November 2023

In Loving Memory

This month's newsletter is dedicated to the memory of James A. (Jack) Krauskopf, distinguished lecturer and director of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management. Jack came to Baruch in 2004 and retired in 2019.


Jack taught and researched in the areas of nonprofit management, public policy, human resources administration, and emergency preparedness and recovery. Before joining Baruch, he had

an accomplished career in government agencies, nonprofits, and academia. Jack served as an assistant to the chief of New York City’s Human Resources Administration (HRA), then went on to hold leadership positions in government in Newark, Cleveland, and Wisconsin, before returning to the HRA, where he became commissioner under Mayor Ed Koch.


After his role at HRA, Jack held positions at nonprofits, and taught nonprofit management and urban policy. Among his roles was chief program officer of 9/11 United Services Group, which was formed to coordinate social services organizations helping those affected by the September 11 World Trade Center attack. He also was dean of the New School's Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy.


In his 15 years at Baruch, he was a much-respected teacher, administrator, and mentor to younger faculty. He established the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management in 2007, in what was then Baruch College’s School of Public Affairs, and led it until his retirement. He fostered strong links between Baruch and the network of nonprofits that serve New York City, and he introduced many innovative programs, including Consulting Day which connected nonprofit practitioners with Baruch faculty and experienced nonprofit consultants for free consulting sessions. He was an engaging and approachable colleague who always had time to talk about projects and research, and was welcoming to new faculty, whether over coffee and lunch, or hosting dinners with his wife Marian at their apartment. We will miss him dearly and cherish his memory.


To learn more about Jack, see this 2016 Baruch Faculty Spotlight and his formal Obituary.

Marxe Worldwide

The graduating class for the Spring 2024 Executive MPA attended an international seminar, "Ethics in Public Administration" in Berlin, Germany, for a program under the auspices of the European Erasmus Project.


Students from Belgium, Germany, Portugal, and the United States studied this topic from the perspective of the four countries they represent, as a cooperative project inspired by how different governmental regimes address ethical challenges. Can countries considered to be developed democracies march to the beat of different ethics drums? That is ultimately the kind of question students gamely considered.


The students were divided into mixed groups from universities in each country and worked on sub-topics that the groups chose for themselves. Students had a rare, intensive opportunity to work closely with colleagues from other countries with common interests. Professors from the different universities gave classes and supervised the group projects, which will be completed online with virtual group presentations.


The students studied such topics as: money and politics, climate change, and ethics rules in government. At the end of the in-person session in Berlin, they were treated to a crash course from a former U.S. federal prosecutor on criminal enforcement of ethics standards at the federal level, as well as ethics issues raised by the four Trump indictments.


The participating Marxe students included: Julie Bolcer, Executive Director of Public Affairs and Special Advisor, NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner; Jamilia Diaz, Director of Career Pathways, John Jay Institute for Justice and Opportunity; Somia El-Rowmeim, Executive Director, Woman's Empowerment Coalition of NYC; Brandon Gimpelman, Legislative Aide, Town of North Hempstead; Gina Lacayo, Senior Caseworker, Westchester County; Elizabeth Lebeaux, Director of Development, Columbia/Barnard Hillel, The Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life; Shyola Lloyd-Priester, School Business Manager, NYC Department of Education; Nina LoSchiavo, Vice President, Chief of Staff, Lower East Side Partnership; Michelle Ragoo, Program Director, Commonpoint Queens.


The program is supported by the Erasmus Project and the Marxe Study Away fund.

Student Success

Brooklyn Power 100 Honoree,

Somia El-Rowmeim (EMPA, '24)


Somia El-Rowmeim, who is an Executive MPA student and Founder of the Women's Empowerment Coalition of NYC, was named to City & State New York's 2023 'Brooklyn Power 100' list, extending her three-year streak for this honor.


Somia earned this honor through her advocacy work in the Union of Arab Women of NYC and the Women's Empowerment Coalition, both of which she founded. She shares the list with such New Yorkers as Mayor Eric Adams and Senator Chuck Schumer.

Read more about the Brooklyn Power 100

Alumni News

Power Player Honoree, Lydia Aponte (EMPA '22)


Lydia Aponte, who is an Executive MPA alumna and Director of Human Resources & Chief Diversity Officer at New York City Housing Development Corporation, was recently featured in PoliticsNY and AMMetroNY's list of 'Power Players in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion'.


Lydia earned her place as an honoree through her work in the NYC Housing Development Corporation (HDC). She has worked at HDC for the past five years and in her role, facilitates human resources strategy, administration, and partnerships.

Read more about the 'Power Players'


Read Lydia's Marxe spotlight from 2021

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