ASU College of Public Service and Community Solutions brochure

The College of Public Service and Community Solutions is central to Arizona State University’s charter: measuring ourselves not by whom we exclude but by whom we include and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities we serve.

We are preparing the next generation to take on complex challenges in urban and rural environments by bringing together cross-disciplinary academics and research. Our degree programs cover the spectrum of public service including public policy, social work, criminology and criminal justice, nonprofit leadership, economic development, emergency management, public administration, homeland security, parks and recreation management and community development.

At the same time, our faculty and research centers are taking on the most vexing challenges. Through rigorous, applied research we are developing solutions with the potential to better our response to pressing issues ranging from child welfare to neighborhood safety, city management to human trafficking, water scarcity to tourism development.

Together the academic and research program of the College of Public Service and Community Solutions brings creativity, systems-level thinking and entrepreneurial spirit to the shared mission of creating, sustaining and promoting dynamic, healthy and prosperous communities.

building strong communities

Through the success of our faculty and students, we offer answers to society’s shared challenges.

— Dean Jonathan Koppell

Academic Excellence and AccessibilityWe are home to ASU’s most diverse student body, with the highest percentages of minority, transfer and working students—and the largest community of first-generation college students. Among our students are nearly 300 veterans and international students from 59 countries. Our highly rated programs are available in person, online—and we have an established campus in Tucson and programs in Yuma, Flagstaff, and Lake Havasu City.

FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15

Enrollment 3,491 4,169 4,509 4,811 5,525

Current Class Snapshot

Local Impact, Social EmbeddednessOur faculty and students are close to the partners that we serve. We are deeply embedded in the community forging partnerships to take on projects that have local, national and international impact.

And our students are not waiting to graduate to make a difference. Working alongside faculty who are at the forefront of innovation in these fields, students engage in hands-on public service projects. Through a wide network of community partners—many located in close proximity to our Downtown Phoenix campus—we are affecting social and economic change today.

800 community partners400+ student interns650,000+ hours of service in the community

1,589fy14

1,370fy13

1,192fy12

1,074fy11

Degrees Awarded

Lauren TwiggA member of the Arizona Army National Guard, Lauren is pursuing a master of public administration degree with the goal of improving public veteran services through local government support.

Tyandrah AshleyThe first in her family to go to college, Ty Ashley recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management.

“This is a career where I am doing something every day to help people.”

3,911 undergraduate students51% underrepresented minority students61% female students

1,614 graduate students50%+ first-generation college students272 veterans

The annual college day of service brought more than 150 faculty, students, staff and friends for a day of volunteer work at the Human Services Campus in Central Phoenix.

Frank SmithIn his first few years of college, Frank Smith did not waste any time. Frank turned his own experience in the foster care system into the catalyst for action. Pursuing a degree in public service and public policy with a concentration in business, Frank became student body president for the Downtown Phoenix campus, was instrumental in passing an Arizona senate bill and has been a tireless advocate for foster youth.

“Only 10 percent of foster youth even go to college, and only three percent graduate. I am going to graduate.”

Neda SpiricNeda Spiric went to Paradise Valley Community College before coming to ASU to pursue a bachelor’s in social work. She tried several different fields in social work, ultimately finding her passion in geriatrics. With support from the Gerontological Social Work Endowed Scholarship, she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work and is now pursuing a master’s.

“There is a need for caregivers and it is so rewarding.”

Lindsey HenchLindsey Hench, a graduate student pursuing a master of public administration is in the first cohort of MCLEAPS which connects ASU students with county agencies and community support projects for a semester. She is working with the Maricopa County Education Service Agency.

“I earned my MSW and know that helping families one-on-one is only one part to fixing the overall problem. Education can be a tool to help families across big systems.”

student successScholarship SupportMany of our students have personally experienced poverty and barriers to achievement. Pursuing a future in public service, they have chosen to be change agents for vulnerable populations. We have a dedicated financial resources coordinator to help students connect with the funding they need and much of our fundraising efforts are aimed at scholarship support.

Undergraduate ResearchUndergraduate research provides students with research, presentation and publication experience. An integral part of the research enterprise, these students contribute hands-on problem solving to real-world projects.

Tools for Transfer StudentsTransfer student support is a distinctive component for our college. We understand the differing needs of transfer students and have developed orientations and tools to help them be successful from application to graduation.

Internships and Experiential OpportunitiesA majority of our programs require a capstone internship, providing a meaningful learning experience and opportunity to implement practical solutions in their chosen field.

