70s

Michael J. May (‘76 BA in Urban Studies) to Executive Director, Maingate Business Development Corporation, Cleveland.

80s

Congratulations to Frances (Fran) Hunter (’89 MS in Urban Studies)!  Fran, Levin College's former Coordinator of Internships and Graduate Assistantships, received the Distinguished Professional Staff Award at CSU’s Curtis Wilson Scholarship Fund Dinner.  This yearly dinner honors distinguished black faculty and staff and provides scholarship support to CSU students.

Chuck Schuller (‘80 MPA) to Grants Writer and Administrator, Division of University Advancement, Cleveland State University.

Anthony J. Coyne ('84 MS in Urban Studies and member of the Levin Advisory Committee) had an article in the Plain Dealer on February 15, 2009, "Making the case for Cleveland's medical mart and convention center on the mall."

Simone G. Polk (’87 MPA) to Assitant Vice President for Student Services, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

90s

Lisa Nelson (’90 MPA) has a chapter on the Central Neighborhood in an important new book produced by the Federal Reserve Bank and the Metropolitan Policy Program of the Brookings Institution. Lisa’s chapter is noted here along with the web site for the full report. Nelson, Lisa (2008), “Cleveland, Ohio: the central neighborhood,” in Berube (Ed.) Concentrated Poverty in America: An Overview (Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and the Brookings Institution, Metropolitan Policy Program) pp.35-46.

Tijuan (T.J.) Dow (’91 MPA) was elected to Councilman--Ward 7, City of Cleveland.

Nickie J. Antonio (’92 MPA) serves as chair of the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus.  She was also elected in 2005 to a four-year term as at-large City Councilmember, City of Lakewood. 

Dale Case ('92 MUPDD) was appointed Director of Land Use, Boulder County, Colorado. Read Boulder County appoints Land Use Director.

Lora Lee Smith (‘92 BA in Urban Studies) is Executive Director, North Coast Development Corporation.

Howard Thompson (’92 MPA and President, Urban Affairs Alumni Organization) was interviewed for WCPN’s story “Upside/Downside:  Attracting Israeli Businesses to Ohio” on Friday, July 18, 2008.  Howard is the Director of the Beachwood Business Development Center.  Listen to the post here:  http://www.wcpn.org/index.php/WCPN/news/12708/

Michele Wyse (’93 BA) to Vice President, Director of Office Services, Cramer Krasselt, Chicago, Illinois.

Pamela Davis ('94 MUPDD) was noted in The Plain Dealer article Green planner. She has been hired by the Port Authority to lead an environmental review for a new site. Davis will manage practices affecting polluted runoff, air emissions and water quality. She also will spearhead environmental planning for the proposed move from the land west of Cleveland Browns Stadium to a peninsula north of East 55 Street. Davis resides in Lakewood.

Donald E. Graves (‘94 BA in Urban Studies) is the Assistant Building Commissioner and Property Maintenance Coordinator, City of Parma. 

Tracy D. Kulikowski (’94 MUPDD) to Land Use Director, Town of Weston, Connecticut.

Stanley R. Gordon (’95 BA in Urban Studies and ’98 MUPDD) to Neighborhood Project Coordinator, Department of Housing and Community Development, City of Baltimore, Maryland.

Tom Eastman (‘96 MUPDD) to Vice President, Tax Credit Syndication, Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. (Enterprise), Columbia, Maryland.

Daniel M. Lucas (‘96 MS in Urban Studies) to Senior Planner, Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department, Tallahassee, Florida.

Jerilyn R. Mason ('96 BA) to Public Services Assistant, Cuyahoga County Public Library.

Chris Ronayne ('96 MUPDD) was interviewed for The Plain Dealer article "My Cleveland, World-class city with self-esteem issues," on Sunday, October 12.

Frank J. Legan (‘97 MPA) to Financial Advisor, NatCity Investments.

Congratulations to Christopher S. Ronayne (’97 MUPDD) who will receive the CSU 2009 Distinguished Alumni award representing the Levin College of Urban Affairs.  Ronayne is the President of University Circle, Inc. and former Director of Planning for the City of Cleveland (under Mayor Jane Campbell).  Chris continues to be actively engaged with the Levin College and CSU.  He is a member of the college’s Visiting Committee, has guest lectured in urban affairs classes, and is a mentor in the college’s mentoring program.  The Distinguished Alumni event is scheduled for Friday, June 5 at 6:00 p.m. at the InterContinental Hotel and Conference Center.  For information about tickets, call (216) 687-2078. 

Kandis D. Anderson (’98 MUPDD) is a Loan Officer, Village Capital Corporation, a subsidiary of Neighborhood Progress, Inc.

