The KUPMC Blog

Comments submitted by Sharon Riley, KU Libraries

The KU Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference was both empowering and enlightening. One part that especially resonated with me was the importance and power of building relationships in our career. Relationships matter, and those that you build through camaraderie, teamwork, or simply sharing a business card and a story can have reverberations to your work life you may never expect.

And speaking of camaraderie – there was plenty to be had at the Conference. One of my fellow tablemates confessed that she usually didn’t attend such conferences as she always felt a bit intimidated and too shy, so it was great to cheer her on as she was the spokes-person at the microphone for our group’s share-outs! I also loved how Kay Waldo Barnes told about constructing her own doctorate recently as an Independent Scholar – her speech was incredibly inspiring – and both she and Sandy Praeger put into perspective how far women have come.

The panel speakers were open and candid in sharing their challenges (or “hiccups” as Patty Hilderbrand called them) as well as successes. Their personal stories of how they dealt with challenges and built on successes were potent narratives that spoke to me in rich, informative ways. While there was so much great information, I had a few personal takeaways. “Enjoy the mystery” – one of the panelists spoke about how her career was not planned but reminded us to “say yes” to things. Another panelist spoke about the importance of not letting fear drive our decisions and another shared her formula for staying in balance by including, in addition to career goals: “faith, family,  FUN  and giving back to the community.” We were encouraged to “be courageous,” “ask for advice,” and “say yes with pleasure and no with compassion.”

But my favorite was the reminder to keep asking the question: ”How do I measure success?” This may not look like anyone else’s version, and that’s okay. We each have our own unique journey and sharing this journey with a lot of other truly inspirational women, made for one fabulous day.

Comments Delivered by David Hogue, Lawrence, Kansas Police Department
At the Emerging Leaders Academy Graduation Ceremony on February 1, 2013

I’d like to say thank you to Chief Tarik Khatib and Captain Paul Fellers with the Lawrence Police Department for attending my graduation. My “thank you” isn’t just to get me brownie points with the bosses. ELA is a worthwhile experience and if any department heads, bosses, supervisors, whomever, are wondering if ELA is worth it… it is.

When Noel asked me to speak about my experience in ELA, my head was filled with numerous observations, lessons learned, and new insights. It was so hard to choose just one or two. As I thought about the knowledge I had gained from my experience, one theme began to develop. That theme for me was that no matter what you do, be intentional about it… have purpose.

Whether it was taking the StrengthsFinder or putting together a portfolio, if the exercise was to be effective, it had to be intentional. All of us had the materials to put together a portfolio but it was making an intentional effort to put all these things together that made it worthwhile. Leading from your strengths is okay, but I learned that I often lead from my strengths out of laziness. I need to be intentional about leading with my strengths and with purpose to be effective.

This past week I was on an oral board at work where employees were applying for new positions. Every applicant thought he or she was a hard worker. I think all of us think we are hard workers, but the people who stood out during the interview process were the ones who were intentional about the position for which they were applying. They didn’t take a shotgun approach hoping to get any position. They saw a position they wanted and purposely did things that made them the better applicant for the position.

We were given a lot of advice during our time in ELA. Something as simple as grow or bloom where you are planted still comes down to being intentional, being purposeful about the job you are doing. It isn’t about being content in the position and just doing it, but about doing it to the best of your ability. If we work hard at the opportunities given to us instead of focusing on not being where we think we should be, our intentional efforts will lead to other opportunities.

Our classes on ethics, values, and conflict were full of action verbs such as describe, discuss, compare, identify, address, build, develop, and bridge. Leadership is action. If you don’t act who will? We were asked to look at our 3-5 year goals and what might be the next step for us. I am still trying to get my sergeant legs underneath me and become comfortable in my new role, but I realize that if leadership is action, then I need to be intentional about what I am doing with an eye on what is next. I encourage everyone to not forget about the Professional Development Planning Worksheet that Noel gave us. One of the best ways to be intentional in our current roles is by asking questions, particularly the questions found on the worksheet.

Know your strengths and focus on optimizing them. Apply your strengths to more opportunities. Further strengthen your strengths versus shoring up weaknesses. Thank you.

The spring 2013 session of the Emerging Leaders Academy is now enrolling for classes in Lenexa, Topeka, and Wichita. Visit www.kupmc.org for information.

