Maxwell students attend ICMA conference

On September 25, 15 students in Maxwell’s MPA program attended the International Cities/Counties Management Association (ICMA) annual conference in Kansas City.  There they joined more than 3,500 public servants, gathered to enhance their skills and share management strategies from cities throughout the world.

Student attendance was made possible, in part, by the enthusiasm and philanthropic initiative of Wally Bobkiewicz ’89 MPA, currently the city manager of Evanston, Illinois. For more than a decade, Bobkeiwicz has organized a fund drive among Maxwell alumni across the country, intended to assist students considering careers on state and local government. Attendance at the annual ICMA conference is a central piece of that effort.

This year’s ICMA conference included such timely topics as building strong communities during disruptive change, civic trust, and handling challenges with law enforcement and the community.  Speakers at the conference included award-winning journalist and news anchor Soledad O’Brien, who described growing up as a Latino in America and how that has shaped her style as a new anchor and documentarian; New York Times columnist David Brooks; and America’s first African-American female combat pilot, Vernice “Flygirl” Armour.

Bobkiewicz’s dedication to Maxwell led also, in 2012, to the formation of a local ICMA student chapter, which has hosted numerous events and panels during its short existence.  The chapter recently elected its new executive team and is working with Bobkiewicz to organize a panel discussion during November.  The new chapter officers are Jace Beehler, president; Chloe Elberty, vice president; Michael Equi, secretary; Jason Mehta, treasurer. 

10/18/16