Summer 2024 Newsletter

Soni Earns Outstanding Untenured Professor Teaching Award

Assistant Professor Anmol Soni recently received the 2023-2024

E. J. Ourso College of Business Outstanding Untenured Professor Teaching Award. This well-deserved honor recognizes her ability to connect with students.

Department Presents Data Science/AI Lecture

The Department of Public Administration and E. J. Ourso College hosted Alfred Spector, a distinguished visiting scholar at MIT and senior advisor at Blackstone, for an enlightening presentation on the effective application of data science and artificial intelligence. The talk drew from Spector's recent book, Data Science in Context. Participants gained a deeper understanding of these technologies' transformative potential and the need to navigate their intricate challenges.

Attendees included US Senator Bill Cassidy, who joined Professor Roy Heidelberg in co-teaching a public administration course focused on the ethics and regulation of artificial intelligence.

LSU Graduate Research Conference Presentations

Three MPA students, who are slated to graduate in December, were selected to present their research at the 2nd annual LSU Graduate Research Conference.

"Everything Under the Sun: An Examination of State-level Solar Energy Policy"

Anna Claire Pousson

Kathryn "KK" Welty

Pousson and Welty's presentation won first place in the Business and Mass Communication Division.

"Does Hard Work Pay? Exploring the relationship on how work hours affect income levels across different age groups and genders"

Marcus Ashiangmor

Student Earns 2nd Place in NASPAA Competition

Current MPA student Gakeria Barnes participated in a simulation competition sponsored by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) at Rice University.

The Host Nations Simulation taught students to deliver effective and equitable policies, consider the diverse needs of various populations, interpret data to evaluate and reorient policy decisions, practice inclusive decision-making, and navigate challenging and asymmetrical intergovernmental relations.

Barnes's team ended the competition in 2nd place, just .12 points behind the winning team.

Student Organization Encourages Community Involvement

The Public Administration Student Association (PASA) actively contributes to our community. In March, the students were joined by department faculty and staff in volunteering to sort and package donations at the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank.

Faculty Research and Grant Highlights

Outside of the classroom, our professors continuously examine organizational, administrative, and policy sciences as they apply to government and governance. Here are a few of their recent highlights:

Associate Professor Suzy Caleo

Caleo's article "Women at Work: Pathways from Gender Stereotypes to Gender Bias and Discrimination" was published in the Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior.

Associate Professor Roy Heidelberg

Heidelberg spoke about AI-powered pedagogy at the 2024 John Breaux Symposium, which focused on AI in mass communication and was held by The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at the Manship School of Mass Communication.

View the recording

Associate Professor Robin Lemaire

Lemaire was elected vice chair of the American Society for Public Administration's Section on Complexity and Network Studies, where she will serve until 2027. Her article "Acquiesce, Compromise, or Avoid? Collaboration, Coordination, & Cooperation as Different Strategic Responses to Institutional Pressures" was published in The American Review of Public Administration.

Assistant Professor Holly Peterson

Peterson's article "Shelter from the Storm: How Perceived Extreme Event Experience and Government Trust Shape Public Support for Climate Change Mitigation Policy in the United States" was published in Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy. She is also co-principal investigator on "Network and Policy Analysis for the Office of State Policy Framework," a study sponsored by the Louisiana Division for Administration.

Assistant Professor Anmol Soni

Soni is the principal investigator on “Utility Scale Solar in Louisiana: Mapping the Research, Policy, and Justice Landscape,” a study sponsored by the LSU Institute for Energy Innovation.

Associate Professor Min Su

Su received the Kathy and Roy O. Martin III Faculty Research Award for her study "High Tide, Low Revenue: The Impacts of Rising Sea Levels on Local Governments' Fiscal Stress."

Alumni News

2024 MPA Alumni Awards

The Department of Public Administration congratulates its 2024 alumni award winners. These individuals elevate our program's reputation and inspire current students through their outstanding accomplishments.

2024 MPA Alum of the Year

Jonathan Soileau MPA '04

Chief, Planning, Performance, and Evaluation/Deputy Performance Improvement Officer, U.S. Office of Personnel Management in Washington, DC

Awarded for exceptional contributions and distinguished leadership in public service

2024 MPA Rising Leader

Kelsea McCrary MPA '20

Chief Economic & Cultural Development Officer for the City of Monroe, Louisiana

Awarded for exceptional strides in contributions to public service

LSU Names Country Phillips Vice President of Health Affairs and Chief Health Officer

Courtney Phillips has been appointed as the Vice President of Health Affairs and Chief Health Officer at LSU. Formerly serving as the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, Phillips brings a wealth of experience to her new role. She will be responsible for enhancing operational efficiency, developing new revenue streams, and fostering collaborations across the LSU system to improve healthcare in Louisiana. Phillips was named LSU Department of Public Administration Alum of the Year in 2019.

Emeritus Professor Speaks at Policy Professional Association

Professor Emeritus Jim Richardson shared insights during the Policy Professional Association's first meeting in April. Richardson, who is one of the department's founders, was a longtime figure on Louisiana's Revenue Estimating Conference and played a significant role in revenue policy and tax reform initiatives throughout the state's recent history.

PAR Louisiana launched the Policy Professional Association as a professional development and networking resource for policy professionals.

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