2006 Alumni Awards
Please go to Alumni Awards for additional information and photos of the event

The Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy honored five distinguished alumni at the Alumni Reception and Awards ceremony, held at the Rockefeller Institute of Government. Dean Jeffrey Straussman hosted nearly 100 guests, including honorees, faculty, and staff as well as current and former students.  

Denise M. Sheehan Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation gave the keynote speech, entitled "The Effective Use of Collaboration in Environmental Management," after having received the Distinguished Alumna Award for Public Administration and Policy in 2005.

The Rockefeller College honored Lawrence J. Korb with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in Political Science. Dr. Korb received his Ph.D. in 1969 and currently is a senior fellow for the Center of American Progress and Senior Adviser to the Center of Defense Information. During his career, Dr. Korb was a member of the Defense Advisory Committee for President – Elect Reagan and a member of the Defense Issues Group for President – Elect George Herbert Walker Bush. In addition to these positions, Dr. Korb has helped various faculty positions including Dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburg.

The Distinguished Alumna Award in Public Administration was awarded to Anne McCartt who received her Ph.D. in 1988 from Rockefeller College. Dr. McCartt is Vice President, Research with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety where she has worked for more than 20 years. She has authored more than 100 technical reports and papers in such areas as distracted driving, alcohol impaired driving and large truck safety. Dr. McCartt has also developed and delivered training programs for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the New york State Public Service Workshop Programs as well as others. 

Frank J. Mauro received the Distinguished Service award.  Mr. Mauro is currently the Executive Direct of the Fiscal Policy Institute, a non profit research and education organization that focuses on issues related to state and local finances and the state’s economy. Prior to this appointment, Frank was Deputy Director of the State University of New York’s Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government. He has also taught various college and graduate school courses with a particular emphasis on courses that involve both economic and political analysis, including an undergraduate survey course in the “Government and Politics of New York State” here at the University At Albany.  

Laurie N. DiPadova–Stocks, Dean of the Hauptmann School for Public Affairs was awarded the College’s Extended Learning Leadership Award for her focus on connecting adult learners in public service to those that they serve. She has developed various initiatives in this field. As Dean she has engaged in developing curriculum options that meet the needs of those adult learners who frequently take courses online or at remote campuses. Dean DiPadova-Stocks is known as an outspoken proponent for the moral responsibility of higher education in a democratic society. Prior to her appointment at Park University, she served as founding director of the Scripps Howard Center for Civil Engagement at Northern Kentucky University where she launched NKU’s service – learning program with a highly competitive grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Jennifer Givner received the Young Alumni Award; she is currently serving as Press Secretary for the Department of Buildings, the primary spokesperson for the agency on all public initiatives and responding to media inquiries for building and construction accidents. Ms. Givner also composes speeches and presentations for the Commissioner and executive staff members and coordinates communication and public affairs strategy between the agency and the Mayor’s Office. Ms. Givner has served the City and State of New York for nearly seven years, prior to joining the Buildings Department she worked as an Operations and Strategic Analyst for the Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

Advisory Board Meets in Albany October 26-27

The Rockefeller College Advisory Board made their first visit to the College since the founding of the Advisory Board by former Dean Frank Thompson. The Advisory Board has two chapters, one in New York City and another in Washington D.C and they usually hold their biannual meetings in either of these locations. However, this was a perfect opportunity for the Advisory Board members to meet our new dean, Jeffrey Straussman, and see the college, some for the first time since graduation. Read More

For the full text of the announcment, please click here

UAlbany Foundation Announces Citizen Laureate Winners
Award recipients will be honored at a black-tie event on Sept. 21, Hall of Springs

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 31, 2006) -- R. Mark Sullivan, president of The College of Saint Rose; Richard C. Liebich, CEO of Cerbide Inc., Advanced Material Technology, Inc., and the Charitable Leadership Foundation as well as other charities; and Frank J. Thompson, faculty member and former dean of the University at Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, have been named recipients of the 2006 University at Albany Foundation Citizen Laureate Awards.

For more than twenty-six years, the Foundation's Citizen Laureate Awards have honored outstanding leaders in business and industry, government and academia, and are the highest honors bestowed by the University at Albany Foundation. Sullivan and Liebich will receive the Community Laureate Award, while Thompson will receive the Academic Laureate Award.

The award recipients will be honored at a black-tie dinner on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs. Cocktails will be from 6 to 7 p.m. with the awards program and dinner to follow. Funds raised through this event will benefit the University at Albany through the University at Albany Foundation. Sponsorship of the dinner at $2,000 for a table of ten or $1,600 for a table of eight entitles an organization or group of individuals to priority seating, a prominent listing in the program and special acknowledgment at the event. Individual tickets are available for $150. For ticket information, call (518) 442-5310.

FRANK J. THOMPSON

Frank J. Thompson helmed the University at Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy for 17 years as interim provost and dean, and has been on the faculty of the college as a full professor since leaving the post in January of this year.