Randell McShepard ('98 MS in Urban Studies) had an op-ed in the Plain Dealer titled "A New Year's resoltuion for Cleveland." McShepard is a co-founder of the Cleveland-based think tank, PolicyBridge. He is also a member of the Levin College's Visiting Committee.

Anthony J. D’Alessandro (’99 MUPDD) is President, D’Alessandro Research Consulting.

Cleveland City Councilman Matthew Zone (‘99 BA in Urban Studies) testified before a congressional committee on the need for increased federal brownfields funding to return old industrial properties to productive uses.  Zone represented the National League of Cities and the city of Cleveland before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

Levin College Visiting Committee member Randy McShepard (’98 MS in Urban Studies) was interviewed for the Plain Dealer’s story, “Minorities say nonprofit boards not looking deep enough among their numbers.”  Read the June 22 article here:  http://www.cleveland.com/community/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/121412357939280.xml&coll=2

00s

Immudiase U. (E.P.) Aimiuwu (’00 MUPDD) is Operations and Statistical Analyst, City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power, Economic Development Division. He was presented with a trailblazer's award by the City of Los Angeles on February 21, 2008. Pictured to the left is Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City of Los Angeles with Immudiase U. (E.P.) Aimiuwu.

Susan M. Harper ('00 MPA) to City Administrator, City of Cohasset, Cohasset, Minnesota. "After a few years in Wisconsin, I've achieved the position I wanted when I was in graduate school. I'm proof that 'you're never too old'."

Carolyn (Cummins) McKinnon ('00 MS in Urban Studies) to Policy Analyst-Economic Development, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, Olympia, Washington.

Sharon Gregor (’00 MS) wrote the book Forest Hill: The Rockefeller Estate.  The book unveils the story of John D. Rockefeller's estate six miles east of Public Square in Cleveland, how it evolved and changed over the years, and how its legacy continues.  From 1985 to 1987, Gregor coordinated the effort that placed the 81 Rockefeller Homes on the National Register of Historic Places, resulting in the dedication of the Forest Hill Historic District.

Mark S. Sechrist (‘00 BA in Urban Studies) is Chief of Police, City of Beachwood.

Erik Janas (’01 MPA) is Regional and Government Affairs Advisor, Office of the Mayor, City of Columbus.  Erik attended a meeting that included President-elect Obama and Mayor Coleman of Columbus.  Erik is pictured on the left.

Maureen Kelly (‘01 MPA) was recently elected to the position of Clerk of Courts in Lake County. 

Kristina Port (’01 MS in Urban Studies, ’02 MPA) is a Trustee, Russell Township, Novelty, Ohio.

Kent K. Smith (‘01 MS in Urban Studies and Certificate in Urban Economic Development) was in Iowa for the presidential caucus in January.

Angela Byington, AICP (’02 MUPDD) Office of Community Development, City of Elyria.

Zola D. Hardy (‘02 BA in Urban Studies) to faculty member, Bryant & Stratton College.

John P. Hoose (‘02 MPA) to Manager of Policy and Research, Cleveland Airport System (Hopkins and Burke Airports).

Dr. Mehnaaz Momen (’02 PhD) presented “Los Dos Laredos:  A Tale of Two Cities” at the National City Scapes conference in Cleveland this past March. 

Mark A. Campbell (’03 MPA and Certificate in Urban GIS) was awarded the Congressional Medal of Merit for his work during the flood on the Mississippi River in 2008.  The honor was acknowledged in August, 2008 and was bestowed through the office of former Congressman Kenny Hulshof.  Mark is the City Administrator of La Grange, Missouri.

Lee Chilcote ('03 MUPDD) is Marketing Director and New Construction Project Manager, Progressive Urban Real Estate (PURE).

Congratulations to urban alumnus Patrick Christie-Mizell (’03 MUPDD) who was recently named the Director of City Planning, Zoning, and Economic Director for the City of Streetsboro, Ohio.  TheGatewayNews.com article on his new position is here:  http://www.thegatewaynews.com/news/article/3819551

Rachel R. DeGolia (’03 MPA) is Director, University Health Care Action Network, Cleveland, Ohio.

Sandra English (’03 JD/MPA) to Coordinator, Law Admission and Multicultural Recruitment, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland State University.

David M. Fiebig (‘03 BA in Urban Studies) was elected City Councilman in Willoughby Hills.  He is the chair of the Recreation Committee and serves on the Safety and Planning & Zoning committees of Council. 

Benjamin T. Limmer ('03 MUPDD, Certificate in Economic Development) to Planner III, Valley METRO Rail, Phoenix, Arizona.

Bryan Lloyd (‘03 MUPDD) to Associate City Planner, City of Roseville, Minnesota.

Dennis Morgan (‘03 BA in Urban Studies) is Employment Specialist, Catholic Charities, Migration and Refugee Services in Cleveland.  Dennis was featured in The Plain Dealer’s weekly “At Work” profile on February 10, 2008.