Comments Delivered by Rachel Gyore, University of Kansas Medical Center, Dykes Library
At the Emerging Leaders Academy Graduation Ceremony on February 1, 2013

The Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. So, what makes ELA stand out from the many other courses and programs we’ve all taken?

First, there were our guest speakers – they shared with us their work experiences and approaches to addressing challenges, as well as their thoughts on professional development and lifelong learning. They showed us that there is a lot of value in connecting with people outside of our organizations.

Another aspect of the program that makes it unique are the group and table discussions we had during class. We were able to offer each other support, encouragement, and different ways to think about the challenges and opportunities we face in our lives.

Overall, I think there were three main themes throughout ELA: communication, connecting with others, and knowing oneself. ELA reminded us that we are not alone in navigating workplace challenges, and that people are resources – we can each be a resource for another person by sharing our experiences and ideas.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson of all came from an article Noel asked us to read both at the beginning and end of the program. The article is titled, “Take Ownership of Your Actions by Taking Responsibility.” The essence of the article is that the change we want to see in the world begins with ourselves – our attitudes, our actions, and our willingness to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, a community. So congratulations to my classmates who are now a part of the ELA alumni community!

And in closing, on behalf of my classmates, a special thanks to Noel, our program director, our guest speakers, and most importantly our employers and supervisors for giving us this opportunity. Thank you!

The spring 2013 session of the Emerging Leaders Academy is now enrolling for classes in Lenexa, Topeka, and Wichita. Visit www.kupmc.org for information.

Comments Delivered by Terri Callahan, Program Director, Kansas Certified Public Manager(R) Program
At Graduation, On November 16, 2012

Terri Callahan congratulates graduating class

Congratulations, Class of 2012! You deserve this celebration and recognition for the time commitment and hard work you have put forth over the past year.

The Kansas CPM program started in 1993. As graduates of the CPM class of 2012, you have the honor of closing out the decade by being the 19th CPM class. So it seems fitting that as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Kansas CPM program next year, we take time to reflect on the history of the CPM program and the last two decades.

I would like to share the story of a public manager from the State of Georgia named Ken Henning. No, you will not see Ken Henning’s name in the history books, but Ken had an idea, a vision. He did not let boundaries or obstacles stop him from moving forward with his vision. He knew how to inspire others to join on his journey.

I love this definition of a leader by John Quincy Adams, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

Ken Henning was this kind of leader. As a leader he saw a need and moved forward with enlisting others to join his vision. He wanted to see a national professional certification designation for public managers similar to a CPA designation with training and education that would foster and encourage the highest possible levels of competence and ethical practice by managers in all levels of government.

He is now jokingly called the “Father of CPM.” In 1976, The Governor of Georgia, George Busbee appointed the Georgia CPM Board and the Georgia CPM program was born. In 1979, the National Certified Public Manager Consortium was established to preserve the standards for the Certified Public Manager designation with six charter states.

CPM Class of 2012 at Kansas Statehouse

I share this story, because it is a story of one public manager with a vision, a vision to make a difference, and he took action and persevered through many challenges to make CPM a reality. It is amazing to me that today the CPM concept has grown to 41 CPM programs with thousands of CPM graduates across the US.

As I listened to your Capstones, it struck me that all of you as public managers, like Ken Henning and other leaders, have a vision, a new idea, a new way of doing business, and a new approach to providing services. I enjoyed hearing each of your Capstone presentations, because they reflected the purpose, passion, and perseverance each of you bring to public service and the people we serve. Thank you!

I want to close with a quote and challenge to all public managers and CPM graduates from Ken Henning (from 2003):
“That the Certified Public Manager Organization, from its inception to the present, has not only survived but has grown for three decades, is a remarkable achievement. Substantial opportunities, but also some significant challenges, lie ahead of us. If all Certified Public Managers will approach the future with determination to play an increasingly important professional role in our society and internationally, the future will be marked by a 50th anniversary of the CPM concept.”

I would like to add a twist to Ken’s challenge: What more can we accomplish together if we as public managers take on the challenges of our future with determination and dedication?

Once again, please join me in congratulating the Class of 2012!

Comments Delivered By Barney Hubert, Superintendent, Kansas Neurological Institute (KNI)
On November 16, 2012

Congratulations on your success in completing the CPM program!