During his tenure, Thompson raised the levels of teaching, research, service, and development, in turn advancing the college's visibility and national reputation. Under his leadership, Rockefeller College has been ranked in the top 10 of more than 250 public affairs graduate programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Over the last five years, the college has generated $15-20 million annually in external grants and contracts, pursuing a broad variety of domestic and international projects ranging from state workforce training to institution-building in new democracies.

As dean, Thompson instituted partnerships with state and national political leaders and groups to advance programs such as internships in the New York State Legislature and the Washington, D.C. political arena, a graduate certificate in Public Security developed with the New York State Office of Homeland Security, and a specialty in financial market regulation. He founded the Rockefeller College Advisory Board, comprising outstanding leaders of the public and private sectors.

Thompson has served as president of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), and has been a member of governance committees of the American Political Science Association, the Association for Public Analysis and Management and the American Society for Public Administration. In recognition of his scholarship and his leadership, Thompson was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, a select group of 500 scholars and practitioners from across the United States. He served as executive director of the National Commission on State and Local Public Service, which presented its reports on enhancing state and local government performance to President Bill Clinton at a special White House event. He published four books while dean, including Revitalizing State and Local Public Service (Jossey-Bass, 1993), and Medicaid and Devolution: A View from the States (Brookings Institution Press, 1998).

Founded in 1967, the University at Albany Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the University at Albany. It is responsible for promoting, administering and investing charitable gifts and grants to benefit the University. In addition, it owns and operates a growing real estate portfolio, which includes the University's east campus in East Greenbush, home to UAlbany's school of Public Health and the Gen*NY*Sis Center for Excellence in Cancer Genomics. The foundation is committed to playing a significant role in supporting programs and research that contribute to the economic development of the Capital Region and New York State.

As co-chair of the New Political Science section of APSA, Prof. Jones hosted the section’s annual Plenary event which featured a keynote address by the Honorable John Conyers (D-Michigan). In addition, the section presented Conyers with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Public Service to mark his four decades in Congress. At the reception that followed, which was generously co-sponsored by

Finally, Professor Jones participated in two professional development activities that are uniquely available to conference attendees:

• “A Short Course on Borders” which highlighted scholarship on US-Mexican border relations and Mexican immigrant settlement throughout the US ;
• Immigrants and US Politics Working Group where scholars sharing this interest meet and discuss conference activities and immigrant politics.
  

PhD Student Kathleen A. Kelly FNP, MS, MPH takes a TRIPP to higher-quality healthcare at prestigious annual conference.

Translating high-quality medical research into clinical practice and policy is never as straight-forward as one might think. There is on average, a 17-year research to practice or evidence to practice gap within health care that is deemed unacceptable to all stakeholders (Clancy& Cronin, 2005). This significant delay undoubtedly contributes to the quality of care chasm that prevails today and countless missed opportunities for improving health care.

While billions of dollars are spent annually on basic scientific research, relatively little is spent on or known about how to translate ‘best practice” models of care across practice settings, or how to drive critical new scientific evidence down to the point of medical and health policy decision making. In recent years the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) have invested more heavily in research that is directed at better understanding why hospitals, doctors, and policymakers find it difficult to change practices and policies to better fit our evolving knowledge of the human body and more readily incorporate new clinical research findings into practice. Despite the trend over the past 15 years toward more evidence-based practice and decision making, many barriers still preclude effective knowledge transfer and the implementation of new research findings into practice and policy formulation.

Kelly has devoted her dissertation work to this emerging area of policy research and recently presented her early results as part of a distinguished panel at the Lewin Group's annual conference on Translating Research into Practice and Policy (TRIPP), co-sponsored by NIH, NCI, and AHRQ. Entitled “Translating Research into Practice: The Physicians’ Perspective.” Ms. Kelly presented an exploratory, qualitative study that she conducted over the past year that identified barriers to knowledge utilization and the incorporation of new clinical research findings into medical decision making. Ms. Kelly plans to use this initial study as a springboard for her dissertation research on the same topic. Using a cross-sectional study design, a large sample of physicians will be surveyed to further evaluate how physicians translate new clinical research findings into practice. Kathy also intends to assess physicians’ perception of the newly emerging pay-for-performance system that is designed to more closely align physician performance with financial incentives. Lead federal agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services contend that this approach will promote greater adherence of physicians to evidence-based treatment recommendations and practice guidelines, reduce inefficiencies and better control rising health care costs.

For more information on the conference, please visit:

This past summer Professor Morton Schoolman, of the Department of Political Science, was invited to lecture in a Fulbright Seminar held at the beautiful Smolny Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. Held during the last week of June, the seminar focused on the topic of "Communication as Consumption."

As a professor of public policy, the former President of the Albany Common Council, and Professor in Residence at the New York State Assembly Internship Program, Desfosses is frequently called upon to do legislative consulting throughout the developing world.  She also conducted workshops for Members of Parliament in Morocco this summer on "Negotiations in Legislative-Executive Relations," "Fact-Finding Investigations by Parliament," "Public Hearings," and "Freedom of Information Laws."

