LBJ School faculty will participate in panel discussions and lead live, interactive brainstorm sessions during the 2021 NASPAA Annual Conference. Sessions are open to all registered participants.
CHARRETTE: What Do We Need to Create for our Students to be Data Experts for Social Good?
Thursday, Oct. 28, 3:30–5 p.m. ET
Led by LBJ Assistant Professor Patrick Bixler
Data has transformed modern life and put new pressures on public‐serving organizations. What does it mean to be a data specialist, or to have data skills? How can schools of public policy better prepare students to apply data science for the social and public good?
Students in schools of public affairs and administration are at the forefront of developing skills to lead government and community organizations. A key objective of this charrette is to reimagine a core public affairs course (such as public management) that prepares students with authentic, applied data skills and experiences.
Some of the questions we hope this charrette will explore:
- What are the core competencies of data science for public affairs?
- How do we make data science skills accessible, exciting, and an intentional path for our students?
- How do we choose/navigate different platforms for data science?
- Is there value in collective convergence for skill training in the field?
- What aspects of this work are you already doing at your school/university that could be a springboard into implementing this type of core course?
- What are potential barriers to implementing this new course?
This session is a CHARRETTE, a live, collaborative session in which a small informal group drafts a solution to an aspect of reimagining the civic square. Conference registrants must sign up in advance to participate. All participants will take an active role!
Panel Discussion: Evaluation of Service‐Learning Components in the Classroom
Friday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. ET
Evaluation of service learning classroom components is essential to capture benefits and outcomes for both student learning and community impact to ensure continuous improvement. Given a diversity of service learning projects in the classroom, evaluation strategies may vary too. This panel explores the insights of four different assessments of service learning projects by determining goals for evaluation, developing capacity required to accomplish it, and addressing challenges associated with changes in delivery modes and the need for critical assessment of pedagogy. The panel will conclude with implications for evaluation in enhancing the outcomes of service learning projects in the classroom.
Panelists:
- Marina Saitgalina, Old Dominion University
- Cory Curl, University of Kentucky
- Emily Nwakpuda, The University of Texas at Arlington
- Patrick Bixler, The University of Texas at Austin
- Kirsten Gronbjerg, Indiana University, Bloomington
Panel Discussion: Inclusion and Technology Access in Public Affairs Education: Lessons Learned from the Crisis and Beyond
Friday, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. ET
The Next Generation Service Corps is helping fill a critical gap in undergraduate education by supporting the creation of new programs to prepare students for careers in public service. Founded by the Volcker Alliance and Arizona State University, NextGen Service is building an appreciation for public service values in a diverse body of students pursuing a wide variety of majors. This panel will preview of the first three NextGen Service programs launching in the 2021‐22 academic year, share early lessons learned, and feature discussion about each school's vision for new undergraduate programming.
Panelists:
- Luis Luna‐Reyes, University at Albany, SUNY
- Gabriel Puron‐Cid, CIDE Administration Public Division, Mexico
- Sherri Greenberg, The University of Texas at Austin
- Michael Ahn, University of Massachusetts at Boston
- Aroon Manoharan, University of Massachusetts at Boston
- J. Ramon Gil‐Garcia, University at Albany, SUNY
- Yu‐Che Chen, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Explore the #NASPAA2021 virtual schedule and format.