CHAIR: Lauren Bowman lbowma3@uic.edu
Lauren Bowman, current chair of PASA, is a 2nd year MPA student from Dayton, Ohio. She received her undergraduate degree in Political Science from Ohio University. Prior to returning to school to earn a graduate degree, she worked as a legal assistant for a law firm in Columbus, Ohio for 2 years. Lauren currently works as a Graduate Assistant in the Public Administration Department, where she does research and various projects. She hopes to work in the non-profit sector upon graduation.
Grace Kole is a full-time, second year MPA student with a focus in Public Management. Grace is the Co-Chair for the Public Administration Student Association (PASA) and works on campus as a graduate assistant with the Office of Student Leadership Development and Volunteer Services. Prior to attending UIC, Grace graduated with distinction from Iowa State University, majoring in Liberal Studies and minoring in Political Science. Upon receiving her degree, Grace is planning on seeking a position with a local government, state agency, or small nonprofit organization. Originally from Iowa, Grace is planning on returning to her small town roots after graduation.
TREASURER / DEVELOPMENT CHAIR: Ben Ekelund bekelu2@uic.edu
Ben received his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1999. After graduating college, Ben participated in the Americorp program through the City of Boston and worked as a caseworker for a mental health clinic in Chicago. He is enrolled as a full-time student in the MPA program, focusing in Public Management. Shortly after entering the program in the Fall of 2007, Ben secured a research position with the Institute for Public Safety Partnerships. Ben is on track to graduate May 2009.
Danielle Barnes, current Communications chair, is a second year MPA student with a concentration in Local Government Management. She received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University in Binghamton, New York. Currently, Danielle works as an intern at the Woodstock Institute, where she conducts research on consumer lending and economic justice issues. Originally from New York City, Danielle hopes to work in the non-profit sector in New York City or Chicago after graduation.
My name is Claudia Cortes and I am a second year Public Administration graduate student. I will be graduating in May 2009 with a concentration on Public Management. I hold a Bachelor's of Arts on Political Science from Elmhurst College. I have always been interested in politics, but also in serving others. Due to this later passion, I joined the University of Illinois at Chicago's Public Administration program. As the New Student Chair I am very pleased to contribute to the enrichment of the PA program but also to help foster my own growth and that of my peers by promoting diverse PASA activities. Please feel free to contact me anytime. I will be happy to share my experiences in regards to the PA program and the work of PASA.
Reginald received his Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2007. Reginald is a part-time student in the MPA program with a concentration in Financial Management. He is an Investigator with the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG), where he investigates complaints of fraud, waste, abuse and misconduct regarding State employees and vendors conducting business with the State. Reginald is a graduate of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Inspector General Criminal Investigator Academy. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and Public Administration Student Association (PASA).
Jeanne Chiu, Public Service Chair of PASA, is a part-time second year MPA student with a Public Management concentration. Jeanne received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from UIC in 2007. She started the idea of the position of Public Service Chair as she saw the need for public administration students taking an active role in public service. She is currently working full-time as a project coordinator for the research administration at NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Institute, a nonprofit healthcare organization located in Evanston. Jeanne is passionate about improving the human condition through public service and is interested in pursuing a career managing healthcare in the public or nonprofit sector.
Sophia Magill, originally from Charter Oak, Iowa is in her first year of the MPA program. Upon earning a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in dance from Iowa State
University, Sophia worked for an NGO, Constituency for Africa in Washington, D.C. She then returned to Iowa and gained professional experience in the following arenas: Iowa
House of Representatives, Iowa Cultural Coalition,Office of the Governor, State of Iowa, and most recently for Iowa State University's Office of Admissions. Her academic and civic
activities have led her to Israel, Australia, Japan, Kenya, and France. Sophia serves in a variety of volunteer capacities, including but not limited to the UIC Senate Executive
Committee & Student Affairs Committee, Iowa State University Young Alumni Council, Alpha Gamma Delta Chicago Alumni Club, and as the MPA Representative to the Graduate
Student Council.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE: Basia Bhojraj basia26@gmail.comDean Constantino dean.constantinou@gmail.com
Dean Constantinou is an office manager at the corporate headquarters of Guggenheim Capital, an investment firm with over 1.25 billion dollars worth of assets. He attends UIC part time and is working on getting his MPA with a concentration in Financial Management. Dean is on the committee of professional development for PASA. He received his bachelor degree at UIC with a major in political science and a minor in philosophy. Since receiving his BA, Dean was an intern for Sentator Dick Durbin, served as an assistant to the Jean Monet Chair at Universtiy of Cyprus in Nicosia, and worked on various campaigns for state and federal candidates. |