The Haynes-Davis Memorial Scholarship Award – Norma Malfatti

Presidential Award – Triparna Vasavada

The Karen R. Hitchcock New Frontiers Fund (Varied) – Xiaolei Chen and Deneen Hatmaker

Seven from Rockefeller College appointed to the position New York State Public Management Intern. Erika M. Bacher, Director, Public Management Institute writes in a letter to David Liebschutz, director of the Career and Alumni Program, "The competition for positions was stiff and this appointment is a reflection of the excellent preparation you and your facility provided. As the Public Management Institute attracts talented individuals from graduate programs across the country, this appointment represents a significant accomplishment."

The appointees are:
Adrianna De Leon (MPA, 2005)
Meghan Dudley (Political Science, 2004)
Jordan Gobrecht (MPP, 2006)
Lisa McMahon (MPP, 2006)
Erin Boyce (MPP, 2006)
Kristina Patyjewicz (MPA, 2006
Jeffrey Mapes (MPP, 2006)

Two from Rockefeller College receive the 2006 President's Award for Excellence

Each year, the University at Albany honors special members of its community with Excellence Awards denoting exceptional contributions to the life of the campus.

David Liebschutz, Excellence in Teaching (Adjunct and Part Time)	Deborah Brown. Excellence in Support Service	Video Requires a media player Download: Windows Media Player Real Player

Unviversity Awards page

Release

HOWARD AND DAWES TO RECEIVE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AWARDS

Empire State Capital Area Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration to Present Awards at State Fiscal Symposium in May.

ALBANY, NY – May 1, 2006 – The Empire State Capital Area Chapter (ESCAC) of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), the nation's most respected society representing all forums in the public service arena, today announced the recipients of its two most prestigious awards to be presented at the annual ASPA Awards Luncheon on Monday, May 22, 2006 at the Empire State Plaza.

William F. Howard, Acting Chief of Staff to Governor George Pataki, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Alfred E. Smith Award and Dr. Sharon Dawes, Director for the Center for Technology in Government at the University at Albany, has been selected as the recipient of the Charles Evans Hughes Award. “Both Mr. Howard and Dr. Dawes should be commended for their tireless efforts on behalf of the citizens of New York State,” said Dr. Michael Christakis, President of the Albany-based ASPA chapter. “These awards are a testament to their life-time of achievements and are a fitting recognition of their accomplishments.”

The Alfred E. Smith Award is presented in recognition of outstanding individual service and initiative, which may consist of a singular accomplishment that has exemplified superior management and administration within New York State. Geroge C. Sinnott, Chief Executive Office of the New York State Bridge Authority, in his letter nominating Mr. Howard commented, “Throughout the course of our lives we may be fortunate enough to encounter ordinary people who do extraordinary things without expectation of recognition or reward. Mr. Howard would certainly qualify as one of those individuals, as he maintains a distinguished record of meritorious public service which spans two decades.”

Prior to his appointment as Acting Chief of Staff to Governor Pataki, William F. Howard served as First Deputy Secretary to the Governor assisting in the day-to-day operations of state government. Howard’s responsibilities included labor, civil service and military issues, and general governmental administration. During the days following the September 11 th attacks, Mr. Howard helped coordinate the State’s response efforts and was awarded the Defense of Liberty Medal for his efforts. In the wake of the attacks, Howard directed and coordinated the State’s homeland security efforts, bringing the agencies of New York State government together and helping establish a State Homeland Security Team regarded as one of the finest in the country. Mr. Howard possesses a number of accomplishments prior to September 2001 having served as a key advisor to Governor Pataki on labor, pension and public employee issues, and serving as Assistant Director of State Operations until 1999. More recently, Mr. Howard has been instrumental in coordinating the State’s response effort to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma including New York State National Guard personnel and equipment to assist in rescue.

The Charles Evans Hughes Award is presented in recognition of outstanding individual service that has exemplified superior management and administration within New York State over an extended period of time. More than a decade ago, Dr. Sharon Dawes became the first Director of the then-new Center for Technology in Government (CTG) at the University at Albany and “set out to create a new kind of partnership between research and practice in New York State government,” writes nominator Theresa Pardo.

Over the past thirteen years the Center for Technology in Government has engaged in 29 partnership projects that have helped to improve the services and operations of state, local, and federal government agencies. Under Dawes’ leadership, the Center has collaborated with nearly 100 government agencies, 42 private companies, and 14 academic institutions and research organizations. Additionally, the Center has developed and evaluated 12 prototype systems that answered critical policy, management, organizational, and technology questions. In 1997, Dawes won Governing Magazine’s Public Official of the Year for building a culture of collaboration and cooperation among New York State’s “sprawling information management structure.” In 2004, Dawes was named by Government Technology a “Top 25 Doer, Dreamer and Driver.” In addition to her responsibilities as Director of CTG, Dawes is an Associate Professor of Public Administration and Policy at the University at Albany and a Fellow o the National Academy of Public Administration.

