Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs

TSPA News

Sean C. Nicholson-Crotty to present at MU's "Diversity in Action" Seminar: Truman School of Public Affairs Associate Professor Sean C. Nicholson-Crotty, will present "Reassessing Madison's Diversity Hypothesis: The Case of Same-Sex Marriage" at the this year's "Diversity in Action" seminar on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 12:00-1:00 pm, S206 Memorial Union. "Diversity in Action: Bridging Research and Practice" is a research-based brown bag series for faculty, staff and students. For more information please visit http://diversity.missouri.edu/action/. (more)
Missouri State Auditor Releases Benchmarks Report
Op-ed in the St. Louis Post Dispatch by Jeffery Milyo & Tim Groseclose: Who’s Afraid of Political Speech? (more)
Institute of Public Policy Awarded EAC Grant: For the second straight year the Institute of Public Policy in the Truman School of Public Affairs has been awarded the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Help America Vote Act College Poll Worker Grant. The EAC has awarded a total of $750,000 in grants to 11 colleges and universities and two nonprofit organizations to recruit college students to serve as poll workers during the 2009 and 2010 elections. Competition for the 2009 Help America Vote College Program grant was stiff, with 71 organizations requesting over five times more funding than was available. (more)
Senior Fellow Eric Greitens to receive George A. Smith Memorial Award: Senior Fellow Eric Greitens has been selected to receive the George A. Smith Award presented by the National Conference on Citizenship for his leadership in the U.S. Navy, as well as his commitment to serving war-affected children and cultivating leadership among veterans. The National Conference on Citizenship is an annual event that focuses on the state of civic engagement in America, and is designed to bring together civic leaders, educators. CEOs, and representatives from each of the three branches of government to address issues related to our nation’s civic health. (more)
Eric Greitens receives grand prize at New York Book Festival: Senior Fellow Eric Greitens received the New York Book Festival grand prize for Art and Photography for his book Strength and Compassion. The book features photographs from Dr. Greitens service in humanitarian crises around the world as well as essays reflecting on this experience. (more)
Dr. Judith Stallmann elected Fellow: Dr. Judith Stallmann, Professor of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology, and Public Affairs, has been elected a Fellow of the Southern Regional Science Association. According to the Association, "The Fellows represent the best of the SRSA membership in research, providing policy assistance, and supporting the association." (more)
TSPA sponsors Missouri P-20 Center for Education Policy conference: The conference will explore the incredible opportunities presented by Missouri’s new capacity to track the progress of individual students as they progress through the K-12 public schools. These data will enable researchers to answer questions about students and teachers that can improve decision making at the school. district and state level. (more)
Truman School Sponors Grants Summit Series: The Truman School of Public Affairs will be sponsoring the 2009 National Grants Summit Series. The series developed and presented by The Hawthorn Institute will take place in locations across the United States. Highlights of the series include the latest funding trends and appropriation update for grants funding, best practices for performance budgeting and sustainability, and performance grant writing and project management. For information about the series and how to register visit http://grantshub.org. (more)
MU Professor Recommends Changing Drivers’ Perceptions of Law Enforcement to Deter Drinking and Driving: COLUMBIA, Mo. – Recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed that an estimated 2 million drunk drivers with three or more convictions will be on the roads this holiday season. In 2007, approximately 1,500 people nationwide were killed in crashes that involved a drunk driver from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. Researchers from the University of Missouri and the University of Georgia found that the most important deterrence factors for high-risk drivers are their perceptions of the likelihood of being stopped or arrested and their support for deterrence laws. (more)
Professor Milyo's research on national TV: Jeff Milyo, a Professor in the Truman School of Public Affairs, has conducted experiments on how citizens respond to state campaign finance disclosure laws. Milyo's research will be featured in a segment on the ABC News 20\20 Special, "John Stossel's Politically Incorrect Guide to Politics" at 9 p.m. central time on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. (more)