Jake Baker ('04 MUPDD) recently passed the American Institute of Certified Planners exam this spring and is now a member of the AICP. Jake is a Planner for the City of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

Peter A. Pudner (’04 BA) is a Manager, WTC Energy Group, Seoul, Korea.

Bethany (Wagner) Heim (‘04 MUPDD and Certificate in GIS) to GIS Specialist and Planner, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC), Dayton, Ohio.

Seth D. Beattie (’05 MPA) is Program Manager, Community Partnership for Arts & Culture, Cleveland, Ohio.

Tanisha Briley (’05 MPA and Certificate in Local and Urban Management) and Joseph McRae (’05 MPA and Certificate in Local and Urban Management) are featured in the publication from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Local Government Management:  It’s the Career for You!  Both Tanisha and Joe are Local Government Management Fellows.

Jason M. Hamman (‘05 MPA) to Consultant, Silverlode Consulting Corporation.

Kyle Krewson ('05 BA, Public Safety Management) to Architect/Engineer Designer, Cleveland State University.

Matthew R. Minier (’05 MPA) to Resident Director/Adjunct Faculty, Cedarville University, Cedarville, OH.

April Raffay (’05 MPA and Certificate in Economic Development) to Statewide Data Center Coordinator, Ohio Department of Development, Office of Policy Research & Stratregic Planning, State of Ohio.

James Amendola (‘06 MUPDD) to Industrial Services Coordinator, St. Clair Superior Development Corporation. 

Rachael A. Balanson (‘06 MPA and Certificate in Nonprofit Management) to Program Officer, Work First Services Division, Employment and Family Services, Cuyahoga County.

Jessica Dillworth (‘06 BA in Urban Studies) to Development Associate, RSVP of Greater Cleveland.

Paul W. Irwin (‘06 MPA) to Strategic Advisor, Kenya Family Charities, Nairobi, Kenya.  He is currently volunteering with a nonprofit organization and will be returning in June after a ten-month assignment.  He has been developing the organization’s strategic plan, writing funding proposals and presenting seminars for staff.

Trevor A. McAleer (’06 MPA) to Fiscal Services Manager, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Alex McElroy (’06 MPA) to Assistant City Manager, City of Centralia, Illinois.

Jerry A. Rugley (’06 BA and ’08 MPA) to Program Coordinator, Youth Re-Entry Program, Cleveland, Ohio.

Sally M. Scott (‘06 BA in Urban Studies) to Veterans Service Representative, Veterans Affairs. 

Anthony J. Zampedro (‘06 MPA and Certificate in Local and Urban Management) is the Assistant City Manager, City of Mentor.

Christopher Bongorno (’07 MUPDD), Associate Planner at University Circle Inc., achieved Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation in December 2008.  As a LEED AP (Accredited Professional), Chris will be better able to serve the University Circle community as it strives to be a more complete and sustainable urban district.

Heahter E. Burton ('07 PhD) is the author of the fiction book Crimson Heights. Dr. Burton is an education specialist at The University of Akron.

Geoffry S. Brouman ('07 MUPDD) is a Development Analyst, Titan Relaty Group LLC.

Annetta Craven (‘07 BA in Urban Studies) to Legal Instrument Examiner, Veterans Benefits Administration.

Justin Glanville ('07 MUPDD) was interviewed for The Plain Dealer for the article "Figuring the Flats: Urban planner hopes green design can make an impact by the river."

Tamar Shroitman-Sarig (‘07 PhD) to Assistant City Manager and Director of Strategic Planning, Holon, Israel.

Kendra Smith (‘07 MS in Urban Studies and Certificate in Local and Urban Management) to Community Involvement Coordinator, St. Clair Superior Development Corporation.

Holly Cooper Whisman (’07 BA and current  MS in Urban Studies student) received the Ohio Board of Regents' Graduate Fellowship for 2008-2009.

Kara Chernet (’08 MPA) was chosen as The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Leadership Fellow.  The Port Authority's Leadership Fellows Program is a highly competitive, distinguished program for leadership and public service in the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan region. This two-year, fast-track, rotational program offers Port Authority Fellows invaluable on-the-job experience in planning, financial, and facility operations functions.

Amanda Darling (’08 MPA) accepted a Presidential Management Internship position as a Budget Examiner, Division of Budget, State of New York.

Jamar Doyle (’08 MUPDD) to Commercial Development Manager, St. Clair Superior Development Corporation.

Andrew Jarvi (’08 BA in Public Safety Management) to Emergency Management Coordinator, Columbus State Community College.

Tracey Kastelic (’08 MUPDD) is an Associate at Currerre Inc.,Cleveland, Ohio.