I was pleased to see such a diverse group of public servants in this year’s class:

• 13 from several different county governments
• 26 from several different city governments
• 24 from several different state agencies
• 2 from state universities
• 3 from federal agencies
• 2 from private industry

There is also a great deal of diversity in the types of work you do within your organizations!

As Charles mentioned in my introduction, I participated in the CPM program in 1999. At that time a much larger percentage of the group came from State agencies. It’s wonderful to see the increasing diversity in the composition of the class.

I trust participation in the CPM program has been a great learning and networking experience for you. During the past week I asked a number of people who have graduated from the CPM program over the past 15 years to share their memories of the program. Many people mentioned the networking opportunities associated with the program, the chance to get a glimpse into the work of other governmental agencies, and specific instructors, class topics and classmates who made a positive and lasting impression on them. Others mentioned the hard work they did, their Capstone Projects and the fact that participation in the CPM program provided a start for them in their desire to work toward a Master’s of Public Administration degree. Still others talked about the fact that participation in the CPM program gave them an opportunity to share their love of the work they do with others, to gain a greater appreciation for the important purpose of their work as public servants, and to help others understand the importance of the mission of their organization.

In the 13 years since I graduated from the program it has been interesting for me watch the contributions a number of my classmates have made as they’ve continued their careers as public servants, or moved on to positions in the private sector. In years to come I’m sure you will see great things from many of your classmates too! I continue to use the core of my capstone project in my work today, and I hope many of you, and your employers, will see lasting value in the work you’ve put into your capstone projects into the next decade.

I was honored when Terri asked me to speak to you at this year’s graduation ceremony. I also found the request to be a bit daunting. Keynote speakers are supposed to inspire and motivate. As Charles mentioned when he introduced me, I’ve spent nearly my entire career in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities. I’ve never felt I was the smartest person in the room, or the most visionary person in my field, or the best clinician, or the most inspirational person. When I reflected on what I have to offer a group like this, I realized that some of the most important things I’ve learned during my career in the disabilities field have a great deal of application to the work of all public servants:

In the field I work in, a respected researcher named Connie Lyle O’Brien found that “the most important factor influencing peoples’ satisfaction with the services they receive is the relationship they have with the people who provide direct support to them”—the people they come into contact with on a daily basis. I’ve learned how true this is in the field of disabilities. In our work at KNI, this makes it important for those of us who are managers, instructors, professionals and support staff to keep in mind that our role is to equip our frontline workers—those who have sustained daily contact with our customers (for us, the people who live at KNI)—to have the skills, resources, and understanding of our mission they need to provide high-quality services to the people we support.

In reflecting on Connie’s research findings, I realize the principle included in this quote is true for all public servants. Whether we work in law enforcement, accounting, public works, economic development, or social services, it’s important that we understand the mission our agencies are working to fulfill and our role in providing high-quality services to the end users—the primary customers–of the services provided by our organizations. A key responsibility of all of us who provide leadership within our organizations or who supervise, mentor and provide direction to other staff members is to be sure we equip those who have direct contact with our customers with the resources they need to be responsive to our customers and to provide excellent service to them.

Years ago, a coworker I admired greatly convinced me that in absolutely the most basic terms, “QUALITY IS RESPONSIVENESS.” She sold me on the idea that the more we are attentive to our customers and strive to be responsive to them, the more they will appreciate us and value and support us and the services we provide. If they see us doing our best to be responsive, and know this is our goal, they will also be more willing to forgive us when we make mistakes.

Several years ago, I met a gentleman who talked about his experience preparing to teach a college class for students who were learning to support people with disabilities. Before the class began, this person met with a friend who has a disability and asked him, “What are the most important things I need to teach people who will go into this field?” His friend told him, “Teach them to respect me for who I am, as I am, and teach them to listen to me.”

Again, I think this lesson extends beyond the context of services for people with disabilities and has tremendous application for all of us who are public servants. Whoever we come into contact with in our work, we need to “Respect people for who they are, as they are. We need to listen to people.” Given the different fields in which we work, this will be different for each one of us, but the core lesson is critically important for all of us.

A final lesson I want to share comes from an educator and author named Haim Ginott who wrote extensively about the relationships between teachers and students and between parents and children. One of his most famous quotes is titled, “I Am the Decisive Element,” and I’ve adapted it slightly for this audience:

I AM THE DECISIVE ELEMENT

I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element.
It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather.
I possess a tremendous power to make the lives of others miserable or joyous.
I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.
In all situations, it is my response that determines whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, whether those around me will be humanized or de-humanized, whether a person’s life will be interesting or boring, comfortable or miserable, productive or pointless. I am the decisive element.

