Dean’s Message: College of Community and Public Affairs Newsletter

In the College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA), our classes are just the beginning of a rich learning experience that sets our students on the path to changing the world and empowering others.

Our students make a positive social and economic impact in our communities —at the local, national and global level — by taking the skills they develop in the classroom into their wide-ranging internships and careers. This couldn’t be achieved without the benefit of the strong relationships CCPA students forge with our expert faculty, who lead the way through their cutting-edge research and academic accomplishments.

You’ll find some inspiring stories in this summer’s digital newsletter, but we have many others that also showcase CCPA’s contributions to improving our world.

Among them:

• Adam Laats, professor in the Department of Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership, who was recently recognized for his contributions to the evolving conversations surrounding education.

• Komla Dzigbede, associate professor and chair in the Department of Public Administration, who has been studying how the intricacies of school district debt strategies affect student outcomes.

• Daniel Bell, who graduated from our Master of Social Work program, who shared his harrowing experience undergoing three brain surgeries that helped him chart a path to a career dedicated to helping others.

On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, thank you for your continuing support. As we look forward, CCPA will continue to serve as the best training ground possible for the next generation of local, national and global leaders affecting social change and improving the quality of life for all.