President of the South Florida Government Finance Officers and City Clerks Association, and a member of the Broward County City Managers Association. Russell earned his MPA at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in 2009 and he currently serves as a member of the FAU School of Public Administration Advisory Board.
Celeste Murphy Greene, Ph.D.
Dr. Greene is Associate Professor and Program Director for Business and Professional Studies at the University of Virginia’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies. She currently serves as Director of two online Graduate Certificate Programs in Public Administration and Leadership. Dr. Greene is the founding director of UVa’s Graduate Certificate in Public Administration. In addition to her teaching for UVa’s Graduate Public Administration Certificate Program, Dr. Greene has taught at the graduate and undergraduate level at several universities including Florida Gulf Coast University, San Diego State University,and Old Dominion University. Dr. Greene has over 20 years of teaching experience. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History at the University of California, Los Angeles, her Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University, and her Ph.D. in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. Dr. Greene’s research focuses on environmental justice, sustainability, quality of life issues, and social media usage by local government. Her work has appeared in such journals as Public Administration Review,
International Journal of Public Administration, Public Administration Quarterly, Journal of
Health and Human Services Administration, Review of Policy Research and Journal of Business
and Public Affairs.
Adam Reback
I graduated in the Spring of 2006 with a Master of Public Administration. The program was wonderful and helped me focus on a career in public service after graduating from the University of Florida and a doing a lot of traveling. After getting a recommendation from faculty in the MPA Program, I was hired as a Government Operations Consultant for the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County in November 2006. Since then, I have enjoyed a rewarding career in public service where I have worked on things like community health planning, strategic planning, quality improvement, and customer service. For the past few years I have been the Accreditation Coordinator, ensuring our health department meets all the standards set by the Public Health Accreditation Board. I am very grateful for the educational experience of the MPA program, as well as the personal and life enrichment I received.
Sarah K. Saunders
Sarah K. Saunders is the Code Compliance Manager for the City of Miami Beach, Florida. In this capacity she works with city administration, elected officials, staff and the residents and businesses of the City of Miami Beach to ensure adherence to the City’s Code of Laws and Ordinances. Sarah oversees the business processes of the Code Compliance Department, including the customer service center, payroll, budget, public records, training, fines and liens. Sarah previously held positions in the City of Fort Lauderdale and Tamarac where she successfully worked to build strategy and performance management capacity within these organizations. Sarah has a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification which she uses to lead and assist in organizational process improvements. Sarah holds a Master degree in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of South Florida. She is a member of the Florida Association of Code Enforcement (FACE), the International City County Management Association (ICMA), Pi Alpha Alpha and Pi Sigma Alpha.
Paula S. Scott
Paula S. Scott is proud to be a two time FAU graduate. In 2002, Paula earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. While working at WorkForce One and the Urban League of Broward County as a Program Specialist, Paula returned to FAU to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA). Paula values the education she received from FAU and has definitely applied her knowledge to her mission to work to improve the lives of others.
Since graduating with her MPA in 2005, Paula has worked with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) as a Management Analyst/Transit Grants Coordinator. After working at FDOT for about two years, Paula decided to follow her true passion, which is to provide assistance to troubled youth. Paula founded PS Youth Outreach Center, Inc. in April, 2007.
PS Youth Outreach Center, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Broward County which offers a wide array of services to youth and their families. Since opening its doors in October, 2007, the organization has managed to secure contracts and partnerships with various entities, to include: Florida Department of Education, the School Board of Broward County, and Community Foundation of Broward County.
Dragan Staniševski, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science and Public Administration
Mississippi State University
Dragan Staniševski received his Ph.D. in public administration from Florida Atlantic University in 2006. Upon graduation from Florida Atlantic University, Dragan assumed a position of assistant professor of political science and public administration at Mississippi State University. Mississippi State University is a land-grant, doctoral-degree granting academic institution. It is the largest university in the state of Mississippi.
His current research focuses primarily on issues of multiculturalism and diversity in public administration and public policy, public discourse and deliberative democracy, administrative and political theories, and public budgeting and finance. His present teaching includes doctoral and master’s seminars in public budgeting and financial management, graduate and undergraduate courses in diversity and civil rights issues in public administration and policy, a doctoral seminar in qualitative methods, a master’s seminar in research methods, and a graduate seminar in privatization and network governance. His research has been published in such peer-reviewed journals as Administrative Theory & Praxis, International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior, and is forthcoming in Administration & Society. He has also authored or co-authored several book chapters and book reviews and has presented papers at numerous academic conferences.
