9th Annual Public Service and Leadership Conference

Pawtucket Academy students collaborate on their Social Justice projects. Pictured left to right, photo 1: Tolman High School students Elton Carvalho and Alexander Sanchez. Photo 2: Shea High School students Josephine Twum, Daisy Benitez, Niulka Pagan, and Estefania Tacanho.

The Master of Public Administration and the Master of Science in Leadership programs at Roger Williams University, along with the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (RIASPA), cordially invite you to the 9th Annual Public Service and Leadership Conference on Wednesday, May 2, 2018. The conference will be held at Rhode Island College.

This year's program will feature speakers and student panelists giving presentations from a number of perspectives that touch on diversity, inclusion and justice.

The keynote speakers will be Thomas Daly, Curator of Education at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts and Risha Grant, CEO & Founder of Risha Grant LLC., and author of "That's BS," will address how women, particularly women of color, are discriminated against and how it can be counteracted.

During the event Roger Williams University MPA and Leadership students will present research addressing social injustice issues, such as gun control, lead poisoning in Rhode Island, food security, criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, and affordable healthcare. Each presentation will review the policy domain background, policy impact on groups and society, and alternative policy recommendations the students would make.

Students from the Pawtucket Academy have also been invited to present their group research projects on social justice issues. As part of a collaboration between the Pawtucket Academy and the university, RWU faculty mentored the students in developing and preparing their presentations for the conference. These projects help the high school students develop a host of skills that are increasing important in the professional world – learning to take ownership of the subject matter, developing communication and teamwork skills, and collaborating with each other to pool their expertise, knowledge, and skills. As a result of their hard work, the high school student will be inducted as members of ASPA (American Society for Public Administration).

In working on their project, Pawtucket Academies' student stated, “I have learned that social justice doesn’t not just apply to humans, but also animals.” Another student said that working on social justice issues for the presentation has made her realize that she hopes “to contribute and have a positive impact on our state and country.”

The event is open to the public, but seating is limited, and registration is required. The deadline to register is April 26.

What: 9th Annual Public Service and Leadership Conference

When: 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Where: Rhode Island College, Alger Hall, Room 110, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave, Providence, RI 02908

Register: https://rwu.edu/go/public-service-leadership