All of you in the jobs you do, as well as in your personal lives, have tremendous influence over the lives of others. As you take the lessons you’ve learned in the CPM program and apply them in your work and personal lives, I hope you will look for opportunities to humor, humanize and heal those you serve, those you work alongside, those you interact with in your personal lives and those you love. I urge you to honor and support those within your organizations—those you supervise, those you work alongside, and those you serve. I urge you to accept others for who they are, as they are. I urge you to listen to those around you and to learn from them.

Thank you for giving me the honor of speaking to you today, congratulations, and best of luck in all your future endeavors!

For the past 18 years he has also been an occasional Quality Enhancement Specialist for The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People with Disabilities, an international quality enhancement and accrediting organization based in Towson, Maryland. Barney serves as a volunteer guardian through the Kansas Guardianship Program and is a long-time member of the board of directors for The Arc of Douglas County, an advocacy organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

School of Public Affairs and Administration Graduation Ceremony (April 20, 2012)
Comments Delivered By Brian Handshy
Brian has been named a 2012 Presidential Management Fellow. Fewer than one percent of applicants are selected to take part in this prestigious program, which matches outstanding graduate students with federal leadership opportunities and employment. Click here to read the full article regarding Brian’s accomplishment.

I speak tonight on the ideal of dedication of self to public service.

I ask, on what occasion should humanity withdraw from personal interests and self-absorption, and rather tilt forward toward calamity, toward peril, toward possible obscurity, to preserve the hope and future comfort of its posterity?

Abigail Adams, wife and confidant to our second president, John Adams, in a letter to her son, once said what I consider to be the answer, “These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are found in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues.”

“Great necessities call out great virtues” and signal best the occasion for serving others’ needs.

We, who are alive today, face no real shortage of ‘great necessity’.

Our world is smaller, faster, and daily becoming more crowded as technology extends and improves life for some, even as it exacts famine, strife, indifference, and death upon others.

Who then amongst us will answer the challenge of ‘great necessity’? I tell you tonight that in my experience, answers abound everywhere. For instance, I think of:

-Blue Hills Community Services (BHCS), a Kansas City, Missouri based non-profit affordable housing developer, who has used a block-by-block approach to urban revitalization.

In 25 years of service, BHCS has rehabilitated over 200 family units, eliminating blight, decreasing crime, creating local employment, and helping older residents to remain in their homes.

Or,

-Beth Sarver, a local artist, is committed to the idea that humanity is more than our productive capabilities. She has helped adults and children learn about the world around them through play, storytelling, and creative outlets of all kinds. Her efforts in working with local governments, non-profits, and numerous private organizations have led to the improved cognitive and social awareness of metro-area at-risk children.

Or perhaps,

-One of our own recent graduates, Chris Hoyt, who demonstrates service above self in a way that I can only aspire to; mentoring and educating not only hundreds of at-risk children in the rural villages of Mexico, but coordinating and training dozens of new volunteers, often outside of his normal work hours.

-Perhaps one of the best examples of public service that transcends any one sector of employment is the city of Greensburg, Kansas. In the aftermath of a tornado on 2007 that completely wiped away the infrastructure and physical presence of its town, when others might revel in despair, the people, government, administration, and businesses of this small town came together to re-imagine what a rural community can be in the 21st century. They have become a world icon of green-energy solutions, collaborative power, and the immense durability of a society that values the potential of the future, rather than the constraints of the past.

It is important, I think, that we see in these examples that public service is not the story of one person’s challenge or endurance, but the narrative of a committed few working to inspire and reach out to others.

Public service brings about a familiar vision of bureaucracy and politics. A vision that of late, has met with distrust, disgust, and contempt in many citizens’ minds. I don’t blame them, considering the examples of service in popular news media where servants have squandered both the financial resources and the delicate trust that they have sworn in many instances to uphold.

But, with this in mind, I challenge all of you to remember that together we have done wonderful things as a species, things greater than any one mind could imagine possible.

With this in mind, as some of us move on from graduation to career advancement and potentially more responsibility, and as others leave this graduation banquet to resume daily duties; I ask please that you endeavor to improve the lives of others around you.

