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2010

2010 Spring Convocation
July 2010
On a rainy Saturday in June, more than 120 Harris School graduates gathered with the rest of the University for a campus-wide convocation. View pictures from the ceremony >>

In Memoriam: Carlos F. Gomez (1958-2010)
July 16, 2010
Carlos F. Gomez, PhD'90, a clinical professor of pediatrics and medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, died in Washington, DC. He was 52 years old. more >>

In Memoriam: Doug Krupka (1974-2010)
June 25, 2010
Doug Krupka, MPP'99, PhD’04, passed away in his sleep June 23, 2010, after a brief battle with cancer. He was 36 years old. more >>

Canadian Ambassador Shares Insight with Students
June 26, 2010
Canadian Ambassador to the United States Gary Doer sat down with a handful of students for an intimate roundtable lunch discussion that covered drug policy, energy efficiency, development strategies, and health care. more >>

Politics of Regional Governance
June 14, 2010
As part of the Urban Policy Initiative speaker series, University of Michigan Professor Elisabeth Gerber discusses the politics behind regional governments. more >>

Follow Blog Coverage of the Dean's International Council Meeting
June 9-11, 2010
For the 11th meeting of the Dean's International Council, the Harris School will be blogging the speakers and sessions. more >>

My Brief Encounter with Muhammad Yunus
May 26, 2010
Second-year MPP student Sohair Omar revisits her encounter with micro-finance pioneer Muhammad Yunus during his visit to campus for a book signing. more >>

Internships: Part III
May 25, 2010
The last installment of a three-part internship series about where to find’em, why you need’em, and how to turn one into a full-time job. more >>

Dining with Diplomats
May 21, 2010
Harris School Dean Colm O’Muircheartaigh and PhD student Olena Verbenko were invited to attend a breakfast with ambassadors from around the world. more >>

Women at The Western Wall
May 19, 2010
Anat Hoffman, executive director of the Israeli Religious Action Center, describes her fight to give Jewish women equal religious rights at a holy site in Jerusalem. more >>

Students Win Awards for Service
May 19, 2010
Second-year Harris School students Chad Williams and Jenny Song are being honored for their commitment and service to the University community. more >>

India's Idea Man
May 12, 2010
Sam Pitroda is transforming India into a "knowledge society" as advisor to the Prime Minister on infrastructure, information, and innovation issues. more >>

Making A City Global
May 3, 2010
In a world of increasing urbanization, award-winning journalist Julie Sell explores the differences between big cities and global hubs. more >>

Toni Preckwinkle Shares Campaign Tips
April 24, 2010
Toni Preckwinkle visited a Harris School class to discuss her successful primary campaign and strategy for the upcoming general election. more >>

Princess Reema Discusses Women in Saudi Workforce
April 19, 2010

Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud discussed women in the workplace during a recent event at the Harris School. Her luxury retail companies have become a symbol of progress in Saudi Arabia. more >>

Finding the Perfect Fit
April 13, 2010
More than 100 newly admitted students attended the Harris School's annual "On The MaPP" event April 9-12 to get a closer look at faculty, curriculum, and the university environment. more >>

Home is Where...
April 6, 2010
As second installment of the Urban Policy Speaker Series, Katheryn Edin explores some of the setbacks to Chicago's new approach to public housing. more >>

Internships: Part II
March 30, 2010
A three-part internship series about where to find’em, why you need’em, and how to turn one into a full-time job. more >>

Health Care at the Harris School
March 22, 2010
Following the passage of historic health care reform, we highlight just some of the health policy research, reflections, and representatives within the Harris School community. more >>

In Memoriam: Sarah Damaske (1981-2010)
March 2, 2010

Sarah Damaske, a Harris School student enrolled in the MPP degree program, passed away February 21 after a prolonged battle with cancer. She was 28. more >>

Setting the Gender Agenda
March 2, 2010
Ella Gera, a leading women’s rights activist and former executive director of The Israel Women’s Network, explains why gender equality requires factoring in gender-specific needs. more >>

Student Organization Hosts Pakistan Panel
February 26, 2010
Eight Pakistani journalist gathered at the Harris School to discuss recent U.S. foreign policy toward Pakistan, and what America should do mitigate conflicts in the Middle East. more >>

Cambodia By Camera
February 26, 2010
Twelve Harris School students that traveled to Cambodia in December recently presented a 60-page memo assessing the country's health care system. more >>

Audience Questions Following Remarks by Ehud Olmert
February 26, 2010
In response to requests, the Harris School has posted all of the audience questions from the address by Ehud Olmert, former Prime Minister of Israel. more >>

Internships: Part I
February 15, 2010
A three-part internship series about where to find’em, why you need’em, and how to turn one into a full-time job. more >>

