Graham Arntzen, President
Serving as your First Year Representative these last few months has been as informative as the position was enjoyable. As a MPP candidate focusing on global public policy, I come from a specific perspective, and it is often hard to adequately understand the needs of individuals in other majors. My time in PASA has been an enlightenment of sorts. Through the activities, discussions, and meetings it has become clear that although we may have different core academic requirements, we are all students in the end. PASA is suited to address all our issues, and it is the President’s role to ensure everyone is encouraged to voice their concerns and ideas.
The Humphrey Institute is a growing community, and PASA has a responsibility to take an active role in this expansion. My vision, what I hope to become our vision, is for PASA to continue its current role as the governing body for the students, but also to strengthen its role as a vessel to develop our ties to fellow University of Minnesota students, alumni, and other public affairs schools. Furthermore, I would push for PASA to create new opportunities for students through the possible development of a student newsletter, debate club, or sister-school student exchange program.
I ask for your vote for President of PASA, and I thank you for your continuing commitment to our collective goals.
Contact information: arntz008@umn.edu, 406.425.0276
Tony Gertz, Vice President
It would be an honor and a privilege if I were allowed to represent the Public Affairs Student body as Vice President. However, before anyone casts their ballot I am compelled to answer some of the difficult questions. Those being: why I am drawn to a dutiful position on PASA? And why in the capacity of Vice President should I be allowed to serve?
In response to the 1st question, I think only a brief explanation is needed. Everyone at Humphrey has some desire to serve the community, the public, and the larger world around us. Being so, I wish to fulfill my desire to serve the public as your Vice-President. Of course this answer begs the next question.
The demands and talents necessary to be an effective Vice President are in accordance with my own. The position will demand a strong ability to coordinate between PASA committees, assist in the administration of PASA meetings, and ensure PASA operations and events are smoothly run from inception to completion. This is who I am, this is how I operate, I’m a taskmaster. As Colonel John ‘Hannibal’ Smith from the A-Team always said, “I love it when a plan comes together.”
Matt Henry, Vice President
Hello fellow Humphrey Students! Matt Henry here. I have enjoyed getting to know you both as a fellow student and as your PASA First Year Representative.
It has been an honor to serve the Humphrey community, and with your help I hope to continue serving as your PASA Vice-President. I have seen first hand the good that PASA brings. The great thing about PASA is that it provides a way for students to communicate with all who are involved in their day to day lives (Professors, administrators, building maintenance people, and of course fellow students), enriching the school experience for all.
It brings me joy to listen to students’ needs and then make things happen.
I wish to thank all the students who made this past semester safe, educational, and fun. I think of the Humphrey not just as a place to learn, but a place to grow. I hope you feel the same and support me in this election.
Yoshi Ludwig, Secretary
Greetings! My name is Yoshi Ludwig, a first-year student in the MPP program with a concentration in Global Policy. Unimportant interests include foreign language, art history, and swimming.
I am running for the position as Secretary, because my given skills in writing would be suited for the task. I love writing, and editing can become euphoric if I am given enough time (and two weeks is certainly enough time). My typing skills are faster than average; more than once have I taken up the role as stenographer for a group meeting.
The main reason why I am running at all, however, is because PASA did so much to make my first year here at the Humphrey both fun and engaging. I would be more than honored to help create that same experience (or an even better one) to our student body for the coming academic year.
If the student (voting) body deems me worthy for the position, I will do my
best to fulfill the duties therein.
Eric Kasper, Treasurer
Sandhya Agrawal, MPP Rep
I graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in English Literature in 2004. After graduation, my interest in local politics led me to join the Washington State House of Representatives as a Local Government Committee Legislative Assistant. During that time I learned a great deal about education policy and was inspired to join Teach for America. I moved to Gallup, New Mexico where I taught 6th and 7th grade intervention reading for two years. As a new teacher in a poorly functioning school district, I quickly discovered that my school and district administrators often overlooked students concerns and best interests. To counter this reality, I worked hard to provide my students with the best education possible, and to promote a strong curriculum throughout my school. These efforts led me to the Humphrey Institute, where I am currently pursuing studies in Human rights and Policy Analysis. I hope to serve as the MPP Representative because I value a diversity of opinions and am committed to voicing student concerns. I am also familiar with writing and critiquing curriculum, and could use these skills when working with the Curriculum Committee. Through my experiences teacher and student I will bring valuable insight to this position and am excited at the prospect of improving the Humphrey community.
Julie Warner, MPA Rep
My name is Julie Warner and I am running for the position of MPA representative to PASA. After working in the environmental consulting field for 20 years, I returned to the Humphrey Institute to complete a Masters of Public Affairs. I am applying both my background in natural sciences and my professional experience in managing environmental cleanup projects to the study of energy and environment policy. As your MPA representative, I will attend regular PASA meetings and keep you informed about issues at Humphrey that impact the MPA program. I will also invite a committee of MPA students to meet monthly to discuss issues of direct importance to our program and to plan periodic social gatherings. In addition, this year the MPA representative will work with a committee of faculty and advisors to explore the future of the MPA Program. Since its establishment in 1999, enrollment has increased steadily. The Institute is now considering adding new components to the program, such as an international internship, to provide additional options that will meet the academic interests and demands of a growing cadre of mid-career professional students.
