DePaul University School of Public Service

Graduation weekend is nearly here and we are excited to celebrate the graduating Class of 2024!

Visit the commencement website to plan your trip to Wintrust Arena.

Go to: https://resources.depaul.edu/commencement/Pages/default.aspx

Attention! If you are a graduating SPS student, make sure you get to the Lincoln Park Student Center, Room 120AB, on June 11th or 12th between 10:00 AM and 5:30 PM to pick up your cap and gown (if you selected the campus pickup option), guest tickets, reader card, and other essential materials for your commencement ceremony.

Please join the School of Public Service in congratulating our faculty who are retiring from full-time teaching at the end of the academic year - Dr. Kelly Tzoumis and Dr. Ken Rose!

Dr. Kelly Tzoumis joined DePaul in 2004 and over the past twenty years has taught around a hundred classes on topics like environmental justice, brownfields, statistics and research methods. After fifteen years teaching in the Department of Public Policy, Dr. Tzoumis joined SPS in 2020 when the graduate and undergraduate curriculum merged. Author of three books, with a fourth on the way, recent work by Dr. Tzoumis has been international in scope, partnering with students around the world in Global Learning Exchanges, and advocating for increased accessibility to education at DePaul and beyond for students with disabilities.

Following appointments at the Argonne National Laboratory, The Ohio State University and Michigan State University, Dr. Ken Rose joined DePaul as a part-time faculty member in 2016 before transitioning to the School of Public Service full time. His courses on Governmental Financial Administration, Economic Foundations and Public Service, and Policy Design and Analysis, formed the basis of our MPA and MPP degrees. An economist by training, Dr. Rose brought his teaching to undergraduate students in his Urban and Environmental Economics course, and shared his professional expertise in Energy Policy and the Environment, which he will teach as a part-time faculty member in Fall 2024.

Thanks to both Dr. Tzoumis and Dr. Rose for their commitment to educating the next generation of public service leaders!

Three wonderful SPS alumni returned as panelists for the DePaul Nonprofit Management Association's recent event, "Finding Your Career in Public Service."

Ann Di Paola (MNM '20), Edwin Tobar (MPP '23), and Santa Torrijo-Hernandez (MPP '20) shared valuable insights and experiences with our students. Here are the key takeaways from the session:

1️. Leverage LinkedIn for Networking:
- Connect with DePaul alumni and use 2nd-degree connections.
- Engage with people on LinkedIn whose work you admire.

2. Craft Your Story:
- Systematically think through your story and translate your experiences into relevant job skills.
- Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for interviews to effectively communicate your experiences.

3️. Develop Soft Skills:
- Give examples that show you: are willing to learn, skilled at multi-tasking, understand customer service, and maintain attention to detail. These examples can come from coursework, volunteering, previous roles, or even personal projects.

That's a wrap on DNMA events for this school year. Thank you all for your participation and support! 🙂

Our Spring Quarter scholarships are now open: The McMaster Scholarship and the Ministry Scholarship!

The McMaster Scholarship is a general scholarship for graduate students in the School of Public Service. To be eligible, you must be in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.7) and demonstrate financial need (i.e. have a FAFSA on file). You must write a 250-word statement that describes how your education in SPS is making a difference to you and your career in public service. Apply here by Saturday, June 1: https://depaul.academicworks.com/opportunities/47757

The Ministry Scholarship is for graduate students in the School of Public Service who work or volunteer for a religious organization. You must write a 250-word statement that describes how your education in SPS is making a difference to the work you do for your religious organization. Apply here by Saturday, June 1: https://depaul.academicworks.com/opportunities/47755

(These scholarships are currently available only to U.S. students. International students should keep an eye out for our Parisi Scholarship, which will open in Fall Quarter.)

We are hiring Graduate Assistants (GAs) for the 2024-25 academic year! GAs are graduate students in the School of Public Service who help faculty with research and complete other tasks to help the department run smoothly. They also attend quarterly SPS events and act as the "face" of our School.

As a Graduate Assistant, you'll be rewarded with tuition waivers and a small stipend while gaining invaluable experience in a supportive academic environment. Candidates are selected based on their academic excellence, research and writing skills, and ability to collaborate effectively with faculty and peers.

