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Posted: 11/14/13

TAMIU Celebrates MPA Accreditation, Alumni Network Formation

 

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Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Master of Public Administration alumni as well as current and retired faculty members gathered at a reception to celebrate the program’s accreditation by the prestigious National Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) and the formation of its Alumni Network.

The group, which also included top administrators and alumni dating back to 2001, met at the University’s Helen Richter Watson Gallery to honor the accreditation, which makes TAMIU only the 11th university in Texas whose MPA program earns NASPAA accreditation. 

Since 2001, a total of 106 students have graduated from the TAMIU MPA Program and currently occupy various positions in federal, state, county and city government as well as non-profit organizations, said Dr. Peter Haruna, TAMIU associate professor of public administration and director of the MPA program.

The accreditation resulted from a joint effort by MPA faculty, MPA Advisory Board, graduates, students and administrative staff and places TAMIU in the list of elite MPA programs in the nation and abroad, Dr. Haruna added.

Dr. Carol Waters, one of the principal authors of the accreditation application who recently retired from TAMIU, said TAMIU is the second university in The Texas A&M University System, aside from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, to receive NASPAA accreditation.

Dr. Thomas Mitchell, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, who was also present to congratulate the alumni, said that the NASPAA site visitors were impressed with the spirit of collaboration that the program’s graduates demonstrated during the accreditation process.

“It speaks volumes about how satisfied the alumni are with the program and how much respect and love they have for the faculty who taught them,” he said.

Anita Guerra, a member of the MPA Alumni Network who spoke at the event, said that the alumni has met informally for months and submitted its by-laws for TAMIU administrative review.

“We plan to meet monthly to network,” she said, “We would like to have quarterly fundraising activities for scholarships for current and future MPA students, ongoing membership drives as well as facilitate internships at our organizations, outreach to the local community and engage in public relations to shine a light on the professional and personal accomplishments of our fellow MPA graduates.”

Starting Spring 2015, all MPA classes will be offered online, Haruna said. This Fall, TAMIU began offering a new online, non-degree Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership and Management to bachelor’s degree holders.

Aside from Dr. Waters and Dr. Haruna, faculty members who worked on the accreditation include Dr. Mehnaaz Momen, associate professor of public administration; Dr. Lynne Manganaro, assistant professor of public administration; Dr. Margaret Broxton Wynn, assistant professor of public administration and Dr. María Reyes, visiting assistant professor of public administration.

TAMIU Spring Registration is currently underway. Classes start Jan. 22.

For more information, please contact Dr. Haruna at 326.2613, e-mail pharuna@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall, 313J.


Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu