Where did the month go?!

I’ve been doing some soul searching about what I will do when I finish the MPA program in May. I’m really craving some adventure, so here’s what I’ve decided: Western Europe! I have a girlfriend in London and I speak French conversationally, so those are two good prospects. I’d also be open to Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, and the Czech Republic. I’d like to find a job as a career counselor, academic advisor, or library program manager. I’m excited to be making some decisions and making them happen!

Classes: It’s midterms! In data we have a midterm next week and our first paper due. I’m doing a study on banned books and incidentally, it’s Banned Books Week! Two weeks ago we had a speaker visit from the Institutional Review Board, which was very interesting. Last night, we had treats to celebrate the three birthdays in our class this week! In budget, I’m currently in possession of our two-week take home exam. Tomorrow in class we’ll have a chance to clarify anything we’re having trouble with. In Human Resources, we’ve had two speakers visit and next week is our midterm. My partner and I submitted our paper topic last week, how wellness programs affect the bottom line.

Fall break is coming up October 15^th and 16^th! I’m going to Cleveland to visit my best friend where we’re going to the Browns-Bengals game and Canton to visit my cousin who recently moved there. I’m also really excited about volunteering for the Young Women LEAD Conference at NKU on October 16^th. The conference will feature two keynote speakers (Dominique Dawes and Julie Marie Carrier), a lunch presentation from Secret, and breakout sessions from female business and community leaders. And, this might be bad to say, but I’m already looking forward to Thanksgiving break! We’re going to visit my sister again in Daytona, Florida. Last year was such a great time I can’t wait to go back!

MPA news: Beth and I attended a career fair at Xavier where we met a lot of good potential applicants! I also got a chance to network and visit some booths including the Department of State. I’m excited about that and I’m looking forward to seeing them again tomorrow at NKU’s Nonprofit and Government career fair where Beth and I will be doing the same thing. Check out the two updates on our website! Two new students are featured in the Student Spotlights this semester http://artscience.nku.edu/departments/psccj/programs/publicadministration/mpa/spotlights.html and we’ve added an alumni profile http://artscience.nku.edu/departments/psccj/programs/publicadministration/mpa/alumninews.html! Very cool to learn more about people in the program and what alumni are doing with their degree. Also, the Fall Banquet is coming up October 24! This is a chance to connect with alumni and celebrate to department’s reaccreditation for the next seven years.

PASS news: We’d like to welcome Neil Kelly to the PASS leadership team! Neil will be treasurer for the remainder of the semester and hopefully move into another leadership position in the spring. Neil was very involved in student life at Mount Saint Joseph as an undergrad and has a lot of great ideas for PASS. We will not be participating in Service on Saturday this year as the date did not work well for any of our leadership team. INSTEAD, PASS will be hosting a book drive in conjunction with Worldwide Book Drive! The kickoff date is October 15 and will go through November 15 culminating in a celebration with pizza, drinks, and a book donation as an entry fee! Guest speaker Georgetta Kelly, Director of Human Resources at the City of Cincinnati, will present on cooperation and shared services. We will also determine the results of the PASS leadership election. This is one night of PASS you won’t want to miss!

ASPA news: ASPA is having a World Choir Games Re-cap event October 12^th. Nick Vehr is going to discuss Cincinnati's role in the World Choir Games with respect to issues such as safety, transportation, sight improvements, etc.

Whew, that was a lot! I’m out!