Mr. Howard and Dr. Dawes will be presented their awards at the annual ASPA Awards Luncheon on Monday, May 22, 2006 at the Empire State Plaza, this year held as part of the Fiscal Symposium co-sponsored by the State Academy of Public Administration (SAPA) and the Empire State Capital Area Chapter (ESCAC) of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) .

Contact: Dr. Michael N. Christakis, PresidentEmpire State Capital Area ChapterAmerican Society for Public Administration (518) 331-6231

Jeffrey D. Straussman Named Dean
of Rockefeller College

Contact: Catherine Herman (518) 437-4980

Straussman, a life-long resident of New York, completed his master's degree at Hunter College and earned a doctorate in political science from the City University of New York in 1975. He taught at Michigan State University before joining the Syracuse faculty in 1979. At Syracuse, he served as chair of the Department of Public Administration as well as associate dean, among other roles. He was recognized for superior teaching in 1999, when he became the Maxwell Professor of Teaching Excellence.

University at Albany President Kermit L. Hall called Straussman a "top scholar, master teacher, and institutional leader."

"Dr. Straussman comes to the University with a unambiguous mission, and vision, to take Rockefeller College along its impressive continuum to even higher prominence in international education," Hall said. "Rockefeller has a lengthy history of recognition for research and public service, and he'll build on this solid foundation by expanding the faculty, creating enhanced academic programs, and serving as a beacon of excellence in research on politics. I am grateful to Dean Julie Horney for leading this vital search, and to the Rockefeller Dean Search Committee and Rockefeller Interim Dean Helen Desfosses for their commitment to the University and to the process."

"I am already impressed by the quality and dedication of the faculty and staff of Rockefeller College," Straussman said, "and, together, we will further enhance the reputation of the College as one of the nation's top institutions dedicated to both the study and practice of political science, public affairs and public policy."

"I am very excited that Jeff Straussman will be joining UAlbany as dean of Rockefeller College," said Dean Julie Horney, who chaired the search committee. "Jeff's experience in various leadership positions at Syracuse University, his involvement with national public affairs organizations, and his genuine concern for faculty and students were some of the factors that led the search committee to enthusiastically recommend him to take on this leadership role in one of the university's outstanding programs. I look forward to working with him and wish him a warm welcome to Albany."

Straussman's extensive record of research includes five books and numerous articles on public management, government budgeting and finance, and political economy, focusing on the United States and on governance in other nations. In 1992 he was a Fulbright Scholar at the Budapest University of Economic Sciences, where he taught public management and policy analysis and assisted Hungarian faculty in developing a public affairs department. Straussman has also taught and consulted in Macedonia, Israel, Venezuela, the Czech Republic, the Peoples' Republic of China, Bulgaria, Malaysia, and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. He has published on the political economy of transition, including articles translated into Hungarian, Russian, and Ukrainian.

Photo of Jeffrey D. Straussman available for download:
http://www.albany.edu/news/newsphotos/jeffrey_straussman.jpg

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 12, 2006) -- The University of Albany, in partnership with the New York State Office of Homeland Security, is offering a Public Security Studies Certificate to graduate students through the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

The program, offered through the College's Department of Public Administration and Policy, provides graduates with the foundation to become more effective public security professionals and managers. Students who successfully complete the five-course specialization earn 20 credit hours and a Graduate Certificate in Public Management specializing in Public Security Studies. The 20-credit program focuses on content-based courses focusing on terrorism, political violence, and domestic intelligence, along with analytical courses.

University at Albany President Kermit L. Hall said, "It is our university's mission to address the times in which we live. Working with the Office of Homeland security on this important program enables us to give students valuable career experience in a practical setting, while conducting substantive research that will chart a new course in combating terrorism."

"Our nation has been engaged in a war against terrorism since 9/11 and we have been fortunate to have men and women who possess the necessary analytical skills required," said James W. McMahon, Director of the New York State Office of Homeland Security. "This graduate program which the University at Albany has initiated will help develop the next generation of analysts that will be so vital to helping protect the freedoms our citizens cherish."

The UAlbany program, developed in consultation with OHS, law enforcement, intelligence and public management experts, is completing its initial offering with four field or security professionals enrolled — three from law enforcement and one from the intelligence community. The success enjoyed by the initial offering encouraged UAlbany and the State Office of Homeland Security to expand the program.

"Through the Public Security Studies program, we've made a long-term commitment to making a difference in the fight against terrorism," said Victor Asal, director of the program and a UAlbany assistant professor of political science. "The next level of professionals should be able to evaluate, predict, and challenge terrorist activity before it causes harm, and we're gratified to partner with the Office of Homeland Security and law enforcement to bring them to that next level."