Endeavor to work as a volunteer, or run for office, or offer your ideas and skills to your local government. Conversely, if you are privileged to serve the public as a government employee already – remember to listen and engage. These are not just customers, but your neighbors, family, and friends.

I began this speech with a quote from Abigail Adams, and so too will I close with one. One that I think best presents the challenge and the power of public service.

“Public business, my son, must always be done by somebody. It will be done by somebody or another. If wise men decline it, others will not; if honest men refuse it, others will not.”

Here’s to celebrating those with the wisdom and courage amongst us – those who accept this challenge on our behalf.

By Katherine Carttar (KU MPA 2012) & Margaret Mahoney (KU MPA 2012)

The 36 year hiatus after the first women’s conference has almost been forgiven as the second “Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference” in two years displayed real potential for the conference to become a nationally-recognized and attended annual event. Over 150 women and a handful of men attended the one day event hosted by the KU School of Public Affairs and Administration and KU Public Management Center on the K-State Olathe campus. Dynamic speakers, such as Treasurer of the United States Rosie Rios, inspired us to take every opportunity to empower the women around us. International attendees from Middle Eastern countries, at KU for a month taking classes with the KU Women’s Leadership Institute, helped us view our environment through a new lens. Their awestruck reaction to seeing a woman in a police uniform [Ellen Hanson, Chief of Police for the City of Lenexa, KS] illustrates how far we have come, but the fact that there was only one woman in uniform in attendance also shows how far we still have to go. As we participated in thought-provoking roundtable discussions and good conversation, common themes began to emerge as issues important to women in public administration.

Civility
One of the recurring themes throughout the day was the need for civility as professionals in public service. The topic was addressed in the morning panel and in both the morning and afternoon breakout groups. Julia Novak, President of The Novak Consulting Group, gave some great advice on the topic of how to handle incivility. She pointed out the need for more deliberation and less debate. Deliberation is a skill that we can all learn and practice, and it includes using negotiation and compromise. As a leader, you set the tone—so don’t allow incivility, don’t do it, and practice respect. This advice was echoed by Beth Linn, City Administrator with the City of Edgerton, who stated that we should lead by example and treat others with respect. Karen Davis, Senior Management Advisor with Management Partners Inc. and conference Chair, also noted the importance of diffusing incivility up front—do not assume it will get better as time goes by. Incivility is an unpleasant reality faced by many public service professionals, but with this advice it can be dealt with proactively and professionally.

Communication
The importance of honing the skill of good communication was referenced repeatedly throughout the day. In a morning breakout session, Sheryl Sculley, City Manager of Antonio, TX, described communication as a necessary skill to acquire in order to make the leap to the top. Women especially need a confident presence and the ability to speak assertively, while remaining willing to learn and be coached. Women have a tendency to wait for projects and promotions to be offered but we must become more comfortable with asking for what we want professionally. Mary Birch, Government Relations Coordinator at Lathrop & Gage LLP, took the necessity of good communication skills a step further. Collaboration and leadership are both achieved through communication. The best way to solve a complex issue is by taking the time to discuss it face-to-face but be sure to arm yourself with the objective facts, research, and data to achieve the best solution. In addition, the ability to convey a clear, concise, and compelling plan results in leadership that inspires and instills hope.

Professional Development
It is a good reminder to all of us to continue our professional development and education. For many of us, we have the great resources available through KU for continuing education and lifelong learning, but wherever you work, don’t be afraid to ask your employer to attend conferences and take classes. Moreover, encouraging education for your employees is critical. As Susan Stanton, Principal at SMS Consulting, points out, the public sector needs to act more like the private sector in recognizing that human capital is the most valuable asset. Sheryl Sculley also suggests doing a lot of different types of work early in your career to get a variety of experience and learn new skills. Jewell Scott, Executive Director of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City, also suggests “going into orbit” every day—pick up a magazine, newspaper, watch the news, learn about something new—rather than “ossify” in our own narrow part of the world. Opening up to new experiences and paying attention to the world around us not only allows continual growth both personally and professionally, but it allows us to be more creative and innovative.