The Maricopa County Leadership and Education Advancing Public Service (MCLEAPS) program, is a new competitive internship opportunity administered by the college but open to students across the university. In addition to valuable hands-on experience, students receive a tuition waiver and stipend.

Every student in the college is challenged to identify a problem—and make that a real project during the course of their academic experience. We don’t just teach public service, we do it.

ChallengeHow Do We Provide Healthcare Access for Vulnerable Populations?

SolutionThe Student Health Outreach for Wellness (S.H.O.W.)—a collaboration among ASU, UofA and NAU students—is the first student-led clinic for Phoenix’s homeless population. Social work student Sandy Sutton says it is “seeing your profession in use.” More than 1,100 people visit or receive services each day. S.H.O.W. projects the average cost per patient to be $443, $310 of which is comprised of volunteer work from students, physicians, nurses and other health care providers.

ChallengeHow Will Phoenix Address Transportation Infrastructure Development and Maintenance with the Pending Expiration of a Sales Tax that Supports Current Operations?

SolutionASU is helping design and analyze a public opinion survey that will help guide a task force in the plan development and funding strategies for Phoenix public transit.

ChallengeHow Do We Reduce Recidivism for People Who are Incarcerated?

SolutionResearch suggests that visitation is important for inmates for a variety of reasons including recidivism, mental and physical health, but little research has examined why. Graduate and undergraduate students in criminology and criminal justice are working on a project that not only looks at quantitative data—number and frequency of visits—but qualitative information based on interviews with inmates. The goal is to figure what is working, and then use that information to improve results, both inside prison to reduce misconduct and improve quality of life for inmates as well as to increase the chances of success for inmates after release.

ChallengeHow Can We Strengthen the Child Welfare System?

SolutionDesaray Klimenko grew up in the child welfare system until she aged out. Now, pursuing her master’s in social work, Klimenko wants to be a part of the solution and help support the well-being of children. Klimenko is part of the Arizona Citizen Review Panel program. She is working alongside advocates from a variety of sectors—education, law enforcement, health care, government and social service—as volunteers to identify strategies that improve outcomes for children and promote the broader child welfare community.

ChallengeHow Do We Assess the Potential Economic Impact of Tourism?

SolutionThrough the Center for Sustainable Tourism, teams of students tie community needs and economic development efforts to assess tourism development. Groups have worked on projects for both rural and metro areas including Globe, Marana, Greenlee, Bisbee, Wickenburg, Maricopa, Peoria and Scottsdale.

ChallengeHow Can We Proactively Reduce Crime?

SolutionStudents working with professor Danielle Wallace code massive numbers of photos of abandoned buildings to create large data sets, and find creative ways to look at time trends and develop an understanding of the data. The project is aimed at looking at whether changes in abandoned buildings affect surrounding crime rates.

community solutions corps

School of Community Resources and DevelopmentThe School of Community Resources and Development advances the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of our local and global communities through instruction, research and service. We provide nationally recognized interdisciplinary research expertise and innovative academic programs in nonprofit leadership and management, parks and recreation management, and tourism development and management.

Kathleen Andereck Director

School of Criminology and Criminal JusticeThe School of Criminology and Criminal Justice merges theory and practice. The core of our highly-ranked program—#12 overall by US News & World Report—focuses on the theories of criminality and evidence-based best practices for responding to crime through the lenses of three inter-related structures—policing, courts and corrections—which collectively comprise the criminal justice system.

Cassia Spohn Director

School of Public AffairsThe School of Public Affairs is developing outstanding public leaders; people who are committed to making a difference in our world and who are well prepared to meet the rigorous demands and substantial challenges of the future. We are the only public administration program in the Phoenix area to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) and are consistently ranked among the top 20 public affairs schools in the country and #2 in urban management.

Karen Mossberger Director

School of Social WorkThe School of Social Work prepares social work practitioners committed to social justice and to serving and empowering individuals, families and communities. We are among the largest and most diverse social work programs in the U.S., with over 1,400 students now enrolled at our Phoenix and Tucson locations, more than 800 field placement sites and more than 10,000 alumni. We offer the only MSW program in the state of Arizona.