"I think the program does a great job of introducing students to the nature of terrorism, and how government agencies are responding to the issue. I recommend the program to anybody interested in working in the field, or just in learning about and discussing current issues," said Counter Terrorism Analyst Michael Beckman of the New York State Police, one of the students participating in the initial program offering.

Additionally, Director McMahon announced that the State Office of Homeland Security will continue to provide funding to provide scholarships to local law enforcement and State personnel.

Director McMahon said graduates of this program will be able to enter the workforce with the appropriate skills and competencies needed to make an immediate impact in enhancing the security of the state and nation against terrorism. "This program helps to train students to think of public security from an analytical perspective rather than a response mode," he said. "That function is so critical as we look to enhance our nation's security."

Director McMahon said that a shortage of highly skilled and trained analysts, managers, and support personnel with expertise in intelligence, terrorism, and homeland security can be mitigated by dedicated academic and research programs such as the one being offered at the University at Albany. To address the needs of this emerging field, the certificate program will merge an understanding of the fundamentals of terrorism with new tools and competencies for managing intelligence organizations and making decisions.

"Students serving as current counter-terrorism intelligence analysts and investigators employed by New York State will have their job experience and training enhanced by matriculating through an academic program that concentrates on the study and analysis of terrorism, including related threats, trends, and ideologies," said Terrie Schwartz, Director of Intelligence at the New York State Office of Homeland Security. "For students considering a career in homeland security and public safety, successful completion of the UAlbany certificate program will provide the knowledge and skills necessary to be highly qualified for analyst positions at the Office of Homeland Security, State Police and other government agencies engaged in homeland security, intelligence and law enforcement responsibilities."

For more information on what programs are offered and how students can enroll in the certificate program check these websites:
New York Office of Homeland Security: www.security.state.ny.us
University at Albany: www.albany.edu

Gerald Marschke, Associate Professor in the Dept. of Public Adminstration and Policy is the recipient along with Pascal Courty of the H. Gregg Lewis Prize for the best paper published in the Journal of Labor Economics during the previous two years. The Journal of Labor Economics is the top-ranked journal in the field of labor economics.

The award will be presented in a special session of the Society of Labor Economists 2006 Meetings in Cambridge, MA in May. The award-winning paper is entitled "An Empirical Investigation of Gaming Responses to Performance Incentives."

Judith Saidel Receives Tenure

The University's Committee on Promotion and Continuing Appointment voted unanimously in favor of continuing appointment (tenure) for Judith Saidel. Judith in a Professor in the Dept. of Public Administration and Policy and the Director of the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society

Congratulations, Judith!

R. Karl Rethemeyer Named START Fellow

The National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence, has named R. Karl Rethemeyer as a START Fellow for the 2006-07 academic year.

START works with graduate students and researchers in the behavioral and social sciences interested in issues related to terrorism, providing them with professional development opportunities and support for new lines of research.

The fellowship includes $5,000 that will be used to support graduate and undergraduate students who will be working on Rethemeyer's project, which focuses on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism and networks.

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 16, 2006) -- Thomas Birkland, an associate professor in the Department of Public Administration and Policy in the University at Albany's Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, has been appointed to serve for one year as a program director at the National Science Foundation.

Birkland will direct the Infrastructure Management and Hazard Response (IMHR) program in the NSF’s Division of Civil and Mechanical Systems in the Directorate for Engineering. This program makes grants to academic and technical researchers studying the impact of natural and humanly-caused disasters on infrastructure and society.

“The opportunity to serve at NSF is very exciting,” said Birkland. “The NSF is among the premiere scientific organizations in the world, and I know I will learn a great deal in my short year here.”

Birkland, a political scientist, is a nationally-known expert on the politics and policies related to disaster response and planning, and has written two books and several articles on the subject. While at NSF, he is on leave as director of the Center for Policy Research in Rockefeller College.

The Center for Policy Research is the public policy research center of Rockefeller College. The Center's affiliated faculty conduct research funded by private and public organizations.

Ranked among the top-10 public affairs programs in the nation, the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy's core mission is to discover, communicate, and apply knowledge about politics, governance, public policy, and public management. The college directly helps public managers, policymakers, and others deal effectively with the challenges they face, making democracy stronger and governments more effective around the world. For more information, visit: http://www.albany.edu/rockefeller/

The University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service engages 17,000 diverse students in nine degree-granting schools and colleges. For more information about this internationally ranked institution, visit www.albany.edu. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.htm

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 13, 2006) -- The University at Albany and Albany Law School announced today the creation of a new financial market regulation program that addresses industry concerns about fairness and accountability in U.S. financial markets. The program combines the four disciplines of law, business, public policy and technology along with expert input from Wall Street executives and partners in international firms to prepare undergraduate and graduate students for careers in regulation and supervision of the financial markets. The program will begin accepting students for the fall semester of 2006.

“Through this partnership, which combines the strengths of a top-flight law school and a major research university, we will offer a comprehensive program that will meet the educational needs of tomorrow’s executives,” said Kermit L. Hall, President of the University at Albany. “We thank our accomplished alumni and friends in the financial services industry, regulatory organizations, and major law firms who aided in the development of this program.”