Iryna Lendel (’08 PhD) was selected as a Fulbright New Century Scholar for the 2009-2010 program, “The University as Innovation Driver and Knowledge Center.” As a New Century Scholar, Iryna and her colleagues will be engaging in multinational debate, discussion, and collaboration of the highest quality on a topic of critical global significance.

Janice Nagel ('08 BA) is Administrative Secretary, Legal Affairs, Cleveland State University.

Christopher Norman ('08 MUPDD) is the director, Crown Point Ecology Center, Akron, Ohio.

Shelly Peffer ('08 PhD) is listed on the Vindy.com website  Shelly currently lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she is an assistant professor in the Department of Public Administration at Long Island University in Brooklyn.  The posting was August 10, 2008.

Kelly Snider (’08 MPA) accepted a position through the prestigious Presidential Management Fellows Program as a Public Relations Specialist, Agency Wide Shared Services division, Internal Revenue Services (IRS).

Levin College Alumni and Student Connections

• The Levin College mentoring programs kick-off dinner was held on October 29. Senator Grace Drake, director of the Ohio Center for the Advancement for Women in Public Service facilitated the meeting that more than 40 student mentees and mentors from across the professional community met for the first time. The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are in their junior or senior year of college. Some of the mentors are Levin College alumni and include: Randell McShepard ('98 MS in Urban Studies), Tim Tramble ('01 MPA), Mary Cierebiej ('97 MS in Urban Studies),
  Chris Ronayne ('96 MUPDD),and Jeri Chaikin ('77 MPA).
  
  
• Special thanks to Thomas J. Hayes (‘82 MPA), Erik J. Janas (‘01 MPA), and Corey Schaal (‘96 JD/MPA) who met with current students during the  2008 Levin College Columbus Seminar.  The seminar, led by Dr. Vera Vogelsang-Coombs and Mr. Patrick A. Sweeney, incorporates intensive governmental experiences in Columbus, Ohio.
  
  
• Doctoral student Donald Oswick's article "It's all about commensurability-Isn't it?" was published in Administration & Society Volume 40, Issue 4  (423-426), DOI  10.1177/0095399708320192.  Don is the 2008 recipient of the Russell Kashian and Susan Oneson Award presented by the Levin College.
  
  
• Michael Cook (MUPDD student) was selected as a summer intern with the Cleveland Foundation.  Michael’s internship assignment is focused on Slavic Village.
  
  
• Levin College of Urban Affairs students attended the Conference of Minority Public Administrators in Hamilton, Bermuda in February, 2008. Under the advisement of Frances Hunter, the participants raised over ten thousand dollars to pay for this excellent educational and professional development opportunity.  The conference theme “Meeting Public Service Challenges Across Generations Through Strategic Collaborations” provided the opportunity for twelve graduate, undergraduate, and recent alumni to present researched papers about the City of Cleveland, as well as issues that are facing minorities throughout America.
  
  One of the Levin College students’ topics that spread throughout the conference was that of the “Generation X vs. Y:  How to manage a multi generational workforce.”  This topic was an excellent conversation starter and influenced participation and questioning by administrators of all ages. Students were also placed into a “great policy debate” where some of our students debated policy questions such as “Are we in a recession?” as well as “Is race a factor in the 2008 USA election?”  Congratulations to Celeste Noe, Brian Anthony, Erika Forde, Jamar Doyle, Najah Muhammad, Latrice Jones, Miche Douglas, Takeema Gumbs, Gwendolyn Johnson, Steven Omunyidde, Kara Chernet, and Christopher Smith.
  
  
• MPA student Celest Noe was highlighted in her work as a parole officer in the Plain Dealer's story "Cuyahoga County juvenile probation officer pays nighttime visits." The August 7, 2008 article is here:   http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/08/cuyahoga_county_juvenile_proba.html  Celeste is also the president of the CSU COMPA group (Conference of Minority Public Administrators).
  
  
• Engaged Learning--Latrice Jones, Levin College MPA student, speaks about her engaged learning experience and shares insights including her classroom and mentoring participation.  In her words, “I'm proud to be a student at Cleveland State University because I know I am being groomed to succeed.” Check it out at http://elstories.csuohio.edu/elstories/index.cfm?ID=L_R_JONES 
  
  
• The Urban Affairs Alumni Organization sponsored a “State of the College Address” with Interim Dean Edward W. "Ned" Hill on Thursday, May 15, 2008.  Alumni, students, faculty, and staff were on hand to discuss Levin College current activities and future plans.  A 2009 State of the College event will be scheduled next April or May.
  
  
• SPECIAL DISPLAY OF CARTOGRAPHY AND GRAPHICS
  Students in Dr. Sung-Gheel Jang’s UST 403/503 Cartography and Graphics class created poster size maps giving vivid impressions on how maps can effectively deliver information about varied urban phenomena.  The posters were displayed on the walls of the central stairway in our building.