College of Public Policy

Bachelor of Public Administration

The inaugural semester for the new Bachelor of Public Administration program has been a success with over 30 students enrolled in the program as of this fall. The students are highly energetic and want to serve the public in some capacity, either in a nonprofit or urban government setting. The department is one of six programs in Texas that offer a BPA and anticipates having 100 majors by fall 2013.

Social Work Students Produces Documentary

Dr. Bob Ambrosino’s Advanced Policy class developed and produced a documentary entitled “Behind Closed Doors: Voices from the Inside” which features the stories of women who were trafficked as minors for sexual purposes and the difficult road to recovery. By producing this event heavily attended by the public, the graduate students hoped to increase the awareness about domestic minor sex trafficking in the San Antonio community, dispel myths, and create a transformative learning experience.

Meet Your Match

COPP held a Meet Your Match networking event at which students were given the opportunity to meet and talk with a large number of representatives from public, nonprofit, federal, and private companies for internship and employment opportunities. The event was well attended with over 120 students and organizations there to meet and develop networking relationships.

Nonprofit Leadership Alliance

A UTSA program charged with educating, preparing and certifying professionals to strengthen and lead nonprofit organizations has changed its name. The American Humanics program housed in the Center for Policy Studies in the College of Public Policy is now called the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance. Although the name has changed, the focus remains the same.

“The national office conducted in-depth research into the name’s effectiveness and found that the name change was needed to better reflect the purpose of the organization,” said Denise Orozco, program coordinator.

B Heard Music Café;

Dr. Robert Ambrosino’s Advanced Policies social work class created and produced the B Heard Music Café, at which professional musicians donated their time to perform alongside residents of Haven for Hope. The event was held at the Haven for Hope campus in a festival-like setting for a number of musical groups to perform as well.

Grants

Dr. Mitch Miller, from the College of Public Policy, and Dr. Michael Karcher, from the College of Education and Human Development, received a grant in the amount of $284,000 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to evaluate the intensity, accountability, and effectiveness of delinquency prevention and reduction services. The Criminal Justice Department had several active grants with the Department of Justice agencies totaling $954,522. And, Dr. Maureen Rubin was awarded a grant in the amount of $23,500 from the Center for Healthcare Services to evaluate in-house drug recovery program at Haven for Hope.