A "full-time" GA in the School of Public Service works 20 hours per week, while a "part-time" GA works 10 hours per week. GAs must be able to commit to working these hours for the entirety of the academic year: September 2024 through June 2025. In coordination with faculty, GAs can work remotely or in person at our office on the 16th floor of 14 E. Jackson; however, please note that all GAs are expected to attend in-person departmental events throughout the year.

Both U.S. students and international students are welcome to apply! We currently have openings for 5 full-time GAs and 2 part-time GAs. If you were a GA for the School of Public Service this past year, you may re-apply. Here's the link: https://depaul.academicworks.com/opportunities/47751 The deadline is June 7. Good luck!

If you are interning this summer, you may be eligible for a DePaul Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Community- and Project-Based Learning (CPBL) Internship Scholarship!

Among other requirements, you must be a major, minor, or graduate student in the College of LAS (this includes SPS!) and you must have an internship with a nonprofit, NGO, or government entity in which you complete a clearly-defined project.

Apply now through May 19! (If you need more time, don’t worry – the application will be open again from May 27 through June 16.) Visit the website for full details: https://go.depaul.edu/cpbl

The deadline to apply for our Study Abroad trip to India has been extended! You now have until Monday, May 27 to submit your application.

This 5-day trip to India will take place in December 2024, focusing on sustainable international development. After meeting in Mumbai, we'll travel to several remote villages in the hills and valleys of Maharashtra. There, we'll be guests in the homes of village residents and interact with the various community-based groups and social service organizations that serve them.

Learn more and apply here: https://programsabroad.depaul.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10297

Join us for the DePaul Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Alumni Reception on Thursday, May 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, featuring remarks from Dean Vásquez de Velasco. This special event will allow LAS alumni to reengage and reconnect with one another while enjoying beer, wine, soft drinks, and light hors d'oeuvres at River Roast – 315 N LaSalle St in Chicago. Please note, only College of LAS alumni are permitted to register. There is a maximum of one guest per alumnus/a. Register here by Wednesday, May 22: https://bit.ly/4b5ibfJ

DePaul's School of Public Service offers graduate degrees in Public Administration, Public Policy, International Public Service, and Nonprofit Management. Come to DePaul’s virtual Graduate Open House on Thursday, May 16 at 5:00 PM CST and learn why our students have a proven track record of a promotion or a new job within 6 months of graduating. Connect with faculty, admission, and financial aid representatives who will help you achieve your goals. Register here: https://grad.depaul.edu/register/?id=301f18b2-7d25-4dfb-9db0-544e1a378d5f&utm_medium=post&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=grad_prospect&utm_term=Spring%202024&utm_content=Grad%20Open%20House%20Social%20Media%20Group

Please join our student org, DePaul Nonprofit Management Association, in Chaddick Hall (14 E. Jackson 1601) on Wednesday, May 15, from 4:00 PM – 5:20 PM for an alumni panel on Finding Your Career in Public Service. In this in-person event, three recent alumni of the School of Public Service will discuss their perspectives on the job search process and share tips on securing roles in public service organizations. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/finding-your-career-in-public-service-tickets-890571050987

We had an incredible time last week hosting our friends from Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University! The group, which consisted of 17 students and 4 faculty, was in town as part of a GLE/COIL "Plus" collaboration with Prof. Lisa Dietlin in which students from both sides of the pond team up on group projects to solve real-world issues facing nonprofit organizations in Chicago.

While in town, the UK students got to meet their DePaul groupmates face-to-face and participate in activities such as...

- Volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository (2nd photo)
- Lunch with Coleman Entrepreneurship Center, DePaul University and a presentation from Jamila Sameera, CEO of The Tech Unicorn (3rd photo)
- SPS's 29th Annual H. Woods Bowman Public Service Lecture (more on that later!)
- A tour of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, hosted by SPS alum T.J. Johnson (4th photo)
..and they got to present their final projects in a conference room overlooking the macaque monkeys at the Lincoln Park Zoo! 🐒 (5th photo)

If you're an SPS student and want to join in on the fun next year, sign up for Lisa Dietlin's MPS 524 / PPS 358 - The Business of Philanthropy during Spring Quarter!

DePaul University School of Public Service Director and Geography Professor Euan Hague (center in dark glasses) leads a group of students from Faculty of Spatial Sciences - University of Groningen on a tour of Chicago's neighborhoods on April 17.