Professor Guy Adams receives 2008 MU Faculty-Alumni Award: Guy Adams, Professor of Public Affairs was selected for the MU Alumni Association’s Faculty-Alumni Award, one of the most prestigious awards given to MU faculty. Dr. Adams was cited for his excellence in teaching and research and described as a "difference maker" for MU students. In 1995, Adams was recognized as Kemper Fellow for Excellence in Teaching. Previous recipients of the Faculty-Alumni Award include TSPA's Associate Director for Academic Programs, Dr. Michael Diamond. (more)
Alumnus receives Presidential Award: Michael Stahl, a senior administrator in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Truman School alumnus, has been selected for a Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Service. The award is the highest recognition available to a member of the Senior Executive Service. Stahl serves as a member of the Truman School Alumni Advisory Board. (more)
Eric Greitens receives Presidential Voluntary Service Award
Professor Heflin’s research cited by media: COLUMBIA, Mo. – An estimated 35.1 million Americans live in “food insecure” households. This means at some time during the previous year they were unable to obtain or were uncertain of having enough food to fulfill their basic needs. Consequently, many of those people seek aid from federal sources including the Food Stamp Program. (more)
Heflin Study on Food Stamp Participation and Mental Health Published: Dr. Colleen Heflin’s study on “Food Insufficiency, Food Stamp Participation, and Mental Health” (with James P. Ziliak of the University of Kentucky) was recently published in Social Science Quarterly. Their study examines whether the mental health consequences associated with food insufficiency vary by food stamp participation status and/or the value of the food stamp benefit received. They use longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics along with fixed-effect methods that control for unobserved heterogeneity to test their hypotheses. They find that, conditional on the food stamp benefit amount, the emotional distress associated with food insufficiency is higher among food stamp participants. Moreover, they find evidence of a dosage effect such that food-insufficient individuals who receive higher amounts of food stamp benefits suffer greater emotional distress than food-insufficient individuals who receive lower levels of food stamp benefits. However, the negative mental health effects of food insufficiency and food stamp participation are driven primarily by periods of transition onto the Food Stamp Program and into food insufficiency. They conclude that the negative mental health aspects of participating in the Food Stamp Program seem to outweigh the positive mental health aspects, at least during the period of application and initial receipt, suggesting that programmatic reform is needed to improve overall well-being among new participants. The journal is available at http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ (more)
Konisky Study on Environmental Regulator Attitudes Published: Dr. David Konisky’s study, “Regulator Attitudes and the Environmental Race to the Bottom Argument,” was recently published in the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. The study argues that concerns that interstate economic competition will lead states to relax their environmental regulation, potentially resulting in a race to the bottom, remain commonplace in both academic and public policy debates about state environmental policy. Most of the existing empirical work examining the race to the bottom argument tests the behavioral predictions of the argument. In this article, Konisky focuses on the attitudinal predictions. Specifically, he examines whether state regulators express beliefs consistent with what we would expect to observe if a race to the bottom dynamic operates within state regulatory decision making. Studying data from the State Environmental Managers Survey, Konisky finds that state regulators are sensitive to the effects that their regulatory decisions have on industry investment decisions and that their agencies are influenced by the regulatory decision making of economic competitor states. The journal is available at http://jpart.oxfordjournals.org/ (more)
Milyo awarded Distinguished Chair: Jeffrey Milyo, a Professor jointly appointed in the Truman School of Public Affairs and the Department of Economics, has been named the Frederick A. Middlebush Chair in the Social Sciences. This chair is awarded annually for one faculty member in the social sciences at the University of Missouri, and the award recognizes distinguished academic achievement in the social sciences. (more)
PhD Program Announcement: Beginning in Fall 2009, the Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs at the University of Missouri will offer an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Public Affairs that will prepare graduates for careers in universities, colleges and applied research settings in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Students will complete core sequences in public policy and management as well as research methods, and specializations tailored to their research interests. For more information, please contact Dr. Michael Diamond, Associate Director for Academic Programs, 101 Middlebush Hall, (573) 884-1656, truman@missouri.edu. (more)
