Graduate Programs in Public Administration
A Professional Masters Degree Program

The Graduate Programs in Public Administration is a unit of IIT's Stuart School of Business, which encompasses the disciplines of political science and sociology, with special emphases in the fields of urban government and community affairs, policy analysis, organization and management of work, public finance, public safety, and nonprofit management. IIT has offered educational programs in public administration since the 1940s and has awarded the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree, the most widely recognized professional credential, since the mid-1960s.

Building on the foundations laid by former departmental faculty members Herbert A. Simon (a Nobel Laureate), Victor Thompson and Donald Smithburg, the current program continues to present a practical focus on the characteristics and responsibilities of the effective governmental manager. Courses meet during the evening hours at IIT's Downtown Campus, conveniently located in the West Loop near transportation and many governmental offices, to accommodate the needs of the mid-career public service professionals that constitute most of the program's student body.

2009 ASPA Awards

Courtney Leigh Beisel was selected as IIT's MPA Program Student of the Year, based on her pursuit of academic excellence (GPA of 4.0), her outstanding contributions in the classroom, working with her classmates and instructors, and her commitment to a career of public service.

According to Courtney, she has always lived her life according to Winston Churchill's famous quote "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give." As an undergraduate student at the Pennsylvania State University interning in the Office of Public Information, Courtney became involved in the public relations activities for THON, the largest student-run philanthropic organization dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer. Since then, her commitment to giving back to the community has grown and influenced her to pursue her master's degree in public administration, with a specialization in non-profit management.

Throughout Courtney's career, she has dedicated herself to giving back to the community, as well as encouraging others to do the same. In various professional positions, she has organized toy and food drives during the holidays, adopted families for gift giving and solicited volunteers for the Special Olympics. In her personal life, Courtney is always the first to make a donation when asked by friends and family, and is a willing volunteer for various charitable activities.

Courtney is currently the Communications Coordinator for the Illinois Institute of Technology's (IIT) Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. In this position, she directs all aspects of the recruitment of students, fundraising, event management, student activities and alumni relations. She is also responsible for all written communications for the department, including its annual alumni magazine and web site. Courtney's final master's project is focused on the creation of a strategic plan to enhance the overall undergraduate student experience within her department.

With the skills obtained through IIT's Master of Public Administration Program, Courtney hopes to pursue a career in an area in which she is most passionate, such as childhood health, education and cancer research. She also plans on starting a non-profit aimed at providing resources to high school students to help them transition successfully into college. From supporting charities close to her heart to donating blood at every opportunity, Courtney is dedicated to making a difference in the world by giving back.PA Program Held

Earl W. Zuelke Jr. , who graduated with honors with a MPA degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1998, currently serves as Special Assistant to the Director, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, where he is responsible for managing special projects that further IEMA's goal of ensuring a "better prepared State." His current projects include the development of a state-wide Mass Care & Sheltering Functional Annex to the State Emergency Operations Plan; the development of a Mass Fatality guidance document for county Coroners; coordination and oversight of the Lake Michigan Tri-State Regional Catastrophic Preparedness Grant; and development of an inter-agency special needs population mass care document.

Prior to coming to IEMA in September of 2008, Earl was the Deputy Director for Emergency Management at the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications. His responsibilities included the direction and management of staff in the development and updating of the City's emergency management plans for mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. He worked to coordinate with other City departments, state and federal agencies, and non-profit and private sector stakeholders to develop and implement procedures for inter-agency disaster response. His other esponsibilities included the identification of technology in areas relative to homeland security and emergency management; and did grant identification, submission, implementation and monitoring.

Prior to his position with OEMC, Earl retired as a Lieutenant/Commanding Officer from the Chicago Police Department after thirty-six years of service. During his tenure, he was assigned as a Gang Crimes Specialist, Violent Crimes Investigator, Diving Instructor, and Commanding Officer of the department's Marine Unit and Canine Unit. As Commanding Officer his responsibilities included personnel selection, allocation and training, budget and contract formulation, equipment identification, specification and procurement, and inter-agency coordination for homeland security, public safety, and law enforcement initiatives.

Due to his many contributions and long history of valuable public service in the fields of law enforcement and emergency preparedness and management, IIT is proud to announce Earl W. Zuelke as its 2009 Alumni Model Administrator of the Year.

MPA Program Spring 2009 Reception

The Spring 2009 MPA Reception was held on Wednesday April 15, 2009. Well over 100 current and prospective students, alumni, faculty, and staff attended this semi-annual event. Dr. Mary Milano, Executive Director of the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, presented on the topic "The Impact and Challenges of the Current Economic Crisis on Public Managers and Workers."

The MPA Reception is held for the MPA Program community to celebrate the achievements f its students, alumni, and faculty, to learn about a topic of interest, and to socialize with other members of the MPA community.