FROM THE DIRECTOR

Despite the challenges and loss in the world right now, the month of May is a constant reminder that there is always good to celebrate. From the all-encompassing Public Service Recognition Week, to profession-specific celebrations for teachers, nurses, public works, EMS and others, there have been many virtual glasses raised to honor those who serve.  

For us at the PPMC, May also means graduation. This year, Sarah Gooding and Brooke Bailey are graduating with their Master of Public Administration degrees from the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs, and both have been part of the PPMC team as Graduate Research Assistants for the past two years. These years have been a tremendous period of transition and growth for both Brooke and Sarah, but also for the PPMC. We are better because they were part of our team.

While we are all a little sad to not have the closure we imagined, we are so proud of both of them for obtaining full-time permanent employment in public service, especially during a pandemic. Sarah is the Assistant to the City Manager in Derby, Kan., and Brooke will soon be starting as a management analyst in Largo, Fla. I would like to just repeat: they did this in a pandemic.

For many, the month of May and its virtual celebrations were entangled with the numerous tasks in front of you. Whether you work in public service, a nonprofit, the private sector - or are a community member who constantly gives back, may you take a moment to pause and know you are valued by many, and to be grateful to the others who serve along with you. Mostly, may you know that while the world of public service will continue to be challenging, the next generation just graduated, and they are coming to help.  

Misty Bruckner
PPMC Director

UPCOMING EVENTS

A new monthly series where we chat or train on a relevant topic in public service.
 
Stay tuned for the next chat.

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) we have moved many events to virtual gatherings or postponed them.  We will continue to share information about events through our usual communications.  To join the PPMC's COVID-19 conversation,  follow us on Facebook and Twitter and use the hashtags #CovidBytes and #PPMCUpdates. 
Former PPMC Graduate Research Assistants Bailey and Gooding begin new jobs in local government

Brooke Bailey, Management Analyst 
Job searching during a pandemic was difficult because I had interviews lined up and when this all happened, I received e-mails from every place saying they would no longer be hiring. I was discouraged, but then received a phone call about an interview in Florida. 

I knew that the skills from my graduate assistantship and coursework in the MPA program would help prepare me. Now, I am so excited to start my new job in Largo! I am elated to start this position and learn ways to help my community and assist in whatever ways possible. I will be a management analyst in the Office of Performance and Budget for the City of Largo, Fla. I will be assisting with the annual budget as well as performance measurements for the City's strategic goals.
 
I am so grateful for the support I have received at Wichita State. When the PPMC found out about my situation during the pandemic, they began looking at ways to help and reached out to individuals that might be hiring. The PPMC graduate assistantship provided me with many experiences working in local and state government. I have worked on research and performance measurement, attended professional development workshops and assisted with many focus groups. Each project I worked on helped me add a new skill. The classes at WSU have helped prepare me as well. I have taken a few budgeting classes that will assist with the new position. 

Overall, Wichita State and the PPMC have had a positive impact on my life. I am grateful for the friendships, memories and experiences that I have gained during the past two years at Wichita State. Wichita will always have a special place in my heart and I look forward to coming back and attending as many PPMC events as possible.

Sarah Gooding, Assistant to the City Manager 
Sarah Gooding had the opportunity to work as a graduate assistant with the Public Policy and Management Center while completing her MPA.  Her experience there taught her how to learn quickly and to balance a wide variety of projects on a day-to-day basis, and these skills have been helpful as she began her role as the Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Derby on May 4. 

Her job includes research and analysis, program management, special projects, event coordination and administrative support functions.  In her first few weeks, she already is excited for the ways her job is allowing her to explore a number of roles within the world of public administration.  "I am excited to be able to serve and learn in Derby at this point in my career," Gooding said. "It's a great-sized community that is enjoying the growth that comes from a sustained willingness to invest in itself, but also faces many challenges common to all local governments."