Professor Heflin Awarded Research Board Grant: Dr. Colleen Heflin was recently awarded a research grant from the MU Research Board to fund her project (with Peter Mueser) titled "The Impact of Improving Access to Benefits for Low-Income Families on Case Characteristics and Dynamics." The project examines Florida's implementation of an online application process for Food Stamps, TANF, and Medicaid. Heflin and Mueser will analyze how this service delivery tool influenced the size of the program caseload, the distribution of program recipients, and whether certain groups were disadvantaged by this administrative reform. The Research Board uses a competitive process involving peer review, and Heflin’s proposal was one of only eleven projects funded in the social sciences for the entire MU system in the latest funding competition. (more)
Busting the Myths On Buckling Up: Car accidents claim the lives of more teenagers than any other age group, mainly because teens aren't wearing seatbelts. Lilliard Richardson, a researcher at the University of Missouri, set out to discover why teens aren't wearing seatbelts. He surveyed teens at licensing offices and met with focus groups in high schools and youth organizations. He found out that teens have many ideas surrounding the use of seatbelts. But is there any truth to them? Click to read more... (more)
Professor Receives Research Award: Sean Nicholson-Crotty has just received the Provost Outstanding Junior Faculty Research and Creative Activity Award for 2008. The Award is given each year to one or two junior faculty members to recognize superior research and creative activity on the MU campus. The award process is extremely competitive, and it is judged on the basis of "demonstrated evidence of outstanding contributions in research and/or creative activity." Dr. Nicholson-Crotty’s research on public management has appeared in the field’s top journals, such as the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and the American Journal of Political Science. (more)
Professor Konisky Awarded Research Board Grant: Dr. David Konisky was recently awarded a research grant from the MU Research Board to fund his participation in the 2008 Cooperative Congressional Election Study (CCES). The CCES is a multi-university, public opinion survey project that will be conducted in fall 2008. The Research Board uses a competitive process involving peer review, and Konisky’s proposal was one of only eight projects funded in the social sciences for the entire MU system. (more)
Truman School to Offer 4 New Public Policy Courses: The MU Graduate Faculty Senate recently approved four new public policy courses that will be taught by faculty in the Truman School of Public Affairs. The new courses are PA 8171 Environmental Policy, PA 8172 Health Policy, PA 8173 Education Governance, Finance and Policy, and PA 8174 Social Policy. The courses are part of a revised public policy specialization available to MPA students in the Truman School, but will also be open to MU graduate students from other departments. (more)
Institute of Public Policy Names Policy Research Scholars: The Institute of Public Policy in the Truman School of Public Affairs is pleased to announce that five Policy Research Scholars have been appointed for the 2008/2009 academic year. The Institute of Public Policy offers funding for Policy Research Scholars to support high quality academic policy research, support a vibrant academic policy research community, encourage funding streams supporting research, and disseminate academic policy research. The Policy Research Scholars help the Institute fulfill the policy research component of its mission by producing and disseminating their academic research, writing research funding proposals, and writing policy briefs to share their research with the broader policy community. The Policy Research Scholars have a diverse set of interests across several policy areas. (more)
International Students Bring Diversity to the Truman School: An increase in enrollment of international students reflects the visibility and prestige of a degree from the Truman School of Public Affairs. The School has 35 international students enrolled this semester. These students comprise 32% of the student body, a proportion that is similar to that found in peer institutions around the country, according to informal research by Truman School director, Bart Wechsler. More students come from South Korea than any other country, but students are drawn from other Asian countries, including China, Taiwan and Vietnam as well as former Soviet bloc counties, such as Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Kosovo. In addition, one student is from Peru and another is from Afghanistan. These international students bring different experiences and perspectives which both broaden and enrich the learning experience for all students. (more)