Panel Series Channels Mentors
February 1, 2010
An annual panel series features mentors from a wide range of organizations that share industry-specific career advice. Half student-led Q&A, half freeform discussion about relevant policy issues, the events are designed to help bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical application. more >>

Unveiling Islamic Issues
January 25, 2010
A new student organization examines the historical role of women in Islamic societies as part of an ongoing speaker series. Its founders hope the new discussion group will help, if indirectly, to encourage future holistic policies in troubled regions of the Muslim world. more >>

IPP Class Tackles Cambodia’s Maternal and Child Health
January 12, 2010
Twelve Harris School students traveled to Cambodia in December to study the country’s post-genocide health care struggles. The class, led by Senior Lecturer Charles Wheelan and Graduate Lecturer Felicity Vabulas, will produce a 40-page memo of their findings and make recommendations for improving maternal and child health. more >>

Harris School Offers First Governance Mini-course
January 12, 2010
Martin Sinnott, principal of the nonprofit executive search consulting firm Kittleman & Associates and 30-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, will be teaching a mini-course on nonprofit governance this quarter, the first Harris School course devoted solely to the subject. The three weekly sessions will cover fundamentals of nonprofit practices and compliance issues, ranging from legal expectations to board selection and governance models. more >>

Advocacy Seminar Explores Online Strategies
January 12, 2010
A November executive education seminar about advocacy highlighted the growing need for organizations to incorporate digital media in their campaign strategies. The course was taught by Ron Gibbs, president of National & International Public Affairs Consulting and an adjunct professor at the Harris School, and featured guest speakers from Google Inc. and Obama’s presidential campaign staff. more >>

Student Attends Climate Treaty in Copenhagen
January 12, 2010
Last month, Harris Fellow and Environmental Science and Policy student Kyle Gracey attend the United Nations Climate Change Negotiations in Copenhagen. He and 26 other youth leaders from the United States were selected for the honor by the SustainUS Agents of Change program, which was designed to facilitate youth involvement in international policy-making and to spur advocacy for a clean energy future. more >>

2009

Alumna Lisa Ellman Offers Lessons Learned to 2009 Graduates
June 23, 2009
Lisa Ellman, MPP/JD'05, spoke to graduating students at the Harris School's 2009 hooding ceremony about the lessons learned since her graduation. In that short time, she has moved from a Washington law firm to the Obama presidential campaign to the White House. more >>

Public Policy, Advocacy, and Communications: Harris School Hosts Executive Education Session
June 11, 2009
The Harris School held an executive education course last month on public policy, advocacy, and communications for national, state, and local organizations. The day-long session taught by Ron Gibbs, president of National and International Public Affairs Consulting and a lecturer at the Harris School, was designed to help senior-level staff develop public policy, communications, and advocacy strategies. more >>

Dean's International Council Meets in Chicago
June 1, 2009
The Harris School's Dean's International Council (DIC) met in Chicago in early May to discuss a wide range of timely topics focused around the global economy. Speakers included Thomas Cole, a partner at Sidley Austin LLP's Chicago office, and John P. Gallagher, MPP'04, a former director in the Office of Iraq and Afghanistan Affairs at the National Security Council. more >>

Microfinance Debated: Mission to Serve the Ultra Poor?
June 1, 2009
It is estimated that there is a $300 billion gap globally between what current financial institutions offer and what low-income people need. This is the space that microfinance institutions (MFIs) around the world seek to fill. At the 2009 microfinance conference-sponsored by the Harris School of Public Policy Studies and the Booth School of Business-heated debate centered on how to fill that $300 billion gap when clients are poor, and many institutions are nonprofit. more >>

CARE Representative Discusses Women's Rights in the Developing World
June 1, 2009
The causes of poverty are multi-faceted, but poverty often disproportionately affects women. In developing regions of the world, being poor-especially for women-can be a death sentence. "Five hundred thirty-six thousand women die each year due to pregnancy and childbirth. Many of these causes of death are preventable. This is the maternal health crisis we face," said Derreck Kayongo, the advocacy field coordinator for CARE International. "Maternal health is the least likely of all of the Millennium Development Goals to be met by 2015." more >>

EPIC Hosts Alumni Panel
May 22, 2009
The student group, Education Policy Interest Coalition (EPIC), hosted a panel of alumni, who spoke to students about their career experiences. Each alum discussed their current jobs and then answered student questions about which Harris School classes were most helpful in their careers and how to market an MPP degree in a competitive job market. more >>

In Memoriam: Howard Margolis
May 21, 2009
On Wednesday, May 13, 2009, the Harris School held a ceremony of remembrance for Professor Howard Margolis, who died on Wednesday, April 29 after a battle with cancer. more >>

