Jeffrey D. Straussman, PhD: Honoring 45 Years of Academic Service
Since receiving his PhD in political science from City University of New York in 1975, Jeffrey Straussman has dedicated his life to teaching, research, and institutional leadership for the past 45 years. Now, the former dean of Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy is turning the page to a new and well-deserved chapter — retirement.
From a Distance: Interning in a Remote World
Gaining valuable real-world experience through a professional internship is an integral component of Rockefeller College’s MPA program. However, when the COVID-19 crisis hit the U.S. in March 2020 employers sent their workforces home, causing many internships to be put on hold or cancelled. Fortunately, with the help of Rockefeller College’s Office of Career Development, students were able to prepare for and secure remote internships in the public and private sectors, adapting to the current times. MPA students Zach Dickman, Alex Pearce, Miguelina M. Pierre-Louis, and Gabrielle Schwartz share their experiences interning from a distance in the summer of 2020.
Rockefeller Election Series: Your Vote Rocks
Leading up to the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election and in the weeks following, the University at Albany’s Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy hosted a series of virtual events, covering a range of topics impacting the election and future of the nation. Throughout the series, over 400 participants joined the interactive discussions led by UAlbany and Rockefeller College faculty and alumni experts.
NYSERDA: Rockefeller’s Energetic Internship Opportunity
Over the years, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has given numerous Rockefeller students the exceptional opportunity to get involved in advancing energy solutions through its internship program. While the day-to-day life of workforces across the world were disrupted due to the ongoing pandemic, NYSERDA was still able to give students invaluable real-world experience with its 2020 remote summer internship. NYSERDA’s Allison Capello tells more about the internship program and Rockefeller students Ryan DeNardo, Leslie Green, Agata Pijanowski, and Brittania Smead share their experience interning at NYSERDA and offer advice to fellow students pursuing virtual internships.
Nonprofit University Upcoming Workshops
The Institute of Nonprofit Leadership and Community Development is an interdisciplinary community that works to improve nonprofit efficiency and impact in the Capital Region. Its Nonprofit University is a professional development subscription series for all levels in organizations. Taught by university faculty and subject matter experts from across the region, Nonprofit U’s interactive and engaging workshops cover all aspects of nonprofit operations and management. Learn more about its upcoming workshops.
The Role of Open Data in Combating COVID-19
With the second wave of COVID-19 raging across the U.S., researchers at the University at Albany are examining the role information can play in stemming the pandemic’s tide. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy Associate Professor Erika Martin is senior author with current and former doctoral students on two new articles on the coronavirus.
Faculty Promotions, Appointments, and News
Rockefeller College added two new faculty, Mikhail Ivonchyk and Mary Ellen Stitt, while Zsófia Barta, Gang Chen, Ashley Fox, and Timothy Weaver were awarded tenure and promoted to the rank of associate professor. In addition, Dana Peterson was appointed as the Senior Executive Director of the School of Criminal Justice.
The Potential Role Of Open Data In Mitigating The COVID-19 Pandemic
In this Health Affairs blog article, Rockefeller College’s Sunyoung Pyo, PhD ’18, current PhD student Luigi Reggi, and Associate Professor Erika Martin explore how open data has been used globally in the COVID-19 response. They highlight major challenges in using the data and provide recommendations on how to foster an open data ecosystem that can be leveraged now and in future public health emergencies.