Dear USC Price Sacramento Center Community:
During the last academic year, the USC Price School has been examining the Sacramento Center and how best to integrate its activities into our educational, research, and policy mission. In January, we circulated a faculty committee report, and in April the dean’s office visited the Center and met with the advisory board.
These assessments demonstrated the need for a new approach to increase student enrollment, re-engage alumni, and bolster our presence in state policymaking. To that end, Price Chief Operating Officer Carol Rush has assumed the role of interim director and has reorganized the Center’s functions to better support our mission. To summarize, the functional changes include:
MPA Program Management: Professor Lois Takahashi will continue to oversee all aspects of the MPA in Sacramento including advisement, class scheduling, and student and alumni engagement. In addition, she will take the lead in generating new applications for admission, working closely on recruitment strategy with Carol Rush, the Price Admissions office, and the Price Office of Online Education & Digital Media.
Student Advising: Cynthia (Cyndee) McDougal, who serves as the student services advisor to Price MPA online students, will now expand her role to serve as the student services advisor for MPA students in Sacramento as well. She is a great resource for students given her expertise—she is a Price MPA online alumna and has an Ed.D. from the USC Rossier School of Education—and her experience in student affairs.
Administrative Support: We are currently recruiting for a full-time administrative assistant position to provide front-office support at the Center. This new role will provide general Center support, in addition to supporting events, policy outreach, supply acquisition, and scheduling. The position will also work closely with Facilities Director Matt Loggins on building maintenance, security, and repair. We will hire a temporary employee for immediate support until the administrative position is filled.
National Council of State Legislature: Professor Frank Zerunyan, Director of Executive Education and Director of ROTC programs, will oversee the NCSL residency trainings. The 2023 residency training is scheduled for July 21-28 at the Center, with 60 anticipated participants.
There will be no changes at the Center for Inclusive Democracy (CID). Professor Mindy Romero will continue to lead CID, supported by her existing staff. Similarly, there will be no changes to leadership of the Sacramento Advisory Board. Lois will continue to support the board and its vision.
I know you all share my ambition to help the Sacramento Center reach its full potential, ensuring that the Price School remains a valued and trusted resource in the state capital. I want to thank you for your support in this endeavor.
Sincerely,
Dana