TTU MPA Speaker Series

The MPA program at Texas Tech University is proud to host a variety of accomplished professionals from around the world as guest speakers to various department events.

Alan Bojorquez, Municipal Attorney, Noted Speaker and Author

Feb 18, 2015

ETHICS IN PUBLIC SERVICE

 Panelists:

• Sheryl Cates, President, Lubbock Area Foundation
• Clarke Cochran, former VP, Covenant Health System
• Greg Ingham, former City Manager of Plainview
• James Loomis, City Manager of Lubbock
• Courtney Sharp, City Manager of Midland

Moderator:

Alan Bojorquez

Dan McCool

April 17, 2013

Dr. McCool spoke following the publication of his book River Republic (Columbia University Press, 2012). Dr. McCool discussed the "Katrina Syndrome" and how many of the so-called "natural" disasters we are experiencing are in fact human-made disasters. These events result from poor planning, short-sighted development decisions, and a willingness to ignore ecological variables. An example of the syndrome involves the Ogallala Aquifer, which was a central topic of discussion.

Professor McCool is Director, Environmental and Sustainability Studies Program at the University of Utah and Co-Director, University of Utah Sustainability Curriculum Development. He has authored, co-authored, or edited 9 books and several scholarly articles including “The River Commons: A New Era in U.S. Water Policy.” (University of Texas Law Review) He has been an invited speaker at symposiums and workshops on water policy, interviewed on water policy by Time Magazine and newspapers including the LA Times and Salt Lake Tribune, and been a guest on numerous radio and television stations. Professor McCool has been a consultant to numerous organizations including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the use of long-range weather data in water management planning.

Dr. James H. Svara

March 26, 2010

Local Government:  Past, Present and Future

Dr. Svara Director, Center for Urban Innovation, School of Public Affairs, Arizona State University specializes in local government politics, management, ethics, and innovation.  He has a special interest in the roles and responsibilities of elected and administrative officials in local governments.  He is the author of six books on political and administrative leadership in local government and numerous journal articles and book chapters.  Dr. Svara has served as a consultant to city governments on charter revision, and contributed to the drafting of the 7th and 8th editions of the Model City Charter.  He has spoken at meetings of the International City/County Management Association, the National League of Cities, and the National Association of Counties.