Michelle Mohr Carney Director

our schoolsUndergraduate Graduate

DoctoralDoctor of Philosophy Community Resources and Development Doctor of Philosophy Criminology and Criminal Justice Doctor of Philosophy Public Administration and PolicyDoctor of Philosophy Social Work

Bachelor of Science Community Sports

Management

Bachelor of Science Criminology and Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Applied Science

Emergency Management and

Homeland Security

Bachelor of Science Nonprofit Leadership

and Management

Bachelor of Science Parks and Recreation

Management

Bachelor of Science Public Service

and Public Policy

Bachelor of Social Work

Bachelor of Science Therapeutic Recreation

Bachelor of Science Tourism

Development and Management

Bachelor of Science Urban and

Metropolitan Studies

Master of Science Community Resources and Development

Master of Arts Criminal Justice

Master of Science Criminology and Criminal Justice

Master of Arts Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Master of Nonprofit Studies

Master of Science Program Evaluation

Master of Public Administration

Master of Public Policy

Master of Public Safety Leadership and Administration

Master of Social Work

Master of Applied Science Sustainable Tourism

degree programs

Our research is use-inspired, integrating the theoretical and the applied approaches to find solutions to complex issues of modern living and governance. Our unique structure—with expertise across a broad range of areas—complements our entrepreneurial approach.

2012

2013

2014

12,724,871

14,346,830

15,317,817

Research Expenditures

solutions-oriented researchChallengeAddressing Factors that Influence Adolescent Risk Behaviors

SolutionFlavio Marsiglia, director, and Stephen Kulis, director of research, for the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC) are working on a cultural adaptation and feasibility trial of the SIRC keepin’ it REAL adolescent substance abuse curriculum, a culturally grounded drug prevention curriculum for grades 6-9 that has been proven effective for reducing drug use and establishing anti-drug attitudes and beliefs.

ChallengeNearly Half of the 1.5 Million Incarcerated Adults Have Minor Children Outside of Prison

SolutionJudy Krysik, associate professor and associate director in the School of Social Work, and Nancy Rodriquez, professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, held a town hall meeting with professionals in child welfare, education, justice, behavioral health, child crisis, domestic violence services, and local and state government officials to discuss findings from their joint research report, Children of Incarcerated Parents, and encourage collaborative solutions.

ChallengeFinancing the Future of Our Cities

SolutionThe promise of technology-driven, “smart” cities offers a genuine opportunity to improve the livability of the world’s cities, but the challenge of financing infrastructure updates can be daunting. ASU’s Center for Urban Innovation partnered with the Smart Cities Council to outline some of the most promising tools to help cities improve the efficiency of large-scale systems, such as water and transportation, to smaller projects.

ChallengeAddressing Sustainability Challenges

SolutionIn the desert Southwest, water is a particularly precious resource and sun can be both an abundant source of energy and a challenge to mitigate heat-island effects. Dave White, a researcher in the NSF-funded Decision Center for a Desert City seeks to advance understanding of environmental decision-making. He is part of a team awarded a $20 million grant from the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency aimed at anticipating and mitigating national security risks associated with climate change.

research centers and institutes

Alliance for InnovationInspiring innovation to advance communities through a collaboration among members, ASU and the International City/County Management Association.

Bob Ramsey Executive EducationImproving the effectiveness of the people and organizations that serve communities through management and leadership certification programs and specialized seminars.

Center for Applied Behavioral Health PolicyServing as a research and training resource for organizations that seek to improve policies and programs that support people affected by behavioral health disorders.

Center for Emergency Management and Homeland SecurityCreating innovative solutions for the mitigation, preparation, response, recovery and management of natural or man-made disasters.

Center for Organization Design and ResearchPromoting fundamental research on public, nonprofit and hybrid organizations and their design—particularly knowledge-based or science-intensive organizations.

Center for Policy InformaticsAddressing complex public policy and administration problems through advanced study and practice of informatics.

Center for Science, Technology and Environmental Policy StudiesPromoting collaborative research on interdisciplinary problems related to science, technology, information and the environment.

Center for Social CohesionPromoting understanding of how diverse societies cohere.

Center for Sustainable ToursimStrengthening the role of tourism in building viable economic, social and environmental systems.

Center for Urban InnovationPromoting innovation in governance, policy and management to improve the quality of life in neighborhoods, cities and urban regions.

Center for Violence Prevention and Community SafetyAnalyzing the patterns and causes of violence to help domestic and foreign governments translate knowledge into policy, practice and law.

Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit InnovationAdvancing nonprofit leadership practice to help improve individual lives and enhance communities.

Morrison Institute for Public PolicyExamining critical issues for Arizona and the region and serving as a catalyst for public dialogue to help improve the state’s quality of life.

Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention ResearchServing as a central source for data collection, dissemination and solutions on domestic sex trafficking.

