Welcome To Our New MPASA Board Members!

Guest blogger Paul Stavovy hangs up his post as the Vice President for the Master of Public Administration’s Student Association (MPASA) and welcomes the new board.

Hello MPAers,

First of all, I would like to extend a warm and deserving “Congratulations” to the new MPASA board. These students have attended several of our past board meetings, and I can honestly say that you can expect great things from this board!

Secondly, I would like to thank you all for allowing me the opportunity to serve as your vice-president for the past year. It has been a pleasure.

Most importantly, below are brief bios of each of the new board members. You probably know a couple of them already, but take a look and see who will be representing you for the next year! The bios will also be posted on the MPASA website.

Again, thanks for the opportunity to be your vice-president, and I know you will be in good hands for the year to come.

Sincerely,
Paul J Stavovy
ex-VP, MPASA

2009-2010 MPASA Board Bios

President – Matt Irwin
Matthew Irwin (aka, the “e-mail guy”) will be the returning graduate assistant for Dr. Stewart and the MPA Program come 2009-2010.  He is a second year student focusing in arts management.  In terms of leadership, Matthew served as the President for a highly successful student organization at Clemson University.  As President of the MPASA, Matthew hopes to continue the work of the exiting board in cultivating a tighter MPA and Graduate School community, especially through a new mentor program idea, as well as provide expanded professional development opportunities.

Vice President – Amanda Helton
Hey Y’all!  My name is Amanda Helton, and I’ve been in the program since August 2008.  I did my undergraduate studies at USC (big fan) in Marketing and Finance (Real Estate).  I am focusing my studies in the MPA program in Nonprofit Administration.  I will continue to be a GA in the MPA office in the Community Assistance Program next year.  I have enjoyed getting involved in student activities this past year, and am really excited to continue to be involved!

Social Chair – Ali Titus
Ali is in her first semester of the MPA program and is following the Nonprofit Management track.  She hopes to someday work within this sector to promote justice and fair treatment for underrepresented populations (though she is not sure exactly how this desire will be manifested).  She is excited about maximizing on her time in the MPA program both in and outside of class.  Among many other things, Ali enjoys good conversation, pop culture, social revolution, and living life to its fullest!

Community Service Chair – Caitlin Patton
I am currently finishing my first year in the MPA program, focusing in arts and nonprofit administration.  I got my undergraduate degree in music from Washington College in my home state of Maryland, and currently teach violin.  Besides music, I’m into horses, animal rescue, reading, and writing.  I love being involved in community service and look forward to serving on the MPASA board.  If anyone has ideas for potential community service projects we could do next year, please let me know – I’d love to hear from you!

Professional Development Chair – Anna Kate Cristophillis
I am a first year MPA student who is in the Nonprofit Management track at the College of Charleston.  I graduated from the University of South Carolina from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a degree in Advertising and a minor in Business Administration.  After graduation I worked for the CW affiliate TV station in Columbia as an Advertising Account Executive.   I am currently an intern for the City of Charleston’s Office of Cultural Affairs, where I am working to promote Piccolo Spoleto, Charleston’s 17-day annual cultural event that coincides with Spoleto USA.  I am on the Development Committee for the Piccolo Intern Event that is held the second weekend of the festival.  I hope to purse a career in marketing and/or development for a nonprofit organization or a government agency.

GSA Senator – Leanne Veach
Leanne Veach is a 23-year-old, first-year MPA student from Surfside Beach, S.C.  She graduated from Winthrop University in 2007 with a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communication.  She is on the nonprofit track for her degree, and loves both the beach, and her roommate’s dog, Oliver.

Finance Chair – THIS COULD BE YOU!