Despite Awareness of Global Warming Americans Concerned More about Local Environment...: MU Professor Finds Americans are Hesitant to Support Global Environmental Efforts (more)
Fatality Rates Increase with Repeal of Helmet Laws, MU Study Finds...: COLUMBIA, Mo. – Since 1975, more than 100,000 motorcycle riders in America have died in crashes. The majority of states required motorcycle helmets in 1975, but today, only 20 states have universal helmet laws that require all riders to wear helmets, 26 states have partial coverage laws (usually only for young riders), and four states have no helmet laws. A recent study by a University of Missouri professor found that the motorcyclist fatality rate has increased in states that repealed their universal helmet laws during the past decade. (more)
Professor Milyo testifies before Senate Committee...: Truman School Professor Jeffrey D. Milyo testified before the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration on "In-Person Voter Fraud: Myth and Trigger for Disenfranchisement." His testimony extends his Institute of Public Policy report on Indiana's Voter ID law. (more)
Gov. Blunt Appoints TSPA Alum Larry Schepker as OA Commissioner: JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Matt Blunt today appointed Larry Schepker, who is currently the State Budget Director, as Commissioner of the Office of Administration. (more)
James "Denny" Shelton (MPA '78), Chairman of the Board of Legacy Hospital Partners, named Executive Advisor of CCMP Capital…: NEW YORK-- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC (“CCMP Capital"), a leading New York-based private equity firm, today announced that John D. Bowlin and James “Denny” Shelton have become executive advisors to the firm, focusing on investment opportunities in the consumer and healthcare sectors, respectively. Mr. Bowlin is a 30-year veteran of Kraft Foods Inc./Philip Morris Companies, Inc. where he served in various leadership capacities including President of Kraft and President and CEO of Miller Brewing Company. Mr. Shelton has more than 30 years of healthcare experience, including serving as Chairman and CEO of Triad Hospitals, Inc. (more)
New Associate Directors appointed: Dr. Lilliard Richardson has been appointed as Associate Director for Policy. In this capacity he will lead the school’s growing policy research efforts. Dr. David Valentine will serve as Associate Director for Public Service. The public service mission of the Truman School includes applied research, technical assistance and training. (more)
Voter ID study cited by Wall Street Journal: Prof. Jeffrey Milyo’s study of Indiana’s Voter ID law found no evidence that counties with more poor, elderly or minority voters had "any reduction in voter turnout relative to other counties." The WSJ article may be found at http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110011102 and the paper is available at http://truman.missouri.edu/uploads/Publications/Report%2010-2007.pdf (more)
Blunt Appoints TSPA Alumn to State Rehabilitation Council: Rose Marie Hopkins, 49 of Jefferson City, is executive director of the Missouri Training and Employment Council. Ms. Hopkins holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and master’s of public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her appointment is for a term ending on March 11, 2010. For more information on Missouri’s boards and commissions visit http://www.gov.mo.gov/boards/boards.htm. (more)
Dr. Diamond appointed Associate Director for Academic Programs: Dr. Michael Diamond has been appointed Associate Director for Academic Programs. In this capacity, he will provide important leadership to the Truman School’s degree and graduate certificate programs. Professor Diamond, an internationally recognized scholar of organizational change, has been an MU faculty member since 1981. (more)
Students awarded Botner scholarships: Second year students Diana Gaughan and Bethany Zabcik and first year student Angela Vogel were awarded Botner Memorial Scholarships. The scholarship, established through a gift from alumnus Denny Shelton, honors Stanley Botner who served for many years as head of the MPA program and professor of public administration. (more)
New Faculty join Truman School: Jason Grissom (PhD, Stanford), Colleen Heflin (PhD, Michigan) and Sean Nicholson-Crotty (PhD, Texas A&M) have joined the Truman School faculty as assistant professors. (more)
Adams wins Dimock Award: Dr Guy Adams, along with his co-authors Drs. Danny L. Balfour and George E. Reed, received the Marshall Dimock Award from the American Society of Public Administration for the best lead article published in Public Administration Review. Their article, "Abu Ghraib, Administrative Evil and Moral Inversion: The Value of 'Putting Cruelty First'" was published in the September 2006 issue of the journal. (more)