Osher Lifelong Learning InstituteProviding university-quality learning experiences for adults ages 50 and over through diverse courses, lectures and campus-based learning opportunities.

Partnership for Community DevelopmentAddressing critical community needs by building collaborate relationships among public and private organizations.

Policy Analytics LabDesigning innovative solutions to complex challenges through a collaborative computing environment.

Southwest Interdisciplinary Research CenterReducing the burden of health disparities by analyzing the cultural determinants of health.

With a gift of $1 million from the Morrison family, the Kyl Center for Water Policy was launched in the Morrison Institute for Public Policy.

faculty highlights

Nancy Rodriguez, a professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as director of the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice.

Dave White, associate professor in the School of Community Resources and Development was elected to the council of the International Association for Society and Natural Resources, the largest interdisciplinary society for resource management professionals in the world.

Barry Bozeman, Arizona Centennial Professor of Technology Policy and Public Management in the School of Public Affairs and Director of the Center for Organization Research and Design, received the 2014 NASPAA/ASPA Distinguished Researcher Award.

Ethan Kapstein, Arizona Centennial Professor of International Affairs in the School of Public Affairs and senior director for research at the McCain Institute for International Leadership, was awarded the 2014 Don K. Price Award for his book, AIDS Drugs for All: Social Movements and Market Transformations.

Callie Burt, an assistant professor in Arizona State University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, received the 2014 Ruth Shonle Cavan Young Scholar Award from the American Society of Criminology.

The Victimology Section of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences awarded its 2014 New Scholar Award to Kate Fox, an assistant professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

Robert F. Ashcraft, School of Community Resources and Development and director of the Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation, Nonprofit Leadership Alliance H. Roe Bartle Momentum Award

Robin Bonifas, School of Social Work, Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work Faculty Achievement Award

Scott Decker, Foundation Professor, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was featured in the NIJ Research for the Real World seminar: Consequences of a Prison Record for Employment: How Do Race, Ethnicity and Gender Factor In?. The series highlights “research that is changing our thinking about policies and practices.”

Richard Knopf, School of Community Resources and Development, Community Development Society Achievement Award

Jonathan Koppell, American Political Science Association Section on Public Administration, Herbert A. Simon Book Award

Flavio Marsiglia, School of Social Work, Google Award for Diversity and Inclusion

Karen Mossberger, School of Political Affairs, Public Administration Review 75 most influential articles

Fei Sun, School of Social Work, Fellow of the Gerontology Society of America

Our faculty are elected to leadership roles of scholarly societies, and win awards for distinguished research and community engagement. Our learning environment is also enhanced by practitioners—from government, nonprofits, law enforcement and more—who bring their experience and connections into the classroom.

service-leadership

Spirit of Service ScholarsEntering its fifth year, the Spirit of Service Scholars program is offered through the College, but the students represent colleges from across the university, from freshman to doctoral level. The program helps prepare these young professionals to take leadership roles in public service and nonprofit sectors through scholarships, mentoring and real-world experiences.

The College has strong programs in leadership and service that bring together students from across the university, at all levels, who share a common interest in public service.

Public Allies ArizonaNow in its ninth year at ASU, Public Allies Arizona recently received a $500,000 grant to expand efforts. The program is an AmeriCorps national youth leadership organization that recruits, places and develops leadership skills in dedicated, service-minded individuals who engage in paid, 10-month apprenticeships throughout local nonprofit partner organizations. One of the largest Public Allies sites in the country with over 40 allies this year, the total economic value of the program is more than $7.4 million over the last eight years.

Public Service AcademyAs the first undergraduate program to cultivate character-driven, cross-sector leaders, the Public Service Academy at ASU develops students with a commitment to service to be instruments of change in their chosen careers through experience, curriculum and training. Two tracks promote collaboration across sectors: government, business and nonprofit organizations.

Tip of the ForkTip of the Fork is a collaboration between Sun Devil Athletics and the College that offers ASU’s high-achieving student athletes with a passion for public service the opportunity to build upon those strengths.

