Volume 8 | Fall 2023

School of Public Policy

Bexell Bulletin

Adapting, Learning, Growing

Our students in Bexell Hall no longer work on their typewriters as they did in 1930, but we've always adapted and used technology to improve how we teach, learn, and work - in and outside the classroom! Change is the only constant, and this year we have lots of changes ahead. Every year we welcome a new cohort of fantastic students, and our faculty members and students are adjusting to the growth of AI technologies in the classroom and research, which comes with its share of opportunities and challenges. One thing that won't change? Our interdisciplinary and applied approach to providing cutting-edge training and education, research fostering knowledge and understanding, and evidence-based solutions to the most pressing social, economic, and policy issues of our time.

Changes in our Graduate Program

Keeping with the theme of change - we say a fond farewell to Distinguished Professor Brent Steel as he steps down from his founding role as the Director of our Graduate Programs. After more than twenty years of guiding the program to greatness, we are glad to report that Dr. Steel will continue teaching and researching in his role as a faculty member.

Stepping into this role, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Hilary Boudet as our second official Director of Graduate Programs! Many of you already know Dr. Boudet and her highly-awarded research. Our graduate programs are in great hands with her.

Finally, we also welcome our new graduate program assistant, Michael (Mike) Terry. Mike is a recent graduate of the MPP program and already a great asset to our School.

Congratulations SPP Graduates!

We proudly celebrate 134 new B.A. and B.S. Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, and Sociology graduates from this spring and summer. In our graduate programs, we celebrate 35 MPP and PhD degree recipients, and 4 Graduate Certificate recipients. All are well-equipped to do great things for Oregon and the world!

At a luncheon last spring, we also recognized the top students in our undergraduate programs with a variety of awards and scholarships. Many of these awards are only possible because of the generous support of donors. Thank you for all that give to our student success! Below, from top to bottom, are Economics, Political Science, and Sociology awardees and faculty members.

Tough Questions, Realistic Answers

Should Schools have 4-day Weeks?

This is already happening in many school districts and it raises a lot of unanswered questions. Economist Dr. Paul Thompson leads this conversation nationally thanks to his research on the topic. This month, with the support of OSU and the Spencer Foundation, he will host a national conference to share insights and work on this important topic. Open to the public!

Are there community benefits from offshore energy development?

Answering this question, and getting a better understanding of community perceptions of offshore wind energy, is the subject of a $2.5 million project recently awarded to Dr. Hilary Boudet and colleagues by the U.S. Department of Energy. Learn more here!

How do countries' political and policy choices affect the credit ratings they receive?

In her book, Rating Politics, with Zsófia Barta, Political Scientist Dr. Alison Johnston examines how these credit ratings affect democratic choice. They show that ratings penalize center-left governments and many policies associated with the center-left agenda.

Spotlight on SPP Excellence

David Bernell is the 2023 College of Liberal Arts Thomas R. Meehan Excellence in Teaching Award winner! Dr. Bernell dedicates himself to the education of our students in and outside of the classroom, using innovative and experiential approaches to inspire and educate his students. Last spring he re-started Beavers without Borders and took a cohort of OSU athletes to Panama where they did a service learning project. Work like this highlights why he so richly deserves this award.

PhD student Rafi Najam was selected to receive a Robert S. McNamara Fellowship with the World Bank Development Economics Vice Presidency, Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) Department. Rafi is one of only eleven students from around the world to receive this prestigious opportunity. Congrats!

Public Policy major Kasaundra Bonanno was appointed as the student member of the Board of Trustees for OSU. Kasaundra hopes to work for the state of Oregon after graduation, implementing policies that better the lives of Oregonians. She is an excellent representative for the student interests and helps us highlight the importance of the university to the statewide community.

Beavers Take it to the Road!

Presenting at the Western Political Science Association Meeting

Last spring, Dr. Chris Stout and Dr. Rorie Solberg loaded up the van with our junior Political Scientists so they could present their work at the WPSA meetings in San Francisco!

Presenting at the Pacific Sociological Association Meeting

Dr. Dwaine Plaza helped escort a fantastic group of our Sociology undergrads and graduate students to present their work at the PSA meeting in Bellingham, Washington. Joining them were also Dr. Lori Cramer and Dr. Allison Hurst. A highlight was a meal at a local restaurant with authentic Trinidad cuisine!

Catching Up with our Alums

This summer Meredith Booker and Daniel Gray joined some of our current students over lunch to discuss their work and pass along advice.

Meredith (MPP '16) went on to receive her JD and is now the Appropriations Policy Advisor for U.S. Senator Jeffrey A. Merkley.

Daniel (MPP '17) works at ICF where his work supports several offices at the DoE on initiatives related to critical energy infrastructure and grid modernization, security, and resilience.

Join us!

Would you like to get more involved in what we're doing in SPP or support any of our student initiatives?

Email: spp-director@oregonstate.edu to discuss opporutnities or click on the link to donate directly.

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OSU School of Public Policy

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