Karen Sweeting
Karen is a Ph.D. student and graduate assistant in the School of Public Administration at FAU. Karen earned her MPA in 2015 and is currently working on her Ph.D. With a background in human resources, Karen's research interests include cultural intelligence, multiculturalism, diversity, equality in public policy, and organization learning and behavior. Karen is passionate about public service and pursues a deeper understanding of the intricate layers of government to enhance her role as a public service practitioner.
Leslie Taylor, Ph.D.
leslie_taylor@sheriff.org
Research and Development Coordinator
Broward Sheriff’s Office
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
I graduated from Florida Atlantic University’s (FAU) School of Public Administration with a Ph.D. in Public Administration in 2007 specializing in policy and planning. I was a BSO/FAU Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Organizational Development and Accreditation (ODA) at the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) from 2002 to 2003. Prior to completing the doctoral program, I joined BSO as a Research and Development Coordinator in the Staff Services Division. In this capacity, I perform professional supervisory administrative work in the coordination and administration of various activities, programs, and projects for the research, planning and development initiatives of the Sheriff’s Office. Some of these include developing strategic plans, evaluating various project activities, analyzing crime and survey data and coordinating assigned projects. I also coordinate and manage the planning, development, and production of various policy and research papers on public safety issues that impact BSO. I have ten years combined experience conducting research and statistical analysis in public policy issues and several years experience planning and coordinating projects in the public sector.
I have always seen my role as trying to bridge the gap between theory and practice. I believe that theory and research should inform practice but at the same time, the PA discipline still has a lot to learn from the field. The Public Administration doctoral program at FAU has provided me with the theoretical and research foundation to continue to contribute to the discipline by being involved in various academic activities (presentations at ASPA, SECOPA conferences, publications, teaching) and a unique opportunity to develop advanced skills to change practice. Some would call me a “pracademic” so I consider myself to have the best of both worlds.
One of my main interests outside of my work is teaching and I credit the FAU Public Administration doctoral program for helping to strengthen my teaching skills as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA). Teaching has always been rewarding for me and my primary goal is to have a positive impact on the students’ professional career. I have instructed several public administration and policy courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels at FAU and currently teach social science courses at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale. I also teach an executive leadership and critical issues course in the Executive Leadership Program at BSO. My areas of teaching interests are in public policy, public budgeting and finance, program evaluation, and strategic planning; and my research agenda focuses on regional policy and planning, emergency management and state and local government planning. I am a member of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), Pi Alpha Alpha, the International Association of Crime Analysts (IACA), and the International Association of Law Enforcement Planners (IALEP). I am also a member of the Broward Sheriff’s Office/Nova Southeastern University Board of Advisors and the Coordinating Council of Broward (CCB) Quality of Life Committee.
My immediate goal is to continue to enhance my effectiveness as a practitioner, researcher, and a teacher by keeping up with developments in the discipline. It is difficult to predict the future but I someday would like to do applied research in a university-based think tank and intend to teach until I am no longer physically able to do it.
Barika Williams
Barika Williams is a native of Fort Lauderdale, FL where she was educated in Broward County Public Schools. Upon graduation from Blanche Ely High School, Ms. Williams matriculated to Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She also furthered her education by obtaining a Master in Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University.
Ms. Williams has worked for an Elected Official in community engagement where she was responsible for educating Broward County residents, stakeholders and nonprofit organizations on property assessments and home ownership. She later transitioned into a new role within the City Manager’s Office of a local municipality, where she managed and graduated two Local Government Academy’s, spearheaded a partnership between the City & Haiti CityLinks Exchange Program and other city initiatives. Currently, she serves as a Broward Advisor for Continuing Education (BRACE), where she empowers high school students with scholarships and professional development opportunities to develop a post-graduation plan for their future.
Ms. Williams is passionate about civic engagement and has contributed her time to various nonprofit organizations. The Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals Network (ULBCYPN) has been a pillar for her volunteerism, as she was awarded for leadership during her term as Vice President of Programs. Additionally, during her tenure as VP of Programs, she managed the “College Tour Program” where professionals of all disciplines could share their college experience with local high school students.