Former Homeland Security Secretary Addresses Dean’s International Council
May 13, 2009
Michael Chertoff, former U.S. secretary of homeland security, spoke to the Harris School’s Dean’s International Council on May 7 about the various emerging threats to U.S. security in a technology-driven world. He touched on a wide range of topics from foreign militants groups to Mexican drug cartels to non-military issues like pandemic flu. more >>

Dean Susan Mayer Teaches in Dubai
May 5, 2009
Susan Mayer, dean of the Harris School, traveled to Dubai in March to teach an executive education course on creating sustainable solutions for education development. Offered by the Harris School and the Dubai School of Government (DSG), the course covered topics ranging from the benefits of different education systems around the world to the efficiency of major policies suggested for increasing human capital to evaluation of new standards and policies. more >>

Guesnerie Discusses European and American Climate Policies
May 1, 2009
French economist Roger Guesnerie addressed Harris School students this week and shared his experiences as an economics expert on global warming. In 2003 Guesnerie served on a team that drafted a policy report for the French prime minister to guide the nation's environmental decisions. He shared what he learned with students as part of a three-day mini-series on environmental economics. more >>

The Looting of Mesopotamia: Policy to Prevent Another Tragedy
May 1, 2009
In the buildup to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Iraqi people knew that when it happened key cultural and archeological sites would be looted. At some sites, museum employees hid artifacts in storage containers and protected them with weapons. But the majority of artifacts, including many in the National Museum, were left vulnerable. As a result 15,000 artifacts were stolen in 2003, representing some of the world's oldest artworks and irreparably damaging Iraq's culture and tourism industry. more >>

Lecturer Tackles Global Health Care Systems
April 29, 2009
On April 7, Dr. Joseph Antoun outlined the major health care policy challenges facing the world to Harris School students. Antoun, an associate public policy consultant at Eli Lilly and Company, discussed the structure and function of health care systems around the world and gave recommendations for reform. The lecture was the first in a three-day mini-course on health care systems and pharmaceutical policies. more >>

The Global Financial Crisis: Counting the Social Costs
April 23, 2009
The World Bank estimates that because of the current global financial crisis 53 million people, who would otherwise have escaped poverty, will remain trapped. At a time when the world is questioning the foundations of finance and economics, one model that is bridging the gap between social responsibility and capitalism—microfinance—finds its mission suddenly harder to achieve. more >>

Developing India: Microfinance on the Ground in Asia and Africa
April 23, 2009
After backpacking around northern India for a week, I took an intra-country flight to the south and arrived in Chennai. The differences between northern and southern India are quite striking. As the scripts on street signs change so does the reason for my trip. more >>

From Chicago to Chennai: Policymaking on a Backpacker's Budget
April 23, 2009
“International development” has long been an important topic in economics departments, including within the very notable University of Chicago’s under Milton Friedman. But while development theories battled in academia during the latter-half of the twentieth century, on-the-ground work in one very important area—the field of microfinance—was just beginning. more >>

U.S. Army Colonel Speaks about Mission in Iraq
April 16, 2009
Earlier this week a U.S. army colonel answered questions from Harris School students, faculty, and staff via satellite about his deployment in Iraq. The topics discussed included the status of Al Qaeda in Iraq, plans for refugees returning to Iraq, prospects of Iraqi economic growth, comparison of fighting Iraq and Afghanistan, and the drawdown of U.S. troops from the country.

Students from Tel Aviv University and University of Chicago's Harris School of Public Policy visit Argonne
April 10, 2009
The following article about the annual Tel Aviv Workshop appeared in Argonne National Laboratory’s newsletter, Argonne Today, on April 10. more >>

Mike Quigley Wins House Democratic Primary
March 19, 2009
Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, AM'85 won the Democratic nomination in the Illinois 5th District primary on March 3. The special election was held to fill the vacant U.S. House of Representatives seat left by Rahm Emanuel, who became White House chief of staff in January. more >>

Discovering Turkey
March 19, 2009
Students from this year’s International Policy Practicum, along with Senior Lecturer Charles Wheelan, spoke to students and staff earlier this week about their travels to Turkey and their policy recommendations for the country. They discussed the pivotal role the democratic, Muslim country plays for the United States—in part because of its geographic location and its working relationships with Arab countries and Israel. more >>

International Development Policies in Practice
March 18, 2009
In the fourth and final installment of the Career Services 2009 "Real World Perspectives" series, three panelists spoke to students about the variety of careers in international development. Harris School mentors Bill Hunt, Tom Derdak, and Rachel Bronson shared their experiences in working in policy and on the ground within Chicago's international development field. The talk was co-sponsored by CIAPP, the student Committee on International Affairs in Public Policy. more >>

Measuring the Intrinsic Impacts of the Arts
March 13, 2009
The Cultural Policy Center at the University of Chicago hosted Harris School graduate Jennifer Novak, MPP'04, who returned to campus last week to present the results of a groundbreaking cultural arts survey. The survey, published in a co-authored report by WolfBrown, assessed the "intrinsic impact" of live performances, an area not well explored until now. more >>

