MPA Newsletter
MPA Newsletter - Fall 2025
Message from the MPA Program Coordinator
Hello, BGSU Master of Public Administration (MPA) students and alums. Welcome to our Fall 2025 Newsletter.
The MPA program continues to pursue our mission to create a collaborative learning environment that empowers students with the skills, applied theories, and community-based project experiences necessary to adapt to and succeed in this ever-changing public sphere. We take pride in the growth of our faculty, the success of our students, and the contributions of our alumni to the public good.
We graduated seventeen students in the 2024-2025 academic year, many of whom are working in local or state government (Village of North Baltimore, TMACOG, Ohio Auditor), at nonprofits and universities (Toledo Legal Aid Society, Partners for Clean Streams, La Conexion), and several who have been admitted into Ph.D. programs (BGSU, Wayne State University). Our faculty continue to engage in a variety of academic research and grant-funded projects.
I appreciate you taking time to explore our Fall 2025 newsletter!
Sincerely,
Dr. Justin Rex, Ph.D.
MPA Program Coordinator
Associate Professor of Political Science
MPA 2025 Capstone Class
In the last semester of the MPA program, students have the option of taking a Capstone course in which they complete a community partner project, develop a professional portfolio, and reflect on their coursework to demonstrate their mastery of key public administrator competencies.
MPA Spring 2025 Awards
MPA Graduate Assistant Visits Ohio State House
The BGSU Center for Regional Development (CRD) granted graduate assistant Jordan Gall the opportunity to attend Advocacy Day at the Ohio State House, representing the organization. Together with her colleagues, they interacted with fellow representatives discussing the impact of the organization.
“It was very enlightening to see how the relationship between the local government and universities can be utilized to help further the public good," Gall said. "Thank you to my colleagues and fellow representatives for this opportunity.”
BGSU MPA Student on NASPAA Simulation Winning Team
The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) offers annual Simulation Competition events allowing students from around the world to learn through practical opportunities. Applying their classroom theories on real world challenges helps them master skills that equip them for public service.
Together with students from six other universities, BGSU MPA students participated in the 2025 NASPAA simulation competition, and performed well. Caleb Steven Danielak, a key member of the winning team shared his experience from the simulation.
“I took the role of a WHO representative and communicated with leaders from other nations in order to secure foreign aid,” Danielak explained. “I also ensured open and safe borders for our country. Our team’s final policy presentation was rated best among all others.”
Danielak described his experience as a learning opportunity and a chance to interact with like-minded students from across the world. Caleb and his team developed skills in policy writing, data analysis, international relations, and economics.
BGSU Students raise $3,400 for community organizations
The Non-Profit Management and Leadership 2025 class led by Dr. Abhishek Bhati raised $3,400 to support three Bowling Green community organizations. As a way of experiential learning, every year for the past four years, Dr. Bhati has taught students theoretical and practical ways to manage non-profit leadership through the Students For Community (S4C) project.
“It is critical to help students understand the reality of leading non-profits," Bhati said.
Students write proposals and suggest potential donors to receive the proposals. They also come up with fundraising activities as part of learning. Fundraising activities for 2025 included a trivia night and Valentine's gifts delivery. Once the funds are raised, students send out a request for proposals to local organizations. Students then analyze the proposals and choose 1-3 organizations to receive the funds.
“The proposal analysis was the most critical stage. We had to identify organizations with values that align with S4C, their timelines, goals, and previous accomplishments,” said Emma Greulich, one of the S4C students.
The 2025 class disbursed grants to BG SONG ($1,000), BG Pride ($1,195), and NAMI of Wood County ($1,173).
“We are grateful for the grant because it will help us with the renter’s education program which is strong on empowering renters like students with knowledge about housing challenges,” Rebecca Strack, BG SONG representative, said.
MPA Spring 2025 Graduation
Congrats to the 2025 MPA graduates. They made great contributions to our BGSU MPA community, and we are excited for them to share their skills and make a positive public impact in their future careers.
Faculty Corner
Wells and MPA alum on how fire departments utilize social media
Fire Administration Program Director Dr. Dominic Wells recently joined MPA alumnus Todd Allen Kitzler and other co-authors to study social media strategies used by fire departments. Examining over 3,000 posts, the team found that social media is utilized to communicate emergencies and facilitate safe responses. Meanwhile, symbolic act posts garner significantly more public engagement than other types of posts. Read all about it in the Journal of Nonprofit and Public Sector Marketing.
Wells: How to respond to threats to democracy
Dr. Dominic Wells addressed the nonpartisan League of Women Voters in March on actions people can take in response to recent threats to democracy. His informative talk covered action steps from helping to register voters to attending town halls and contacting elected officials, among others.
Bhati finds that Facebook messaging matters in fundraising
Dr. Abhishek Bhati has expert advice for nonprofits interested in raising funds through Facebook: use multiple messages. With data from over 700 nonprofits, Dr. Bhati finds that nonprofits earn more when they convey multiple messages, like thanking their donors, explaining their mission, and conveying how they are helping people. Read about Dr. Bhati’s results in The Conversation or the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.
Bhati Wins Fulbright
Congratulations to Dr. Abhishek Bhati! We’ll miss him this year, but we’re thrilled that he won a prestigious Fulbright Fellowship to conduct research in India on the use of A.I. by nonprofit and civil society organizations. Read more about Dr. Bhati's Fulbright research.
Jesse’s new book tackles foreign policymaking around the world
From small states to great powers, Dr. Neal Jesse’s new book elucidates how the prevailing world order influences the conduct of foreign policy. “Comparative Foreign Policy: Choices and Strategies in International Relations” (Lynne Rienner, 2025), joins theory and case studies from around the world to examine how foreign policy is devised and executed.
Study Aims to Improve Infant Health in Ohio by Addressing Transportation Barriers
With an infant mortality rate in Ohio among the worst in the nation, Bowling Green State University Researchers are studying how removing transportation barriers for new and expectant mothers can improve infant health. BGSU, in conjunction with the University’s Center for Regional Development (CRD) is partnering with ProMedica and the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio on the project, which is being funded by a $250,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Third Frontier Research Initiatives.
Dr Justin Rex, Department of Political Science associate professor, and Dr. Nicole Fifer, Director of CRD, are leading the study. Undergraduate political science major, Anna McRay, is supporting the project as a research assistant with CRD, gaining valuable experience for her future career as an urban planner.
This is Rex’s and Fifer’s third study on improving infant vitality. In previous studies, mothers and healthcare providers cited transportation as a significant barrier to accessing proper medical care.
Rex and CRD Team Win Grant to Combat Gun Violence in Toledo
Congrats to our own Dr. Justin Rex, Dr. Nicole Fifer, Center for Regional Development Director, and Dr. Meagan Docherty, Department of Psychology associate professor. The team is partnering with the City of Toledo as part of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to combat gun violence. They will evaluate programs of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement to ensure alignment with evidence-based violence intervention and prevention.
Contacts for the MPA Newsletter
Updated: 10/31/2025 10:59AM