Schaefer Center for Public Policy - University of Baltimore

10/07/2026

The Schaefer Center for Public Policy congratulates Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program alumna Tia Brunson on her new role as Chief Administrator of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Tia was part of the Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program Class of 2024. She also received a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice from The University of Baltimore.

Congratulations, Tia!

The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs

10/06/2026

NextGen Leaders for Public Service Manager Pat Mikos closed out Day 2 of the Schaefer Center for Public Policy's NextGen Leaders fall retreat with a video clip from Citizen Schaefer, a video documentary produced by Maryland Public Television.

Established April 1985, the Schaefer Center was named in honor of then-Mayor William Donald Schaefer, a University of Baltimore Law School alumnus, in recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedicated public service at both the state and local levels. Watch the full video here to learn about William Donald Schaefer's unparalleled 51 years in public service as former mayor, governor, and comptroller: https://www.pbs.org/video/mpt-specials-citizen-schaefer/

The University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs
The Volcker Alliance

The former mayor, governor and comptroller's unparalleled 51 years in public office.

10/05/2026

The Schaefer Center for Public Policy congratulates Dr. Ann Cotten on being named to the incoming class of National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) Fellows Dr. Cotten joins more than 1,000 current Fellows, including former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors, and state legislators, as well as prominent scholars, executives, nonprofit leaders, and more. She is recognized for her contributions to the fields of public administration and policy.

Ivan Sascha Sheehan, interim dean and professor of the The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs, said, "Dr. Cotten's election as a NAPA Fellow is a high honor and a richly deserved recognition of her exceptional contributions to public administration and public service. She has earned this distinction through her leadership, expertise, and a sustained commitment to advancing the field. It's also a proud moment for the College of Public Affairs and the University, as having one of our own recognized by an organization of NAPA's stature reflects the caliber of our faculty and the Schaefer Center, along with our commitment to public service and the impact of our College. We are delighted to celebrate Dr. Cotten's achievement."

Congratulations, Dr. Cotten and all of the incoming 2026 Academy Fellows!

Read the full press release: https://www.ubalt.edu/about/newsroom/ubaltnews-ann-cotten-named-napa-fellow.cfm

The University of Baltimore

10/01/2026

Jason Michael Perry, Founder and Chief AI Officer of PerryLabs, led Maryland Certified Public Manager Program Class of 2026, Cohort 24 through a presentation on artificial intelligence (AI) and its rapid evolution. This interactive session explored AI technology and its impact on public service delivery and society.

Jason also serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Baltimore's Merrick School of Business.

Thanks, Jason, for sharing your insights with us!

Visit link in bio to learn more about the Schaefer Center for Public Policy - University of Baltimore@'s Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program.

The University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs

09/30/2026

One of the benefits to being part of the Center for Public Policy's NextGen Leaders for Public Service Program community is the opportunity to engage in peer learning. At the NextGen Leaders fall retreat, students heard from fellow NextGen Leaders, Chauntell Miller, Seth Parlow, and Rogernette Green as well as NextGen host site supervisors, from Lucille Clifton Legacy and The Clifton House (Joel Diaz), Maryland Department of Emergency Management- MDEM, Maryland Department of General Services (Jamar Day) in a panel discussion around making the most of the internship experience.

Panelists consistently reinforced the importance of networking, being proactive, asking questions, and communicating. Students walked away with advice they can take into their internships and future professional experiences. NextGen Leaders Manager Pat Mikos and NextGen Leaders Internship Coordinator Calvin Brown facilitated the discussion.

Our NextGen Leaders program offers UBalt students real work experience and networking opportunities in state and local government and nonprofit agencies through paid internships. Visit link in bio to learn more.

The University of Baltimore
The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs
The Volcker Alliance

09/29/2026

The Schaefer Center for Public Policy - University of Baltimore would like to thank Senator Cory McCray for sharing his journey to public service with our NextGen Leaders for Public Service interns.

Senator McCray delivered the keynote presentation during Day 2 of the NextGen Leaders fall retreat at the The University of Baltimore. Senator McCray shared lessons learned along his journey and his approach to tackling the most pressing issues from a place of pure intention. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and receive a signed copy of Senator McCray's book, The Apprenticeship that Saved My Life.

To learn more about becoming a NextGen Leader for Public Service intern or host site, visit link in bio.