The Grace School of Applied Diplomacy is hosting this awesome event tonight about careers in the foreign service! Register here: https://depaul.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6JpenN8XBzE47iK

You are invited to meet Camille Dawson, a diplomat with over 24 years of experience shaping diplomatic and public engagement strategies for the U.S. Department of State. Currently serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Camille has held diverse roles across the globe, from China to South Africa. Please register at the link posted below, and we will send you a reminder, along with the hybrid meeting options.

This is today! Also, as part of today’s fair, DePaul University Career Center is hosting a panel featuring alumni currently working within the government and/or non-profit space. The panel will take place from 5:00pm - 5:30pm in the 1898 Lounge (Brownstones) across from 120AB. Informal networking will follow from 5:30pm - 6:00pm.

Graduation and summer are right around the corner, but don’t worry... DePaul University Career Center has got you covered! They'll be having a Public Service & Social Impact Career Fair on Wednesday, April 17, 3:00pm - 6:00pm in Lincoln Park Student Center Room 120AB!

50 employers recruiting for education, health sciences, nonprofit, and government-related jobs and internships are excited to connect with you and talk about the various roles/career paths available to you at their organizations. Stop by for a few minutes and see what employers have to offer! Top employers hiring include the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and more. Check out additional employers here: https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/47530/employers_list

From Kelly Tzoumis's dedicated years of GLE teaching to Lisa Dietlin's course being offered this quarter, the School of Public Service continues to lead in fostering global perspectives. Join us on May 10, 2024, at 9:00 AM CST via Zoom for the Global Learning Experience 10 Year Anniversary Event, where we'll celebrate a decade of transformative global learning experiences at DePaul. You'll hear from founders, faculty, and students about the incredible impact of this program. Kelly Tzoumis and Lisa Dietlin will represent our department as panelists, sharing insights on how the GLE program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) developed by the United Nations. Register here: https://depaul.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJItd-qhqj4uGdRvDxCYgyIpXJeQ4ECOId3P #/registration

Graduation and summer are right around the corner, but don’t worry... DePaul University Career Center has got you covered! They'll be having a Public Service & Social Impact Career Fair on Wednesday, April 17, 3:00pm - 6:00pm in Lincoln Park Student Center Room 120AB!

50 employers recruiting for education, health sciences, nonprofit, and government-related jobs and internships are excited to connect with you and talk about the various roles/career paths available to you at their organizations. Stop by for a few minutes and see what employers have to offer! Top employers hiring include the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund, the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, and more. Check out additional employers here: https://app.joinhandshake.com/career_fairs/47530/employers_list

We're going to India in December to learn about sustaining lives and livelihoods in rural communities! 🇮🇳 After meeting in Mumbai, we'll travel to several remote villages in the hills and valleys of Maharashtra. There, we'll be guests in the homes of village residents and interact with the various community-based groups and social service organizations that serve them. Apply to go on the trip by May 1: https://programsabroad.depaul.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10297

Namaste! You are all extended a warm welcome to come join us on a learning adventure in the hills and valleys of Maharashtra in central India.

📌Apply by May 1st on studyabroad.depaul.edu

The LAS Graduate Student Council and the DePaul Liberal Arts & Social Sciences cordially invite you to our annual conference, where graduate students will present the scholarly and creative work they have completed during the 2023-24 academic year. The theme of this year's conference is "Disciplines in Action."

Although the deadline to submit your work has passed, your presence to show support is greatly appreciated! Students, faculty, staff, and alumni are all welcome to this interdisciplinary gathering, which will feature paper presentations, roundtable discussions, and creative showcases. We'll celebrate the work of our graduate students and recognize the 2024 LAS alumni awardees, including Changemaker of the Year Dr. Clinton Boyd (SOC MA '13), Executive Director of Fathers, Families, & Healthy Communities (FFHC).

