Six UNG students‑‑two undergraduates and four M.P.A. students‑‑presented research papers at the 19th annual Georgia Public Administration Academic Conference at Clark Atlanta University on Friday, February 24. The conference is sponsored by the Georgia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.Natalie Purser, a senior in political science, presented a paper titled, “Disfranchising Felons:  The Desecration of Human Dignity and Civic Voice:  A Rational Approach to Enfranchising Felons.” Jeremy Sharp, also a senior, presented a paper titled, “Naloxone Expansion and Overdose Prevention in Georgia.” The students wrote their papers while taking POLS 4330, “Public Policy,” taught by Dr. Barry D. Friedman during the fall semester.

M.P.A. students Heather Bryan, Jenna Rodgers, Ruthanne Conner, and Bobbi Otis (L to R) presented papers at the Georgia Public Administration Academic Conference during a panel convened by Dr. Beth M. Rauhaus.

Dr. Beth M. Rauhaus convened a panel on “Public Administration and Management of Future Public Problems.”  During that panel, four M.P.A. students presented papers:

  • “Impact of Employment At-Will on Employee Motivation,” presented by Bobbi K. Otis.
  • “Outsourced Training and Employee Commitment,” presented by Heather Bryan.
  • “Realigning Values: Proposals to Combat Sexual Trafficking,” presented by Ruthanne Conner.
  • “Managing Different Generations: Let’s All Try to Work Together,” presented by Jenna Rodgers.

Dr. Stephen Northam served as the discussant for that panel.

Heather Bryan presented a second paper, “The Effect of NIMBY:  Citizen Involvement and the Development of Outdoor Gun Range Policy,” at a panel on “Policy Analysis.”