"In Derby, I have the opportunity to continue my learning and growth under great leadership, and I am excited that the skills developed during my work at the PPPMC equipped me for the role I'm now in. My time at the PPMC was the best preparation I could have had, and I'm thankful for the mentoring and growth opportunities of the past two years."
Going Virtual: Inaugural PPMC Chats session features discussion about working from home 

On May 21, the PPMC hosted a live, online chat on the topic of "Working From home Fatigue" for which more than 50 people registered to attend. This was the first in a new monthly series where participants chat or train on relevant topics in public service. The chat was led by Paula Downs, Talent and Professional Services Manager for the PPMC, who shared her thoughts on the challenges and opportunities of working from home and why feeling fatigued is something that so many are experiencing. 

Participants were asked to share what they learned from working at home - why it is great, what has been difficult, and where innovation has occurred. As an introduction to the topic, Paula wrote a blog post about her working from home experience. The blog post touched on her new dress code, her own personal challenges and opportunities and the fun she has experienced with her new co-workers (otherwise known as her husband, daughter and son-in-law, 2 ½-year-old grandson, 7-month-old granddaughter and three dogs). The conversation was fun, and we look forward to the next PPMC Chats session in June!
Going Virtual: KSGFOA webinar offers public finance professionals a chance to connect

To help keep its members connected, the Kansas Government Finance Officers Association (KSGFOA) on May 22 hosted its first webinar - which 40 professionals registered to attend. KSGFOA members were asked to complete a budget survey that provided information about their 2020 and 2021 budgets. The survey results served as the foundation for the hour-long discussion. KSGFOA recognized that government entities are re-evaluating their current financial position while also developing their 2021 budgets. 

The goal was to engage participants on their challenges and solicit ideas on how they are evaluating their financial positions. The webinar, hosted by Ryan Adkison, Assistant County Administrator/Finance Director for Butler County and Secretary of KSGFOA, was an opportunity for finance professionals to learn from their peers about how they are approaching financial decisions in order to successfully move their organizations forward.
WSU's Office of Workforce, Professional and Community Education offering free self-paced tutorial courses

The Wichita State University Office of Workforce, Professional and Community Education in partnership with Ed2Go is excited to announce free professional development opportunities to the community! Ten free self-paced tutorial courses are now offered to you at no cost! 
Free self-paced courses include: 
  • Creating Web Pages
  • Creating WordPress Websites
  • Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
  • Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search
  • Keys to Effective Communication
  • Managing Customer Service
  • Marketing Your Business on the Internet 
  • Personal Finance
  • Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
  • Individual Excellence 
To register and view the courses, click here. To take advantage of this special opportunity, you must select the courses titled Free Self-Paced Tutorial. Courses are available through June 30, 2020. If you have questions or need more information, please contact jennifer.harry@wichita.edu. 
Check out the PPMC Blog!
National Foster Care Month
By Rochelle Strack 

Foster care is seen in movies and TV shows and talked about in the news, but what is foster care in  real life ? During the month of May, which is National Foster Care Month, those who work in child welfare and those who provide for children in foster care have an opportunity to dispel myths and speak truth.
Celebrating Public Works 
By LaShonda Garnes

As we celebrate National Public Works Week (NPWW) I extend a hearty Thank You to my fellow colleagues who serve in Public Works & Utilities in Wichita and throughout the country! 
Read More
The Impact of WFH on a Talent Development Extrovert
By Paula Downs

Early into the COVID-19 stay-at-home order, I read an article in which the author said she was "living with an asterisk" - that has proven to be very true. I keep reflecting on all those times when I said, "It would be great to work from home."  
Read More
Responding to Change
By Misty Bruckner
Bruckner family lore dictates that spreading mulch around plants and trees is one of the worst household chores there is. So, after appropriately avoiding human contact to get his truckload of mulch, my husband made the dreaded announcement: "Mulch spreading at 2:00."
Read More
Wichita State University Public Policy & Management Center  |   wichita.edu/ppmc
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