Nissen accepts position at Fresh Energy

Will Nissen (MPP '09) recently joined Fresh Energy to pursue research, advocacy, and outreach work on clean energy and energy efficiency policy in Minnesota. He looks forward to transforming widely held economic and environment ideals into smart energy policies that guarantee the long-term health of people and their communities. Will also writes on energy issues as a fellow at Minnesota 2020.

Connect with Will: nissen@fresh-energy.org

Baltazar accepts position at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin

Since June, James Baltazar (MURP '10) has been a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Field Policy and Management with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Office of Field Policy and Management provides direction and oversight for regional administrators and field office directors. The office communicates priorities and policies of the Secretary to these managers, as well as providing operational feedback to constructively influence program design and departmental policy making.

Baltazar currently works with the HUD Minnesota field office director in Minneapolis to find permanent housing for local homeless veterans, collaborating with several members of the Minnesota Federal Executive Board to find permanent employment for veterans and implementing technology enhancements, including digital signatures, electronic contracts, and a customized digital training program for onboarding employees.

Baltazar has accepted a PMF rotation as a foreign affairs officer with the Department of State at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland, from January to July, 2013. He will be responsible for following and reporting on U.S. government priority issues during the Irish Presidency of the European Union. Key issues include data privacy, comprehensive trade agreement negotiations, environmental affairs, and budgetary decisions. Baltazar will support U.S. delegations traveling to Dublin for meetings, and coordinate with the U.S. Mission to the EU, the State Department, and other federal agencies.

Connect with James: jamesbaltazar@gmail.com

Dettmann joins WaterAid

In September, Marc Dettmann (MPP '09) joined WaterAid America as a researcher. Based in New York City, WaterAid works to give people all over the world access to safe water and sanitation. WaterAid has programs in 27 countries and works with local partners to provide them with the skills and support to help communities set up and manage practical and sustainable projects. Prior to beginning his position with WaterAid, Dettmann was a research consultant at Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Kinders will chair 2014 task force

Mark Kinders (MPA '00), the vice president for public affairs at the University of Central Oklahoma, was selected as chair-elect of a higher education task force that sponsors a nationwide conference on public higher education government relations.

The Higher Education Government Relations Conference brings public policy advocates, presidents, regents, and other higher education leaders together to discuss state and national trends generated by governors, state legislators, Congress, and the federal administration. During the three-day annual conference, attendees are updated on federal and state public policy initiatives, global challenges, and best practices of universities and colleges in order to improve America's global competitiveness through higher education.

The national task force, which also recognizes exemplary contributions by higher education policy advocates, is comprised of 20 representatives from four higher education associations: the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, representing regional four-year institutions; the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, comprised of doctoral research institutions; the American Association of Community Colleges; and the Council for the Advancement of Support of Education, whose membership includes more than 4,000 public and private higher education institutions in 29 nations. Collectively, the four associations represent more than 14.9 million students at America's public universities and colleges.

Kinders will chair the task force as it establishes its 2014 conference agenda.

Connect with Mark: mkinders@uco.edu

Becker to research rural multimodal transportation

Carol Becker (MA '87) received a grant in September from the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), which will allow her to explore multimodal transportation options for rural and small urban locations. She will spend the next year and a half researching existing initiatives for multimodal travel in rural contexts and then prepare recommendations for future multimodal programs. Becker is a research associate at the Humphrey School.

Connect with Carol: cjbecker@umn.edu