What are Civil Service Jobs?

by Clare Maus
February 21
Many MPP alumni graduate and go on to seek jobs in the public sector across the local, state, and federal levels. Some jobs are classified as "civil service" jobs whereas others are called "non civil service" jobs. We spoke to MPP Advisor Dr. Joesph McLaughlin to clarify the difference between these two types of jobs.  When applying for open positions in the federal, state, or local governments, you should understand whether the positions are civil service or non-civil-service (sometimes described as "exempt"). Civil service jobs often require applicants to score well on a...

Professor Michael Leeds quoted in KYW, Axios and Forbes media outlets on Super Bowl LVII

by Economics Department
February 16
Professor Michael Leeds was quoted in various media outlets regarding Super Bowl LVII. KYW-Newsradio; "Super Bowl LVII a boost to Philly economy? Maybe, maybe not", Axios and Forbes; "The Super Bowl Doesn't Always Produce Super-Sized Revenues For Local Taxpayers regarding the impact of the Philadelphia Eagles' recent playoff run on the Philadelphia economy."

MPP Advisor Featured in Philadelphia Inquirer Article

by Clare Maus
January 26
Dr. Joseph McLaughlin was recently featured in an Inquirer article about how crime in Philadelphia is shaping the mayoral election. Dr. McLaughlin, a former advisor to two previous mayors, offers advice on how candidates can speak about crime during the campaign without alienating potential voters. He previously taught in the Master of Public Policy program and currently provides career advising support for students.  Temple University's Master of Public Policy trains you to develop and evaluate government programs and activities. This twelve-course professional degree...

Temple’s Master of Public Policy Program Hosts a Conversation on the Intersection of Voting Rights and Racial Equity

by Clare Maus
January 26
Temple's Master of Public Policy (MPP) Program welcomed expert panelists to be a part of a discussion about the intersection of racial equity and voting rights on January 24th, 2023. The conversation focused on ways that race has historically impacted voting rights and how we continue to see its impact today. In addition, the all-women panel spoke about the joys and challenges of being a woman working in the political world.  Clare Maus and Marlena Rodrigues, two current MPP students, moderated the event and guided the panelists' conversation. The MPP students were joined by...

MPP Student Selected to Pew’s Emerging Leaders Corps

by Clare Maus
January 26
Congratulations to current MPP student Jesse Herrmann on being selected to join the Pew Charitable Trusts' Philadelphia Research and Policy Initiative's (PRPI) Emerging Leaders Corps. Through this initiative, Pew hopes to launch and support Philadelphia's next generation of leaders. This eight-week initiative teaches participants additional skills to represent their communities in elected and/or civic leadership roles in years to come. Congrats, Jesse! Temple University's Master of Public Policy trains you to develop and evaluate government programs and activities. This twelve...

Najaa Rogers Presents Research Questions and Findings

by Department of Africology and African American Studies
January 25
On October 24, 2022, Africology & African American Studies Doctoral Student Najaa Rogers, MA, shared her dissertation research questions and findings with fellow graduate students and faculty during a Nommo session. Najaa's topic, "Education for Mental Liberation and Decolonization: Afrocentric Schools," generated a lively scholarly discussion about the political and cultural relevance of Afrocentric education for Black children. Najaa Rogers is expected to defend her dissertation in the next few months. We wish her all the very best!

Philadelphia Angolan Community Celebrates 47th Anniversary of Angola's Independence

by Department of Africology and African American Studies
January 25
On November 11, 2022, the Department of Africology & African American Studies hosted the Philadelphia Angolan Community's celebration of Angola's 47th independence anniversary. Very informative information was shared with the audience regarding the Angolan struggle to finally achieve independence from Portugal in 1975. One of DAAAS's former students, Dr. Tarik Richardson, additionally shared valuable information about Angola's ancient history. Then, a typical Angolan meal was shared; it was delicious!

Public Service Internship Spotlight: Sierra Kamara

by Sean Murphy
January 25
Sierra Kamara is a senior Political Science Major. She recently interned with the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus as a Legislative Intern through The Harrisburg Capital Internship Semester Program. What was your internship position and what was the office's role? I was a legislative intern for the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus (PLBC) within the Democratic Caucus. The PLBC is a collective, embodied by 32 PA State Representatives and 5 PA State Senators of color. Their mission statement reads, "The purpose of the Pennsylvania...

Professor Emeritus Ralph Taylor Featured in the Journal of Crime & Justice

by Criminal Justice Department
January 16
Professor Emeritus Ralph Taylor, Brian Lockwood, and Brian Wyant's article on Philadelphia streetblock 311 calls and physical incivilities appeared online in the Journal of Crime & Justice in January, 2023. The article asks "Can streetblock 311 physical incivility call count shifts predict later changing on-site conditions?" Many urban informatics scholars suggest 311 call patterns can serve as acceptable proxy indicators of changing on-site conditions. The article considers whether that assumption is warranted. The article provides a model analysis for...

Professor Jerry Ratcliffe Publishes New Book Evidence-based Policing: The Basics

by Criminal Justice Department
January 16
Professor Jerry Ratcliffe's new book: Evidence-based Policing: The Basics (Routledge Press, 2023) answers the questions: What is evidence-based policing and how is it done? The book offers an introduction for undergraduate students and a hands-son guide for police officers wanting to know how to put principles into practice. It serves as a gentle introduction to the terminology, ideas, and scientific methods associated with evidence-based policy, and outlines some of the existing policing applications. More information can be found on the Evidence-...

Caterina Roman and Peter Simonsson Receive a Grant from the Fund for a Safer Future to Explore Causes of Gun Violence in Philadelphia

by Criminal Justice Department
January 16
New grant gives Temple University scholars Peter Simonsson and Caterina Roman a unique chance to explore causes of gun violence in Philadelphia region. The participatory action research project, funded by the Fund for a Safer Future, was developed to systematically explore the informal and formal assessment and engagement strategies that street intervention workers utilize when making decisions about how to engage individuals involved in gun violence. Read more about the project in the recent Scienmag.com story.

Public Service Internship Spotlight: Ryan Jennings

by Sean Murphy
December 14
Ryan Jennings is a Junior Criminal Justice Major, with a Minor in Political Science. He recently interned with the American Public Transportation Association as a Safety and Security Officer through The Washington Center's D.C. Internship Program. What was your internship position and what was the office's role?  The title of the position I held was called the Safety and Security officer at APTA (The American Public Transportation Association). The organization goes to transportation agencies across the country and does audits on their safety standards (policies and...

Yomarilis Gueits Rodriguez Receives Fulbright Scholarship for 2023 Globalink Research Internship

by Philosophy Department
December 09
Congratulations to double Philosophy and Political Science major Yomarilis Gueits Rodriguez, who will be the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship for the 2023 Globalink Research Internship. Yomarilis will be working under the supervision of Dr. Jérôme Melançon at the University of Regina (Saskatchewan) on a project called "The Philosophical Critique of Reconciliation." On this project, she will be exploring the theoretical aspects of the concept of reconciliation through two lines of inquiry (Hegelian theory of reconciliation and Marxist...