Events

The School of Public Affairs and Administration regularly holds events on and around the main campus of Western Michigan University to celebrate various organizations and to welcome new students. Some of our events include:

• Alumni Achievement Awards Ceremony
• Dissertation defenses
• M.P.A. Awards and Accolades Ceremony
• M.P.A. orientation
• Nonprofit Celebration

2022-23

• May 11, 2023-Revisiting the Patchwork of Refugee Integration Policies in the United States: Insights from Three Michigan Cities
• April 13, 2023-Exchange is for Everyone: Strengthening Local Communities through International Engagement
• March 2, 2023-Foundation for Excellence: Community Vision and Transformative Generosity in Kalamazoo
• February 9, 2023-Thoughts From the Field: Improving Grantor-Grantee Relations for the Public Good
• November 10, 2022-Reforming Governance with Privatization in Jordan: A Market-Based Approach
• October 13, 2022-Local Government Challenges in Michigan: An Urban Governance Perspective
• September 8, 2022-Leading Local Government in Michigan: A Test of Max Weber's Theory

2021-22

• April 14, 2022-Leadership Reflection: Impacting Change through Community Colleges
• March 10, 2022-Leading for Change through Housing and Community Support Services in Kalamazoo
• March 9, 2022-Chalabi Dissertation Defense
• February 10, 2022-Let's Get Engaged: The Importance of Staff and Customer Engagement
• January 13, 2022-Work of Nonprofit Organizations in Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• November 11, 2021-Rethinking Michigan County Governance: Juggling Rules and Roles with Resources at Branch County
• October 14, 2021-Insider Perspective on Michigan Public Policy Development and Engagement
• September 21, 2021-We Talk: Moral Courage in Public Service in 208-210 Bernhard Center with free parking in Lot 41. Must register for this event.
• September 9, 2021-Community Reinvestment and Growth: The Muskegon Experience

2020-21

• April 30, 2021-Michigan Municipal Manager Perceptions on LGBTQ+ Inclusion: A Narrative Policy Framework Case Study 
• April 8, 2021-Impact of the Pandemic on Nonprofit Leadership, Fundraising, and Organizational Change
• March 17, 2021-A Study of Communication Practices between Office and Field-Based Personnel in Home Healthcare Agencies
• March 11, 2021-Impacting Social Determinants of Health through Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Our Communities
• March 8, 2021-Mendenhall Dissertation Defense
• February 11, 2021-Intergovernmental Cooperation for Common Challenges
• January 14, 2021-Tribal Non-Gaming Economic Development
• November 11, 2020-Understanding the Latinx Community Needs and Overcoming Challenges in Difficult Times
• October 14, 2020-Effectiveness of Economic Development and its Future in our Communities (Recorded video)
• September 9, 2020-Municipal Policing Challenges in the Era of COVID-19 and George Floyd (Recorded video)
• July 9, 2020-VanBaale Dissertation Defense

2019-20

• June 25, 2020-Virtual Information Session on the M.P.A. Program
• May 5, 2020-Tan Doctoral Dissertation Defense
• March 13, 2020-Brandon Koch Doctoral Dissertation Defense
• March 11, 2020-Navigating the Gauntlet of Public Participation
• February 21, 2020-Graduate College Formatting Workshop
• February 19, 2020-Graduate College Formatting Workshop
• February 18, 2020-Graduate College Formatting Workshop
• February 12, 2020-Frontline Prescription for Meeting Unlimited Need with Limited Resources
• January 8, 2020- CANCELED Understanding the Latinx Community in Kalamazoo
• November 13, 2019 - The Intersection of Tax Policies and the Nonprofit Sector in the U.S.
• October 25, 2019-Aljanahi Doctoral Dissertation Defense
• October 10, 2019 - Using M.P.A. Education in Improving the Governance System and Practices: Experience from Kenya

• September 11, 2019 - Interpersonal Skills, Leadership Learning, and Million Dollar Gifts

• July 12, 2019 - Wijayanti Doctoral Dissertation Defense

2018-19

• May 17, 2019 - Aladlani Doctoral Dissertation Defense

• April 10, 2019 - Responsible Public Budgeting: Emerging Models for Long-Term Financial Sustainability
• March 14, 2019 - Cheng Doctoral Dissertation Defense
• March 13, 2019 - Directions and Challenges in Medical Education in the United States:  An Educator's Perspective
• February 20, 2019 - Security Planning for Today's Public Service Leader: Insights and Experiences
• January 15, 2019 - Norman Doctoral Dissertation Defense
• January 9, 2019 - Regional Government in Michigan
• November 14, 2018 - Emergency Management Law and the Public servant
• October 10, 2018 - Voluntarism and Its Impact on the American Culture
• September 12, 2018 - Using Private Resources for Public Gain: The Kalamazoo Promise Experiment