“Given the increasing apprehension over keeping the financial markets running efficiently and equitably, it is essential that we train the next generation of professionals in this field,” said Thomas F. Guernsey, President of Albany Law School.

“This program will begin to address the shortfall in trained professionals needed by the industry and regulators to insure well-functioning, transparent markets,” said Richard Ketchum, chief regulatory officer of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and member of the program’s advisory council. “I commend UAlbany and Albany Law School for their foresight in launching this initiative.”

The program involves interdisciplinary coursework, seminars, mentoring and internships. Students will receive training on the four academic areas essential to developing proficiency in the field of financial market regulation, as well as coursework on ethics practices throughout each are of focus:

· Business of financial markets and how regulations affect that business;
· Laws of securities regulation and how those laws apply to financial markets;
· Public policy of securities regulation and how regulations of the financial markets should be designed and implemented; and
· Technology of information management and data analysis essential to modern regulation.

An advisory council has been formed comprising members of the faculty and staff of the four academic units as well as representatives of major financial institutions, regulators, industry groups and law firms. Members include:
Richard Ketchum, chief regulatory officer, NYSE; Grace Vogel (University at Albany 1977), executive vice president, NYSE; John Malitzis (UA 1989), vice president, NYSE; Michael Stone, past president of the Securities Industry Association Legal and Compliance Division, and former general counsel, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter; Jerry Citera (UA ’77), executive director , UBS Securities; Jeffrey Mishkin (UA ’69), partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, and co-chair of the Rockefeller College Advisory Board; Lewis Weiner (UA ’84), partner, Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan, and co-chair of the Rockefeller College Advisory Board; David Buzen (UA ’81), president, U.S. Financial Guaranty Business of DEPFA Bank; Herb Lurie (UA ’82), private investor and retired Chairman of Merrill Lynch's financial institutions investment banking group; Peter Bulger (UA ’77), chief operating officer, C.L. King; Paul M. Gottlieb, managing director and chief operating officer, RBC Capital Markets Corporation; Andrew Druch (UA ’77), general counsel, Americas Rabobank; Stephen P. Younger (Albany Law School '82), Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler; Timothy Barker (ALS '82), managing director, U.S. Trust Company; Marisa Sotomayor (UA ’03, ’04 MPA), student, Fordham Law School; Emil Bove (UA ’04), student, Georgetown Law School.

The University at Albany and Albany Law School will also work closely with The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the Securities Industry Association Legal and Compliance Division and other regulatory and industry groups to develop course content, to establish internship programs and to provide employment opportunities for graduates of the program.
Further information can be found at: www.albany.edu/rockefeller/FMRI/index.htm or by calling David S. Liebschutz, Assistant Dean of Rockefeller College at 518-442-5253.

Albany Law School is an independent private school in the heart of New York State’s capital. As the oldest law school in New York, the 155-year-old institution offers 750 students an innovative, rigorous curriculum taught by a committed faculty. Several nationally recognized programs – including the Government Law Center, the Albany Law Clinic and the Science and Technology Law Center – provide opportunities for students to apply classroom learning. Students have access to New York's highest court, federal courts and the state legislature, as well as a thriving tech center, leading to a 98% employment rate for graduates. www.albanylaw.edu

The University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service engages 17,000 diverse students in nine degree-granting schools and colleges. For more information about this internationally ranked institution, visit www.albany.edu. For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts, visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.htm

University at Albany Awarded Prestigious Ford Foundation Grant to Promote Classroom Environments Open to Difficult and Civil Dialogues

I am pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new pilot initiative on the University at Albany campus. The Ford Foundation selected our University from among 675 original applicants in a national competition to promote pluralism and academic freedom on campus, and create a campus environment where "sensitive subjects can be discussed in a spirit of open scholarly inquiry, intellectual rigor and with respect for different viewpoints."

The Difficult Dialogues Initiative seeks to nurture classroom environments that are vibrant and dynamic spaces where undergraduate students learn from difficult but civil dialogue. The project builds on the premise that dialogical engagement enables students to become thinkers who make informed judgments, responsible citizens who appreciate multiple perspectives, and conscientious members of a global and pluralistic community who celebrate diversity in all its forms.

The inaugural phase of this campus-wide effort will establish a network of faculty and staff members whose role will be to strengthen learner-centered teaching practices that create a climate conducive to dialogical engagement. Working with various student groups, network members will identify, develop and facilitate the implementation of strategies and practices that promote civil dialogue around difficult issues in the classroom.

The initiative will be administered by the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, in collaboration with Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Sue Faerman. If you would like to know more about the Difficult Dialogues Initiative, please contact Center Director Dr. Judith Saidel at Saidel@albany.edu

Susan Herbst

Provost and Executive Vice President

The Business Review (Albany)

UAlbany professor to serve on advisory panel

A professor at the Rockefeller College, University at Albany will serve on an advisory panel for a study of teacher preparation programs across the country.