Policy Students Tackle the Physical Sciences
March 10, 2009
A recent article in the University of Chicago Chronicle examines the Science, Technology and Policy course co-taught by the Harris School’s Robert Michael and Edward Kolb of the University’s Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics. more>>

PPSA Holds Mini-Auction to Kick-Off Ticket Sales
March 9, 2009
On Wednesday, March 4, the Public Policy Student Association (PPSA) held a mini-auction to launch ticket sales for the much larger 10th Annual Public Service Auction, which will occur on April 4, 2009. more >>

State Department Official Addresses U.S. Policy in Iraq
March 4, 2009
Richard Schmierer, deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, spoke at the Harris School last week to University students, faculty, and staff about U.S. policy in Iraq and the progress made in the country. more >>

Vice President of Colombia Presents Optimistic Picture of Country’s Developments
March 4, 2009
Colombian Vice President Francisco Santos Calderón spoke at the Booth School of Business last week about the "dramatic results" Colombians have seen since he and President Álvaro Uribe Vélez were elected in 2002. While he discussed the Colombia’s many improvements, he also acknowledged the various problems the country still faces. The event was sponsored by Latin America(n) Matters and the Latin American Business Group. more >>

Student Tracks Colombian Migration and the Labor Force
March 2, 2009
At a recent brown bag talk, Harris School PhD student Valentina Calderón-Mejia discussed her research on internal displacement in Colombia--including the roles and societal impacts of civil conflict, migration, and labor markets. The February presentation was sponsored by the student organization Latin America(n) Matters. more >>

The Recent Revolution in Cultural Economics
February 16, 2009
Culture, traditionally defined, used to be the symphony orchestra, the opera, and live theater. At a February Cultural Policy Center workshop, George Mason professor Tyler Cowen discussed how the Internet has altered the consumption and production of cultural goods. more>>

Leadership in Chicago: Timothy Knowles
February 12, 2009
As Chicago Public Schools underwent leadership changes last month, Timothy Knowles, the Lewis-Sebring Director of the University of Chicago’s Urban Education Institute (UEI), spoke to students about his own career, the legacy of former school CEO Arne Duncan, and the future of Chicago schools. more>>

Study debunks assertion that war provides president with more power
February 9, 2009
A recent University of Chicago Chronicle article highlights research by Associate Professor William Howell and Tana Johnson, a PhD candidate in the Harris School, on the effect of war on presidential powers. Read the article >>

Public Policy Benefits from Lobbyists, Say Experts
February 4, 2009
Harris School mentors met with a group of students as part of the Career Services Real World Perspectives series, the second of four discussions on different topics. The panelists disputed negative connotations associated with lobbying. As experts in their respective fields, they take pride in educating legislators and advocating for positive changes in their industries. more>>

Science, Technology Class Hears from Industry Expert
February 4, 2009
Robert Rosner, president of UChicago Argonne and director of Argonne National Laboratory, spoke about energy policy issues with the Harris School class Science, Technology, and Policy. He addressed the most important global challenges for the next 50 years and outlined how policy students can take part in creating solutions. more>>

Alumna Q&A: On Public Finance and the Economy
February 2, 2009
Sara Press, MPP'06 visited the Harris School last month with State Farm colleagues (including fellow alum Matt Harvey, MPP'08) for a Career Services information session on the company and its summer internship program. more>>

Mentors Advise Students to Communicate Policy Effectively
January 30, 2009
Harris School mentors Jonathan Dedmon and Ann McCabe shared their experiences in public and private sector communication roles with students in January as a part of the Career Services series Real World Policy Perspectives. more>>

Glaser ‘Not Optimistic’ about Obama’s Foreign Policy Challenges
January 26, 2009
Charles Glaser, Emmett Dedmon Professor in Public Policy, met with members of the student group, the Committee on International Affairs in Public Policy (CIAPP), on January 15 to discuss the national security issues facing President Barack Obama. Given the international challenges that he is inheriting from the former president, Glaser said, “President-Elect Obama is in about as deep a hole as he could be.” more >>

Harris School Student Travels to Poland for UN Climate Negotiations
January 9, 2009
As world leaders gathered in Poznan, Poland, last month for the 2008 United Nations Climate Change Conference, Kyle Gracey, MSESP’09 made the trip as part of a United States youth delegation sponsored by the non-partisan organization SustainUS. more >>

Race and the American Voter
January 8, 2009
On Thursday, December 11, the Harris School’s Program on Political Institutions hosted a conference on race and voting in 2008 and beyond. Participants from leading academic institutions around the country presented new research and discussed the role of President-Elect Barack Obama’s election in the politics of race. Central to the conversation was what changed, if anything, with Obama’s victory. more >>

2008

December 3, 2008