Department of Public Policy and Administration

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Public Policy and Administration

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25th Anniversary Celebration

students at the 25th anniversary celebrationDon't let the celebration end! 
Donate today.
See more photos on Facebook.

PPA in the Community

  • Rob Wassmer, Professor of Public Policy and Administration at Sacramento State, placed questions related to the condition of CA roads and ways to fund improvements, on the most recent CA statewide Field Poll, that was awarded to him and Professor Ron Fisher (Michigan State University) as part of the Field CSU Academic Fellowship Program. The Press release is here. A Sac Bee article on it is here. He plans tpo conduct further research on this that compares CA results to the same questions asked in MI.
  • PPA Professor Andrea Venezia has co-authored a book, Supporting the Dream: High School-College Partnerships for College and Career Readiness, which is coming out in May. It is currently available for pre-order at Corwin Publications. Congratulations, Andrea!
  • PPA Chair, Mary Kirlin, and PPA Lecturer, Peter Detwiler, have been working with the California Department of State Housing and Community Development on the State Housing Plan. Additionally, Mary Kirlin, recently worked with California State Association of Counties (CSAC), training county officials on how to use data.
  • PPA Lecturer, Peter Detwiler, has been very busy recently. In January he gave a talk about local government structure and powers to a Local Government Law class at McGeorge School of Law. This week he went over to UC Davis and talked to a graduate seminar about the craft of policy committee consulting.
  • On February 21, PPA Lecturer, Peter Detwiler, is on a panel at the Planning & Conservation League’s annual conference, talking about state laws for local land use decisions. On February 26, he’s presenting to the land use and development decision segment of CSAC’s New Supervisors’ Institute, along with Tim Snellings, Butte County’s planning director. On April 15, he’ll be on the Sonoma State campus to talk to an undergraduate Land Use Law class about LAFCOs and land use.

See more at our PPA in the Community page.

@PPASacState

The Master of Public Policy and Administration is an exciting professional degree opportunity for students interested in a public service career. The program draws together the diverse perspectives, technologies and skills now essential to a successful career in public management or in one of the many fields within the public policy arena. Unlike programs with a more limited focus, ours provides skills necessary for management and budgeting, as well as analytical tools helpful for understanding the economic implications of policy choices, evaluating policy options, developing political strategies for advancing proposals, and conducting/assessing research projects. Additionally, consideration of ethics and the public good is infused throughout the curriculum. Our graduate programs can be found at the University's on-line catalog.

The Department also offers:

Department Happenings

Alert to Applicants!

Information Session

Information Session Folsom Hall, Room 1049 Tuesday, March 3rd, 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm Casual attire encouraged. Feel free to just stop by. The California State Auditor is seeking career minded individuals with degrees in accounting, business, finance, economics, or MPA/MPP/MBA/JD graduate degrees. Candidates must have strong analytical and writing skills--and a desire to be challenged--to join our team in Sacramento. No experience is required; we will train you. Students graduating within 9 months are encouraged to apply. We examine problems/issues/alleged mismanagement, and report our findings and recommendations to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. We conduct financial audits, performance audits, and investigations. We put your skills to work right away on challenging and diverse assignments. For example, we have conducted audits and investigations in areas that range from persons with mental illness who own/possess a firearm, to California Universities’ sexual assault/harassment prevention and response practices. We offer a competitive starting salary ($39,900 - $52,500), an outstanding benefits package (which includes four and a half weeks of paid annual leave), and an office environment that supports a balanced lifestyle. If you are interested in working with us to help shape the future of California’s government, attend the information session, or contact a member of our Recruiting Team, at 1-800-555-5207, or e-mail us at recruiter@auditor.ca.gov. Please visit our website at www.auditor.ca.gov for more information about our organization.

California State Auditor
Folsom Hall, room 1049
 Tuesday, March 3rd, 5:00 pm to 6:00pm

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Faculty Author

PPA Professor and IHELP Executive Director, Andrea Venezia, has a book coming out this May, Supporting the Dream: High School-College Partnerships for College and Career Readiness.

It is available for pre-order at Corwin Publications.

25th Anniversary of Public Policy and Administration 

Our celebration event was a resounding success!
You can still be a part of our celebration by making a donation today. The easiest way to make a gift is to go to the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies on-line giving website and selecting Public Policy and Administration Department gift designation. students at the 25th anniversary celebration

Pictured above are some of our amazing students. See more photos on Facebook.

KCRA AdWatch

PPA Professors Charles Gossett and Mary Kirlin and Government Professor Kim Nalder weigh in on KCRA's AdWatch.

Proposition 46 AdWatch segment.

Video still from KCRA AdWatch spot Prop 46. Charles Gossett watching Prop 46 video on his computer.

Proposition 45 Ad Watch segment.

Video still from KCRA AdWatch spot Prop 45. Mary Kirlin watching Prop 45 ad on her computer.

Distinguished Alumni Awards!

Two MPPA Alumni are among those to receive Distinguished Alumni Awards presented by the University and the Sacramento State Alumni Association. They, along with the other awardees, were honored at a reception April 24.
James Mayer, MPPA 1992 • Keri Thomas, MPPA 2006