Jim Wyckoff is a professor of public administration, policy and economics at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.

Wyckoff is currently examining how teacher preparation can improve how students do in New York City classrooms and how retention rates for teachers in New York City can be improved.

The $1.5 million study, commissioned by Congress, will be conducted by the National Research Council. It is expected to take more than two years to complete.

At the 39th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences on January 4-7, 2006, CTG was awarded best paper in the E-Government Track. The HICCS conference is one of the best working conferences in computer-related sciences, with a high level of interaction among leading scientists, engineers, and professionals.

Best paper:
Zhang, Jing, Faerman, Sue R., and Cresswell, Anthony M. "The Effect of Organizational/Technical Factors and the Nature of Knowledge on Knowledge Sharing." Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences, Jan. 2006. http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/journals/hicss_2006_knowledge

In addition, two other CTG papers tied for second best in the
E-Government Track:
Gil-Garcia, J. Ramon, Pardo, Theresa A. "Multi-Method Approaches to Digital Government Research: Value Lessons and Implementation Challenges." Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences, Jan. 2006. http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/journals/hicss_2006_multi-method

Dawes, S.S., Cooke, M.E., Helbig, N., "Challenges of Treating Information as a Public Resource: the Case of Parcel Data" Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences, Jan. 2006. http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/journals/hicss_2006_parcel

To view all of CTG's 2006 HICCS papers, go to: http://www.ctg.albany.edu/publications/publications?sub=journals

Faculty Update

Professor Jim Wyckoff, Dept. of Public Administration & Policy has been elected to the Policy Council of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM). This is a fitting tribute to Jim's nationally recognized excellence as a researcher and citizen of the broader professional community.

November 2005

2005 Alumni Reception and Awards Ceremony

Six distinguished alumni and faculty received awards from The Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the 21st annual Alumni Reception and Awards Ceremony, which was held on November 28 th, at the Rockefeller Institute of Government. Dean Frank Thompsonhosted nearly 100 guests, among which were the honorees and their families, alumni, and faculty. The College gave awards to John G. Gunnell, Bruce M. Plaxen, Denise M. Sheehan, Peter J. Casale, Soonhee Kim, and Frank J. Thompson. Full Story

October 2005

Sharon Dawes, Director of Rockefeller College Research Partner, Center for Technology in Government Receives Giuliani Leadership Award. Full Release

September 2005

Rockefeller Alumni, Miriam Trementozzi Appointed Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives
Over her five years in the Office of the President, she has developed the University's engagement in regional arenas as varied as economic development, health care, and heritage programming. The new position will help catalyze and advance opportunities of strategic importance to the University, connecting us with a wider array of constituencies ranging from the regional to international levels. Full Release

Dr. Sue Faerman has agreed to serve as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education for a three-year term effective immediately. “In elevating Dr. Faerman to the Provostial level of the institution,” comments President Hall, “we seek to underscore our emphasis on academics first at UAlbany, and our particular concern to give increased attention to the undergraduate program.” Full Release

Rockefeller Alumni, Charles R. Williams Named Vice President for Governmental Affairs and Public Relations
As the University's chief government and public relations officer, Williams will be the architect of the University’s governmental relations strategies and public relations programs.
Full Release

Center for Policy Research Special Panel Discussion

Impact and Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
A panel of experts from the University at Albany and Albany Law School will discuss these issues and answer your questions. Please plan to join us. More Information

July, 2005

Michael Holland, Shannin O'Neill (Addison), and Nyree Ryder were each recently promoted at the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Mr. Holland and Mrs. O'Neill (both MPA '02) were each promoted to the position of Senior Information Technology Specialist in GAO's Information Technology Issues Team. Ms. Ryder (MPP '02) was promoted to the position of Senior Analyst in GAO's Education, Workforce, and Income Security Team.

Emil Bove, BA Public Policy '03 has won a Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship for graduate study.

The Foundation has announced the 76 recipients of its 2005 graduate and professional scholarships. The recipients were chosen following a nationwide competition that attracted 1,290 nominees from more than 600 colleges and universities.

David Liebschutz Honored by State Academy for Public Administrations

ALBANY, N.Y. (July 15, 2005) -- David S. Liebschutz, Rockefeller College assistant dean for career and alumni programs and public service professor has received the first-ever Arnold L. Steigman Excellence in Teaching Public Admi nistration Award from the State Academy for Public Administration.<< Full Press Release>>

June 2005

The Annual Royal Dove of Distinction Scholarship, first place award was given to Joyce Keyes Williams, PhD Candidate, Public Administration & Policy. The scholarship recognizes the accomplishments of two graduate students and public service achievements of those in the Capital District. Ms. Williams received the $500.00 award and Sharla Aiken, MBA student at the University at Albany received a the second award of $250.00.

