Welcome to “SPEAk”, the interactive blog written by current graduate students at Indiana University’s School of Public & Environmental Affairs.
From the perspective of current students, this blog provides an insiders look at the world of SPEA – from class topics, events, or student life.
The students are happy to answer any questions you may have, so feel free to start conversations in the comment section of posts.
We’re looking forward to providing you daily updates and connecting you with current students as you make the important decision to become a SPEA student yourself.
About the Authors
Melissa D. Cantarero is a 24 year old student in the Masters of Public Affairs program at SPEA with concentrations in Economic Development and Policy Analysis. She earned her undergraduate degree in Economics and Spanish from Colorado State University. Her professional interests include local government management and pay systems in the public sector. Outside of school, Melisa enjoys cooking and jewelry making. She will graduate in May 2008 and take a position as Communication Specialist for the City of Creve Coeur, Missouri.
Jelling Lai is a second year MSES/MPA joint degree international student, originally from Taiwan and Malaysia. Her concentrations are Environmental Policy and Natural Resource Management (MPA), as well as Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment (MSES). She holds the position of Rutledge Diversity Project Coordinator and her summer 2007 internship was as Government Transformation Fellow with the Partnership for Public Service.
Sarah Mincey is currently a PhD student in Environmental Science at SPEA working with Dr. Burney Fischer. She recently graduated in December 2007 from SPEA with a Masters of Public Affairs and a Masters of Science in Environmental Science through the dual MPA/MSES program. While in the Masters program, Sarah served as SPEA’s Nonprofit Service Corps Coordinator and a co-chair on the Executive Board for SPEA’s Student Professional Enrichment Auction. She came to SPEA from Morehead, Kentucky where she grew up and attended college at Morehead State University.
Rafael Pumarejo Murphy is currently an MPA student with concentrations in Public Financial Administration, Economic Development, and Policy Analaysis at SPEA and works as the International Student and Volunteer Coordinator. He is also a Peace Corps Fellow, McNair Scholar, President of the International Public Affairs Association (IPAA), and President of the Indiana University Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Group. He served as an English and Community Development Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkmenistan from 2003 to 2005 and returned there this past summer as a Department of State Intern in Embassy Ashgabat’s Public Affairs and Political/Economic Sections. He is originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and graduated with degrees in Political Science and English but came to SPEA from Washington DC where he was working at Washington Post-Newsweek Interactive. Despite his concentrations, he wants to work exclusively in international development.
It’s a shame that this blog has gone inactive. It could be a really great tool for communicating with each other and prospective students. I am a first-year at SPEA, and I don’t even know any of these folks.