Saturday, April 20, 1:00pm - 5:00pm in Lincoln Park Student Center Room 314AB! More info here: https://dehub.depaul.edu/lasgsc/2024-conference-/ We hope to see you there! 🙂

DePaul students and alums are invited to join our student org, DePaul Nonprofit Management Association, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Lurie Children's Hospital on Thursday, April 25! There are only 20 spots available - sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/depaul-nonprofit-management-association-lurie-childrens-hospital-tour-tickets-866849459067

Dr. Kelly Tzoumis and her collaborators are panelists on this upcoming webinar hosted by Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration's Diversity and Social Equity Committee! Friday, April 19 at 11:00 AM CST - Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p4sALSaiQXWbbP8dySs6IQ #/registration

Join NASPAA's Diversity and Social Equity for the first webinar of opportunities. The webinar delves into the significance of building intercultural competencies through global learning to equip learners to effectively advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its primary emphasis lies on fostering peer collaboration across various disciplines to facilitate the implementation of public projects and programs. This objective is accomplished through the development of courses integrating innovative activities and active learning assignments utilizing virtual exchange platforms. These global learning experiences predominantly revolve around the environmental sustainability aspects of the SDGs, necessitating students to transcend their own cultural and geographical boundaries. Faculty members coordinate synchronous experiences for their respective student cohorts so that learners are required to solve problems together.



The webinar panelists, representing countries spanning four continents, have cultivated longstanding partnerships in teaching and facilitating learner engagement in activities spotlighted in the webinar.

Learn more and RSVP at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p4sALSaiQXWbbP8dySs6IQ #/registration

DePaul University is offering a course aimed at data analysis for nonprofit professionals. Working with the Steans Center, the course targets nonprofit organizations in the Chicago region with existing data ready for analysis. In the past, students have been successful analyzing participant surveys, administrative records from client intake/exit, and donor records (when relatively clean). To ensure the project provides value to the partner organizations, organizational staff are encouraged to discuss and refine goals with the professor. See the attached document for more information. Faculty Contact: Danielle Vance-McMullen - [email protected].

Click to complete the partnership interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1myV8ZDi2E0KJiX5yCNzubBBOC_eDuhJyYJvlMk3GWIk/viewform?edit_requested=true

We are delighted that MPP student Rachel Weckbacher (second from the left, holding the sign) represented DePaul’s School of Public Service at this year’s Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Simulation Competition - and led her team to victory!

The event was hosted in person at 12 universities around the world and was also accessible virtually. Rachel took part in the in person event at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. Participants in Michigan were divided into teams that represented countries in a fictional world. This year’s simulation focused on a global migrant emergency caused by one country’s political unrest. Each team, made up of a prime minister and other secretaries, spent five rounds tailoring their policies and budget to respond to their own populace, the actions of other countries, and the influx of asylum seekers. Judges observed each round, asked questions about how and why choices were made, and awarded points. The simulation culminated in each team crafting a policy memo and presenting it to the judges and other students.

Rachel was chosen as Prime Minister of her country and worked in a team with students from Grand Valley State University, Central Michigan University, and Indiana University Bloomington. Her team prioritized human rights and equity in all its decisions, and focused on the need for international collaboration of resources and messaging. Rachel said, “the experience was extremely beneficial, and I would strongly recommend it to other students. It gave me the ability to test the skills I’ve learned throughout the MPP program, and to meet others going into public policy and public administration.” Under her prime ministerial leadership, Rachel’s team won the simulation at the Grand Valley State University location. Congratulations, Rachel!

If you are interning during Spring Quarter, you may be eligible for a DePaul Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Community- and Project-Based Learning (CPBL) Internship Scholarship!

Among other requirements, you must be a student in the College of LAS (this includes SPS!) and you must have an internship with a nonprofit, NGO, or government entity in which you complete a clearly-defined project.

Apply now through March 24! Learn more at http://go.depaul.edu/cpbl.

Kennedy Bartley, an alum of our Public Policy undergraduate program (Class of 2017), has been recognized as the 14th most influential figure in Chicago by Chicago magazine! Bartley, previously a campaign organizer for Mayor Johnson, now leads efforts to enact his agenda, actively shaping progressive governance at City Hall.

Congratulations, Kennedy, on this well-deserved recognition! We're proud to have you as part of our alumni community.

The 50 Most Powerful Chicagoans, Ranked Who’s in charge here? The heavy hitters in our Power 50 know how to use their influence to make things happen in Chicago and beyond.

We're going to India in December with DePaul Study Abroad to learn about sustaining lives and livelihoods in rural communities! Learn more here: https://programsabroad.depaul.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=10297

Looking for a class to take during Spring Quarter? Sign up for Lisa Dietlin's class, The Business of Philanthropy - recognized by the United Nations' Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)!