Innovation
Every business in every sector must find a way to innovate or eventually perish. Much of the success in the private sector is a result of fearless innovation. These businesses plan ahead for every scenario so that an unsuccessful innovative gamble will rarely bankrupt them but rather provide information to ensure the following variation is a success. The act of receiving tax payer money has turned the public sector into followers and late adopters of efficiency increasing trends. In the afternoon keynote, Susan Stanton challenged public sector administrators to get out of the comfort zone of following and start taking risks by becoming true innovators. Public administrators are notorious for automating the same old process and calling it innovation. The real innovation needed in government is a total shake-up of organizational design to function across jurisdictions and allow the government to act proactively instead of always reactively. Unfortunately, with true innovation comes failure, which is not accepted in the public sector. As citizens and in our professional capacity, we must be willing to accept some amount of failure as it is an important aspect of success and progress.

Importance of Mentors
It is impossible to attend a conference today where the importance of mentors is not touted. While “mentor” may be a current conference buzzword, there is no disputing the validity of this advice. Karen Davis described mentors as a foundation for support and a person to approach for honest feedback. Mary Birch reminded mentors that they can get as much or more out of the relationship since it is only a matter of time before the mentor becomes the mentee. Treasurer Rios viewed the mentor relationship more broadly. She encouraged the women in the conference to establish informal foundation that supports women because it is our job is to inspire the next generation and create the conditions where women can succeed. It is important to view past and current challenges as women in public administration as an investment for future generations rather than a sacrifice. All forms of mentorship can result in profound and unexpected benefits for those on either side of the relationship.

Life Balance
As professionals, wives, mothers, friends, daughters, and the countless other roles that woman play, how do we stay balanced and live up to our own expectations and the expectations of others? Treasurer Rios suggests using a “pie of life” to describe what “having it all” means to a woman. Quite simply, you define what kind of pie you have and what goes in it. She advises us to let go of guilt and individually define what “having it all” means and also to remember that the pie will change. Susan Stanton suggested a similar approach—finding balance in your life by aiming for a balance in the totality of life. It may not be perfectly balanced at this moment, but it will be balanced overall.

Conclusion
Throughout the day of the conference a variety of topics were discussed, but one common theme to all of them is the importance and impact of women in public service today and into the future. The conference allowed us to take a moment in our busy lives to come to together to realize how far we, as women, have come, and how much further we have to go. Relationships with mentors and forming our own networks are critical to empowering each other, as well as utilizing effective communication and creativity. This conference is a great first step toward enacting these themes in our daily lives to improve our professional performance and personal wellness, and we encourage everyone to attend in the future.

Comments Delivered by Corporal Todd Seay, City of Lenexa Police Department
On June 27, 2012

Good afternoon. I would like to start by thanking everyone for attending this graduation and your continued support in each of us and the Emerging Leaders Academy.

I recall our first class back on February 29 and quite honestly thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?” Since then I have come to admire Noel and her co-instructors for their continued passion of Public Administration and their willingness to share their knowledge with each of us.

Over the past several months we have had the opportunity to hear first hand from a diverse group of successful leaders in all different types of careers within the public sector, each of whom candidly shared their individual experiences and leadership styles. Throughout the course it really helped me to see all of the different levels within the public sector and gave me a clear understanding of how each level comes together, making it all work. Perhaps what fascinated me most was the one common theme throughout this course; the passion we share in public service and the continued effort for improvement.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed making coffee for each of my classmates every other Wednesday and being the occasional hall monitor, this has truly been a wonderful opportunity to meet and develop friendships with not only my peers in law enforcement, but throughout the community.

This course has empowered each of us with the tools to develop into leaders within our individual organizations, and I think I speak for all of us when I say thank you to Noel, the KU Public Management Center, and to everyone that dedicated their time and support to this course and each of us.

Thank you.

Comments Delivered By Emily Knight
On April 20, 2012

I have to be honest, as a freshman in college, I would never have guessed that I would be giving a speech at my graduation. For starters, I wasn’t sure I wanted to graduate college, but I was all too aware that not doing so would have devastated my parents.

I couldn’t pick a major because I wanted to save the world, and I couldn’t figure out how to do that in a life drawing or physical anthropology class. Finally, it was during an intro to public administration course that I started to learn how to save the world, so I declared my major half way through the semester and I haven’t looked back since.

Because this room is full of current students, highly informed graduates, brilliant professors and others dedicated to public service, I don’t need to explain how public administration is the key to saving the world. I’ll explain it for our guests, however, like my family, who I’ve been told still don’t quite know what I’ll do with a public administration degree.