Davier RodriguezFormer Spirit of Service Scholar Davier Rodriguez is the co-founder of DREAMzone, an inclusive, supportive environment to help undocumented students find the resources needed to be successful. DREAMzone won the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative University Sweet 16 Commitments Challenge, and has acquired a national audience of university administrators and community leaders.

initiatives

Mandela Washington Fellows ProgramASU was selected as one of 20 leading U.S. universities to serve as an academic institute for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, a new flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative. The College hosted 25 young African leaders for a six-week professional civic leadership training institute.

global engagementAn Interdisciplinary Approach to SustainabilityMegha Budruk in the School of Community Resources and Development is involved in a three-year collaborative study funded through the National Endowment for the Humanities to explore how nature-based religious places are thought of, experienced and impacted by humans. Study sites are located in the Western Ghats, a mountainous region of western India that has high biological value but is also being threatened by rampant development. By applying a social science and humanities lens, a religious studies colleague and Budruk are uncovering the various reasons of how and why a variety of stakeholders are tied to these places in an effort to gain understanding on how to support a multi-perspective conservation strategy for these sites.

Furthering Social Work EducationFei Sun and Robin Bonifas, professors in the School of Social Work), visited universities in Central China to deliver a two-week social work education exchange program. The project was part of the China Collaborative Initiative launched by the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) in the U.S. In collaboration with the China Association of Social Work Education (CASWE), CSWE selected seven American universities including ASU, University of Chicago, Case Western Reserve University, University of Houston, University of Southern California, Fordham University and University of Alabama, and matched them with social programs in seven regions in China. The goal is to strengthen graduate-level social work programs in these regions.

University Design ConsortiumFounded by ASU and Sichuan University, the University Design Consortium challenges public universities around the world to develop innovative strategies to address complex issues. Designed as both a think tank and a “do” tank, the consortium engages academic leaders and policy makers to share ideas, generate solutions, and take action to make a difference in society.

Reducing Gang Violence in the CaribbeanThe Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety is working with the Regional Security System (RSS), the common defense system for seven Eastern Caribbean nations, to help gain an understanding of the problem of criminal youth groups, prioritize security concerns and assess trends for planning and resource allocation.

fostering lifelong learningDeveloping City ManagersFor more than 25 years, Bob Ramsey Executive Education has helped professionals from federal, state, county, municipal, and tribal governments and agencies earn Certified Public Manager®, Certified Municipal Clerk, or Master Municipal Clerk credentials or enhance their management and leadership competencies. Its summer 2014 CPM graduating class included nearly 60 in-person and online students from city governments around Arizona and surrounding states. The program is the only nationally accredited provider of the CPM in Arizona.

Learning at Any AgeThe Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) immerses adults ages 50 and above in intellectual, cultural and social experiences at ASU. Members take part in university-quality classes that are academic in nature, research based, and taught by faculty from ASU or ASU’s Emeritus College. Courses are offered in five different locations across the valley, and are taught on a range of topics from personalized medicine to political ideologies. OLLI has seen tremendous growth over the past 10 years and currently has over 1,200 active members throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. OLLI connects members beyond the classroom and infuses civic engagement into the offerings, empowering members to give back to the community as a group.

Enhancing the Effectiveness of NonprofitsWhether the mission is to advance arts and culture, affordable housing, youth development, environmental sustainability, neighborhood revitalization, or a host of other community goals, effective nonprofit organizations improve individual lives and enhance our entire community. Through degree programs offered through the School of Community Resources and Development, certificate programs and community engagement, the ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation has become a central force in the development of nonprofit organizations in Arizona.

Partner with Us in ResearchOur research endeavors bring meaningful advances in health, community safety, policy, organizational design, economic development and civic engagement. Together, we can make communities—locally and globally—stronger and more resilient in an increasingly complex world. We work on collaborative initiatives, project partnerships with both individual faculty members and through our research centers. Students are involved through undergraduate research, fellowships and direct work with partner organizations.

Provide Internships and Serve as a MentorExperiential opportunities offers students valuable insight and serve as a bridge from their academic to professional career. Through field work and mentoring, our students are ready to effect change today and hit the ground running upon graduation.

Invest in the FutureStudent support is a core effort. In order to continue to attract and retain talented students from diverse backgrounds, we must help ensure the resources needed. Scholarships provide incentive and motivation to students who might otherwise struggle to pursue a college degree.

The College of Public Service and Community Solutions is at the vanguard of Arizona State University’s efforts to define the model for a New American University: inclusion vs. exclusion, impact on the public good, and responsibility for the broader community. We are working to better the outcome of our community in a meaningful way. Yet we cannot do this alone. In our education and research, in the challenges that we take on, we work closely with partners to find solutions.

make an impact

Public service impacts all areas of our lives.Help us build stronger communities.

publicservice.asu.eduCollege of Public Service and Community SolutionsUniversity CenterMail Code 3520411 N. Central Avenue Suite 750Phoenix, AZ 85004-2163Phone: 602-496-0600Fax: 602-496-0955