Marching On

Happy March everyone!  I’m not even gonna mention March Madness this year.  I actually remembered to write this at the end of the month this time.  It’s hard to believe there’s only a couple weeks left of school.  Soon enough it’ll be summer time and I can enjoy a little bit of time off school.  Speaking of summer…

The Austria study abroad trip is slowly coming together.  It’s finally hitting me that I’ll be leaving in less than 2 months.  In April I have to go down to WKU for an orientation session so my family’s going to make a little vacation of it and go to Nashville for a night.  I’ve received some scholarships so far from NKU, but I’m also waiting to hear on a few more.  Everyone keep your fingers crossed for me.

March was pretty quiet for the MPA program.  Dr. Lambert did host a guest speaker, Richard Wolff, who discussed income inequality and the problems it causes for our democracy (those who are “feeling the Bern” would have really liked his lecture).  It was a great event, and I think a lot of people learned something about how crazy our modern capitalist society can be.  In April we will have the Spring Awards Banquet where Jeniece Jones, our MPA Distinguished Alumna, will be speaking. 

Registration for the fall semester just happened, and I signed up for a GIS course (which I’ve heard is a great class to take because you learn some unique skills) on Monday and Wednesday during the afternoon and Dr. Misis’ Homeland Security online class.  Yes, this means no night classes for me!!! 

At the Aronoff, I recently ushered “Newsies.”  It was a really fun show with the best choreography I’ve seen yet.  It also had a really catchy soundtrack.  Next up is “Book of Mormon” and “Beauty and the Beast” in April, both of which I’m super pumped to see.   

That’s all for now folks.  I’ll be back at the end of April for a recap of the semester and school year overall.  As always, thanks again for reading! 

Forgotten Post February

Well everyone this post is coming on March 1^st because I completely blanked last week about my February post :/.  So March will technically have two posts (unless I forget, which is very likely). 

First, I was accepted to study abroad in Austria this summer!!!!!  I will be spending five weeks in the beautiful city of Bregenz.  I will be taking a course on global leadership and a course on the psychology of good and evil with a focus on the Holocaust (should be some heavy stuff).  Right now I’ve been applying for scholarships because this program certainly isn’t cheap.  I will also be going to Cabo for a week like three days after I return so it’s going to be a very expensive, but fun summer.  May cannot get here soon enough.

Here at NKU I’ve been working on a few projects for the professors.  For Dr. Misis I’m finishing up his study on social media use by KY law enforcement agencies.  I’ve had to make a lot of phone calls.  That was the worst, because like everyone else my age, I hate talking on the phone.  Luckily the conversations were very short.  For Dr. Olberding I’m working on a literature review for her book.  My lit review focuses on special events and their impacts on diversity.  I’ve found some really good articles and studies so far, now I just have to write them up.  For Dr. Lambert I’m working on sprawl data in Excel. 

The MPA program recently hosted a dinner with ASPA that turned out great.  The guest speaker, Eric Avner, gave a brilliant presentation on People’s Liberty.  It’s a great, revolutionary organization that gives grants to people.  The grantees have done some extremely creative and thought-provoking work and I look forward to seeing what People’s Liberty does in the future.  You can check them out on Facebook and on their website: www.peoplesliberty.org. 

Coming up at the Aronoff I’ll be ushering “Newsies” (twice!) which should be a super fun show.  I just signed up yesterday to usher “Book of Mormon”!!!!!  That will probably turn out to be my favorite show ever and I will definitely write how awesome it is.  The schedule for next season also came out recently and there are quite a few shows that I look forward to working.  Check out the Aronoff’s website for more information on that. 

Next week is spring break already which means we’re already halfway through the semester!  I’ll be sure to post at the end of March to update on anything else exciting happening in the program.  Thanks again!