Basically, everything we complain about in life exists because there aren’t enough people dedicated to working in the public sector. Anything we don’t complain about, we are happy with because it is taken care of by public servants.

It is easy to identify the public employees that directly serve the public, from teachers to firefighters, but every professional is also regulated by public servants who protect the common good. Architects must receive approval for bridge designs from employees in federal agencies to ensure they are safe, because without that oversight the public could be in danger.

We often talk about frustrations with bureaucracy, but the extra paperwork we fill out on job applications protects us from discrimination, and the long lines at the DMV exist because people care that our roads are safe. We take public servants for granted, and hopefully we will always be able to.

Public administrators are entrusted with our tax dollars, which we all just finished paying a few days ago, and I studied public administration to ensure that, in the future, those taxpayers can live a life that is safe, full of opportunity, and above all supportive, so that anyone can change the world in their own field, be it drawing or anthropology.

Looking around this room, there are many people who have dedicated their lives to serving others, and on behalf of my class I want to say to them: We’re coming for you, and we’re going to take your jobs.

My classmates and I are clearly well-educated, impassioned, and we are committed to getting better, even after we graduate. We will continue to improve because we know what you know: that serving the public is the most important job you can do.

So to anyone who isn’t afraid to take on a new college graduate, I hope you challenge us in our attempts to take your job, because when we are all doing our best, the public wins, and we all win.

That being said, I also want to thank you. It is because of dedicated public servants that I could spend my life figuring out how to contribute to the world while you make complex choices to protect my future. I want to thank my professors as well, because their research and skills are unmatched in our field, and their passion captivated me so that I could become passionate myself.

And finally my family, especially my parents and fiancé, who didn’t care what I studied, as long as I was happy, and in my mom’s case, a graduate. She always said she gave her kids names that would look good on a diploma, and to support that she has probably given more money to KU for her five kids’ tuition than most of the people who have campus buildings named after them.

Thank you all for letting me speak tonight, and I look forward to seeing what an amazing world we can create together.

Comments Delivered By Lieutenant Tracy McCullough, Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department
On January 20, 2012

Hello and Good Afternoon,
I would like to personally take this time to welcome you all to the 2012 KU Emerging Leaders Academy. We would like to thank our family and friends for their continued support and for their ability to bring out the best in us. We would like to thank our Supervisors for investing in us and for recognizing that we are Emerging Leaders. Noel, I would like to especially thank you for being a great instructor and for being an inspirational and motivational leader. You welcomed our ideas and our opinions. We were able to build a strong relationship with others because we all realize how important networking and communication can be.

A few weeks prior to the start of the Emerging Leaders Academy, my grandson was born. He was only two pounds and two ounces. I can’t express to you how many times one of my classmates or Noel asked me about his welfare. I immediately knew that everybody had a genuine concern for me.

We talked about our professional goals. Education is very critical to our success. Take the time to invest in your career. Seek out training opportunities. Display good work ethics and be willing to take the next step up the career ladder. In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.

We also talked about our personal goals. I don’t believe that I have ever told anybody, with the exception of this class, that one day I would like to have a monkey as a pet. For the most part, my classmates were very receptive of this idea; well, with the exception of John and Carol.

During this class session, we took the strengths finder test. The test was able to determine what our five strengths are. My strengths are self-assurance, maximizer, learner, activator, and arranger. I use these five strengths every day at my workplace. Focus on your strengths and sharpen up on your skills. Use your strengths to motivate and influence others to be successful. A good leader can inspire, motivate, and lead. Be the multiplier in your organization.

I especially enjoyed the Mentor Shadowing Assignment. We were given the opportunity to shadow someone whom we admire. I shadowed Mr. Jeffery Fewell, the Administrator for the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department. I was able to have a one-on-one conversation with him. I asked him some questions about his career, his success, and about his genuine concern for his subordinates. I remember asking him, “Mr. Fewell, how did you build the morale of your troops?” He answered, “I show them that I am human and I show them that I care.” He advised me that determination is essential. Set the example and be selfless.

For all of you Newly Emerging Leaders, continue to strive for excellence and bring out the best in others.

“Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it’s amazing what they can accomplish.” – Sam Walton

Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” – Conrad Hilton, Hilton Hotels