The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs
The Volcker Alliance

09/25/2026

Day 2 of the Schaefer Center for Public Policy's NextGen Leaders for Public Service fall retreat began with welcome remarks by The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs Dean Sascha Sheehan, followed by two interactive workshops.

In the first workshop, NextGen Leaders Manager Pat Mikos and NextGen Leaders Internship Coordinator Calvin Brown helped students identify goals and key experiences during their internship. Then, Brett Hunt, Senior Director of Next Generation Service Initiatives at the Arizona State University Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, led students through a core values exercise, helping NextGen Leaders identify how those values show up personally, professionally, and academically.

The University of Baltimore and Arizona State University are members of The Volcker Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing Paul Volcker's vision of an empowered public sector workforce. Through programs like the Schaefer Center for Public Policy's NextGen Leaders for Public Service internship program, the Volcker Alliance supports innovation in public service education, empowers rising leaders to build the democracy of our future, and connects talent to city, state, and federal government jobs.

Visit link in bio more about NextGen Leaders for Public Service internship opportunities.

09/23/2026

What matters most to Howard County residents? From public services to community well-being, the 2026 Quality of Life Survey conducted by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the The University of Baltimore provides a data-driven snapshot of residents’ views on life in Howard County.

On behalf of Howard County Government, the Schaefer Center’s research team conduct two surveys of county residents, a Random Household Survey (RHS) which was distributed to over 10,000 randomly selected Howard County households and an Open Public Survey (OPS) included in Howard County Executive Calvin Ball's weekly electronic newsletter, The Ball Bulletin, sent to over 75,000 individuals.

"Through the Quality of Life Survey, we have gathered important feedback on the perspectives, opinions, and experiences of residents across Howard County. Nearly 90 percent of residents rate their quality of life as good or very good in Howard County, underscoring that our community remains one of the best places to live, work, play, grow, and thrive for all. While Howard County residents are pleased with their overall quality of life, our community members are still negatively impacted by a high cost of living and dramatic cuts at the federal government level. I am grateful UBalt’s Schaefer Center to better understand our residents’ experiences, priorities, and concerns. Thank you to everyone who shared their voice in this process as we continue to shape our community’s future." remarked County Executive Calvin Ball.

For more than 40 years, the Schaefer Center has served Maryland's public and nonprofit agencies like Howard County to deliver high-impact research and actionable insights. Contact us at [email protected] to learn how we can help your organization turn data into meaningful strategy too.

Interested in the survey findings? Read more takeaways and access the full report here: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News091726b

The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs

Nearly 90 percent of respondents rate their quality of life in Howard County as very good or good, while more than 80 percent would recommend Howard County as a place to live or work.

09/22/2026

The Schaefer Center-for Public Policy hosted its NextGen Leaders for Public Service interns for a day of teambuilding, connection, and bravery at The Park School. Our NextGen leaders practiced communication skills and teamwork as they worked together through a series of outdoor activities, ropes courses, and ziplines. Click through to see some of our favorite moments from the day.

Our NextGen Leaders program offers UBalt students real work experience and networking opportunities in state and local government and nonprofit agencies through paid internships. Learn more: https://schaefercenter.ubalt.edu/nextgen-leaders-for-public-service/


The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs
The University of Baltimore
The Volcker Alliance

09/16/2026

The Schaefer Center for Public Policy - University of Baltimore hosted its Maryland Certified Public Manager Program® Class of 2027 for their first Leadership Luncheon. During the luncheon, Stacy Rodgers, MPA, Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Human Services, Matt Scassero, MPA, (Retired) Director of Operations and Outreach, A. James Clark School of Engineering, University of Maryland, and Zak Shirley, J.D., CPM, Director, Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, Maryland Office of the Attorney General, shared insights from their leadership journeys, key factors that contributed to their success, challenges, and lessons learned. Over 60 state, county, municipal, and nonprofit managers from across Maryland gathered at the The University of Baltimore for the luncheon.

Dr. Ann Cotten, Executive Director of the Schaefer Center and Director of the Maryland Certified Public Manager Program, remarked, "Participants come from agencies across the state, and through shared learning experiences, they gain new skills and a network of colleagues committed united by a common mission: serving the people of Maryland and advancing excellence in public service."

Are you a public manager interested in honing your management skills to meet the complex demands of the 21st century and advancing your career? Learn more about how you can earn your Certified Public Manager® credential at: https://marylandcpm.ubalt.edu/

The University of Baltimore College of Public Affairs