Brant Birkeland, MURP Representative
My name is Brant Birkeland and I am running for the position of MURP representative to PASA. I enjoy working on teams and being involved in decision making processes. If elected for this position I will work hard to represent and promote the interests of the MURP program. Within the MURP program I am specializing in Land use planning with particular interest in sustainable growth and development issues.
I went to undergrad at Montana State University where I majored in Geography, which is still a major interest to me.
Outside of school I enjoy being in the outdoors, particularly skiing, fly-fishing, and hiking. I also really like football and I love to travel and explore new places.
I hate horoscopes and have no clue what my sign is.
John Grill, Curriculum Committee
My name is John Grill and I am running for the Curriculum Committee Chair because I would like to increase both the flexibility and usefulness of our coursework. I began my undergraduate studies in Economics at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, but I transferred to the University of Minnesota because I did not feel that the curriculum I encountered at UNL was taking me where I wanted to go. I chose Minnesota in part because it
allowed me far more flexibility in pursing my true academic interests. I graduated with an individually designed degree that unified my three areas of concentration: History, Economics, and Middle East Area Studies. I would like to bring this spirit of flexibility to the Humphrey Institute and as curriculum chair I would enhance the opportunity of Humphrey students to focus on the policy areas that they are most passionate about while minimizing the burden of other courses. Related to this goal is my desire to make our coursework as relevant to real world practice as possible so that Humphrey graduates will be best prepared to tackle the specific policy issues that we are most devoted.
Ellen Hoerle, Curriculum Committee
I am an older student in the MPP program. I have been on several curriculum committees for the school district my children attend (Eden Prairie). Since I am an older student, I have several concerns about the courses MPP students are required to take, but also many ideas as to how to determine the value of the various required courses for all students. I am also interested in working with the Humphrey Faculty Educational Policy and
Curriculum Committee.
Tanya Balanger, Career Development Chair
I am dedicated to working with students, alumni, and career services to improve career opportunities for Humphrey Students. It is important to build professional skills and identify more internship and career options, both for the less experienced students and the MPA level students. I will be happy to work with students and career services to increase opportunities to become well-prepared to capture the best career options. You can count on me to follow through, and with your vote, we can work together to improve your future.
Maria Gaona, Diversity Committee Chair
A California native, I first braved the Midwestern winters to attend undergrad at the University of Chicago, where I majored in Public Policy Studies with a focus on Native American Studies. At Chicago I did my best to round out theory with practice through various community service and study abroad activities (e.g. volunteering at a domestic violence shelter, assisting with day laborer organizing, civilization studies in Argentina, etc). After graduation I moved to DC, where I worked for two years as an education research assistant at American Institutes for Research, a policy research firm. My next adventure took me to Sitka, Alaska, where I worked with Alaska Native youth as the Sitka Youth Court Director. After living, working, and learning in such a variety of communities, I've developed a strong interest in diversity issues, particularly in the public sector. Through the diversity chair position I hope to engage the Humphrey community in discussions and activities that advance our understanding of diversity issues, both locally and internationally.
Daniel Craigie, Technology Chair
I have been interested and involved in Technology for several years now. My main interests include open-source software, alternative media, and net neutrality. As tech chair, I hope to continue the overall quality of technology resources as well as improve the efficiency and eco-friendliness of our computer technology.
Desirée Culpitt, Community Engagement Chair
Hello, my name is Desirée Culpitt and I am a first year M.P.P. student at the Humphrey Institute. I earned my Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in Public Administration and Political Science. I am new to the Minneapolis area, so my initial plan during the first few weeks of the fall semester was to understand the community that surrounds the Humphrey and how I could become involved within the community as a student. This included attending CHANCE meetings to better understand the issues that exist within the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. During the fall semester, my involvement with CHANCE helped me understand the complex issues the Humphrey Institute faces in its interactions with the surrounding neighborhoods. I am running for the Community Engagement Chair in hopes to further create and enhance relationships, such as CHANCE, between the Institute the community in which it resides.
Ann Lindstrom, Public Relations Coordinator
My name is Ann Lindstrom and I am a first-year MPP student. I have wanted to become more involved in the Humphrey Institute and PASA since I began graduate school. I would love the opportunity to represent Humphrey students in this position and will work hard to maintain and update the Humphrey product line and will work with the Career and Alumni Development Officer to promote opportunities for Humphrey students. I am reliable and dependable and you can count on me to follow through with what you want and need from PASA public relations.
Katie Roth, Social Events Coordinator
I'm Katie Roth, first year MURP, and I'm excited to be running for PASA Social Chair! I'm a Twin Cities native who abandoned Minnesota to get my undergraduate degree at Indiana University, but since returning to Minneapolis, I'm falling in love with the cities all over again, in part thanks to all the great people I've met at the Humph. I'm running for this position because I think the best way to get involved in PASA is to share my enthusiasm for having fun with people. Also, I figured that since I attend many a Humph night, why not have a role in planning them? I can't think of many things more fun than that...I really enjoy planning events and bringing people together, and as Social Chair, I'll bridge the Humphrey community through Humph Nights galore, the spring banquet, and other fun events so cool I can't mention them here. Life at the Humphrey is made great by the awesome people surrounding us -- we work hard here, and we certainly know how to play hard too!