This year's Scholarship Dinner was held on June 11, 2005 and highlighted the achievements and contributions of local community members including Albany County District Attorney, David Soares; Associate Professor, Marcia Sutherland, University at Albany; and Mary Sydnor,LMSW, Director of Clinical and Community Support Services at ClearView Center, Inc.., Elaine Houston, Co-Anchor of WYNT Channel 13, served as the keynote speaker.

The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Omicron Epsilon Zeta (OEZ) Graduate Chapter is composed of graduate and professional women in multiple disciplinary fields who have dedicated their lives to careers that advance people in the Capital District. OEZ partners with local community organizations to achieve their goals of helping communities in need. They host and volunteer in many community projects such as Walk America, Voter Registration, Freihofer's Run for Women, Adopt-A-Family holiday program and many more.

May 2005

U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Wesley to Deliver UAlbany's Annual Burton Lecture

The award is given to a part-time instructor in recognition of making an impact on students and their public service careers, excellence in teaching, advising, and mentoring, and excellence in linking education and practice.

The award will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the State Academy on June 15, 2005. Congratulations, David!

March 15, 2005

National Science Foundation Grant

January 20, 2005

Political Science Professor Bruce Miroff was one of a dozen scholars and journalists appearing in "Mandate: the President and the People," a new PBS documentary that aired on Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20, 2005 .

Leslie Stahl narrated this survey of the presidency's place in American democracy and the meaning of the electoral mandates presidents have received.

Release

USAID Awards UAlbany $17 Million to Bolster Democracy in Lebanon

Contact: Michael Parker (518) 437-4980

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 20, 2004) -The Center for Legislative Development (CLD) at the University at Albany has been awarded a three-year, $17 million grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to continue its efforts to strengthen municipal institutions in Lebanon and increase their effectiveness in support of democracy. The grant was announced Tuesday in a ceremony attended by more than 1,000 dignitaries, parliament members and municipal officials held at Unesco Palace in Beirut. An agreement was signed with the Interior and Municipalities Ministry of Lebanon, USAID and University at Albany CLD representatives.

Conceived in 1993 by the late Abdo Baaklini, a professor with UAlbany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and former director of CLD, the Lebanon program fulfills key USAID local and regional objectives by promoting democracy and good governance.

“Organizing the work of local government in a transparent way has enabled municipalities to plan and implement essential social and economic projects,” said USAID mission director Raouf Youssef, in a recent statement. “The administrative and financial work has helped in improving the income of many municipalities, which witnessed an income increase of 200 and 300 percent in the last three years.”

“We greatly appreciate USAID’s investment in the Center for Legislative Development’s efforts to strengthen democracy in Lebanon,” said UAlbany Interim President John R. Ryan. “This is a testament to the foresight of Dr. Baaklini, who designed a program with an understanding of the history of Lebanese people and knowledge of what it would take to insure the development of a successful and accountable government.”

“By strengthening the role of local government in economic development, encouraging e-government and strengthening municipal administrative and financial capacities, we are enhancing the foundations of democracy in Lebanon,” said CLD Director Robert Nakamura. “We are honored that USAID has renewed its commitment to support the vision of Dr. Baaklini and the leadership of Lebanon Country Director Mahmoud Batlouni.”

“Municipalities, the intermediary government, the various oversight agencies, as well as the Lebanese Parliament will act capably and efficiently, by modern standards, once certain weaknesses in their structure have been addressed,” said Batlouni. “We have developed most of the required information systems and databases for the municipalities. This will bring significant savings in resources and will permit immediate implementation.”

CLD has been working with USAID in Lebanon since 1993, and has previously implemented a multi-phase $25 million program that included technical assistance to Parliament, several executive agencies, and some municipalities.

Claudia Matthews '05 Wins Stanley Fink Scholarship

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 13, 2004) -- University at Albany senior Claudia Matthews has been awarded a prestigious Stanley Fink Legislative Internship. She will begin her internship in the New York State Assembly in 2005.

Matthews, a Brooklyn native, is a dual major in political science and English. In addition to carrying a grade point average of 3.86, her academic achievements include six semesters on the Dean’s List, a Thurgood Marshall Internship, Spellman Academic Awards, and membership in the Presidential Honor Society. She has previously interned with two law firms and twice with the New York State Attorney General's Office.

Matthews has also volunteered in several University programs, including Project Renaissance, where she tutored students in economics, English, and political science. She volunteered to help the Red Cross Blood Drive and Habitat for Humanity through the Presidential Honor Society. She has also volunteered at the campus U-Kids Daycare Center. Her future plans include law school and a career in politics.

Supported by an initial grant from the Bell-Atlantic Foundation, UAlbany established the legislative internship in memory of the late Stanley Fink, former Speaker of the New York Assembly. The full semester internship carries 15 academic credits. To be eligible for the award, a student must meet academic requirements for the Dean’s List and have earned at least 56 academic credits at UAlbany

November 30, 2004

2004 Rockefeller College Distinguisehd Alumni Awards Recipients >Go