USF School of Public Affairs

10/05/2026

Check out SPA’s own Dr. Youjung Kim featured on WFLA News Channel 8! Dr. Kim is using 3D laser scanning technology on Davis Islands to map flood risks, evaluate building vulnerability, and help build a safer Tampa Bay.

As Saturday marks the second anniversary of Hurricane Helene hitting Florida, experts at USF have been doing research on how we can be better prepared for the next storm.

09/28/2026

We had a fantastic turnout for the launch of our inaugural Public Impact Exchange lecture series!

Thank you to everyone who spent their Friday evening with us and contributed to such an engaging atmosphere. We are especially grateful to our guest speakers, T. Michael Stavres (City Manager of Winter Haven) and Lisa Hendrickson (City Manager of Brooksville), for sharing their expertise on navigating municipal finances and tax policy reforms.

Thank you for making our first session such a success! We look forward to continuing these important conversations next semester! 🤘

09/17/2026

🎙️ We are thrilled to launch the , a new lecture series initiated under the leadership of MPA Program Director Dr. Markoski to spark meaningful discussions on key challenges in public management and local governance.

Our inaugural event tackles a major, timely topic: “Balancing Budgets and Essential Services Under Florida’s Proposed Amendment 3” featuring stellar guest speakers T. Michael Stavres and Lisa Hendrickson. See flyer for more details!

📅 Friday, September 25 | 🕡 6:30 PM
📍 USF John & Grace Allen Building (ALN 130)
🔗 RSVP: bit.ly/3ViJwIx
🍕 Food and drinks provided

USF College of Arts and Sciences

09/10/2026

We are pleased to announce the article publication by Dr. Ratna Dougherty and Dr. Christa Re*****on called Visual methods in disaster recovery research: Cultural and ethical challenges in implementation in Qualitative Research. The research was sponsored by the Humanities Institute here at USF and the Quick Response Grant from Natural Hazards Center that's funded by the National Science Foundation.

The article focuses on the 2023 Maui fires and examines the use of photo-elicitation to engage with community members and explore their experiences of recovery. Through interviews, researcher-taken photographs, and social media data, the study highlights the importance of cultural awareness, reflexivity, and flexibility when conducting research in communities impacted by disasters.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/14687941261451386

09/09/2026

We are pleased to share the article publication of Beyond the plan: examining collaborative networks and perceptions in the 2023 Maui wildfire disaster in the International Journal of Emergency Services. The article was published by Dr. Ratna Dougherty and MPA alumna and current PhD students Megan Corn, MPA and Savannah Havird, MPA. The research was sponsored by the Humanities Institute here at USF and the Quick Response Grant from Natural Hazards Center thats funded by the National Science Foundation.

The article explores how public, private, and nonprofit organizations coordinated during the disaster and compares planned response strategies with what occurred in practice. By examining the experiences of organizations involved in the response, this research offers valuable insights into how emergency management can strengthen coordination, preparedness, and mitigation efforts for future disasters.

https://www.emerald.com/ijes/article/doi/10.1108/IJES-10-2025-0066/1387927/Beyond-the-plan-examining-collaborative-networks

09/08/2026

📢 Are you interested in Nonprofit Management?

The Graduate Certificate in Management of Non-Governmental & Non-Profit Organizations is now available fully online and assists current and future nonprofit administrators, as well as those who aspire to work for NGO's or nonprofit organizations. The course of study helps students develop their skills in leadership and management, financial oversight, fundraising and grantsmanship, and strategic planning issues.

To start classes for Spring 2027, your full application should be submitted by October 15th.

Apply now at: https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/public-affairs/mpa/grad-certs/nonprofit-management.aspx

08/28/2026

Congratulations to our six USF College of Arts and Sciences graduate scholarship recipients! They are all dedicated to academic excellence in public administration & urban planning. 🤘
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🏙 Miriam is a MURP student & Fellow with the Hillsborough County Planning Commission, supporting community plan updates. Her passion for planning is shaped by flooding & its disproportionate impacts on underserved communities. She is committed to building resilient, equitable communities where people can live safely & thrive.

🏛 Naisha is a veteran & full-time student in the MPA program. She is passionate about public service & hopes to pursue a career in emergency management, helping communities prepare for, respond to, & recover from disasters.

🏛 Morgan is a USF graduate with bachelor’s degrees in history & political science, & she is currently pursuing an MPA. She works as a Graduate Assistant with our MPA Program Director to support program initiatives. She is passionate about public service & wants to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector, creating meaningful change for the better.

🏙 Michael is a MURP student. His work focuses on the intersection of land use & transportation, using technical tools to interpret data & inform planning decisions. He applies GIS & analytical methods to understand patterns in development, mobility, & risk. His interests include leveraging modern & emerging technologies to improve how planning is analyzed, visualized, & implemented.

🏛 Meghana is a graduate student in the MPA program. Her background is in social work & she has experience working for governmental & international non-governmental organizations in Nepal. After moving to the U.S., she joined the MPA program to continue her career in public service. She is passionate about public policy & NGO management.

🏛 Roxann is a recent graduate of the MPA program & she also earned a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. Her multidisciplinary background in ecology, education, & business administration has shaped a career centered on public service & community impact. She is passionate about connecting people, programs, & science in ways that strengthen communities & inform decision-making.

08/12/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Tamara Dimitrijevska-Markoski on her recent promotions to both Associate Professor and MPA Program Director! This is a well-deserved recognition of her demonstrated excellence in scholarly achievements and contributions to public administration and management. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments! 🤘

USF College of Arts and Sciences

07/31/2026

Read the latest publication by Dr. Dimitrijevska‑Markoski, Dr. Nukpezah, and Dr. Whaley! Their new study explains why achievement gaps among students with disabilities differ so widely across schools. They find that strong microsystems and well‑resourced exosystems boost achievement, while macrosystem inequalities hold students back. Published in the International Journal of Public Administration (Impact Factor 2.5; Acceptance Rate 7%).

👉https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01900692.2026.2676048

06/10/2026

📢 Are you interested in growing your career in local government?

Hear from recent alumna, Veronika Slep, as she shares how the program at the University of South Florida strengthened her foundation in public policy and governance. The program also helped deepen her knowledge and prepared her to grow in the field of public service. 🤘

USF College of Arts and Sciences