Neil Hernandez, Ph.D.
Pracademic
News
News
Marxe School
On May 28, 2024 I proudly recognized MPA student Christa Rodriguez, who earned the “Best Research Paper” recognition, from my Public & Nonprofit Management I course. This assignment involved focusing on a management problem in an organization, crafting a research question, using theory to scrutinize the problem, performing research, and developing recommendations with an action plan.
Christa’s research project focused on fundraising in a nonprofit organization. She robustly used theory to examine this function and offered prescriptions for impact in the long-run.
Marxe School
On May 15, 2024 I recognized MPA students Andrew Newman (Leader), Tim Hunter, and Rin Lama with the Best Consulting Team certificate in my Public & Nonprofit Management II course. They provided exceptional consulting services, including by using performance management techniques, to One Year for Earth. It “is an open resource and elective program that helps people explore the many facets of sustainability.”
More specifically, they assessed this organization’s programmatic activities and offered a pointed analysis and recommendations for refinement. Their work certainly supports the Marxe School to meet its mission “… to foster effective, inclusive institutions and societies …”
Marxe School
On May 15, 2024 I recognized MPA students Carmel Balan and Melen Yemane with the Best Consulting Team Leader recognition in my Public & Nonprofit Management II course. They lead their teams, providing exceptional consulting services, including by using performance management and strategic planning techniques, to the Marxe School MPA Program and the Musicians Foundation, respectively.
While the former “educate[s] and empower[s] leaders,” the latter advances “… the condition and social welfare of professional musicians ...”
More specifically, each team assessed their client’s programmatic activities and offered a pointed analysis and recommendations for refinement. Their work certainly supports the Marxe School to meet its mission “… to foster effective, inclusive institutions and societies …”
Marxe School
On May 13, 2024 I recognized MPA students Christa Rodriguez, (Coordinator), Masooma Amin, Samuel Garcia, and Zoe Sarullo with the Best Project Team recognition from my Public & Nonprofit Management I course. They made two exceptional presentations—using assigned case studies (on a government agency and a nonprofit organization)—that required them to apply theories, produce analyzes, and recommendations, and to work collaboratively. These presentations included fielding challenging questions during “Q&A” sessions from their colleagues.
Their work certainly advanced the development of “NASPAA” competencies, such as “to analyze, synthesize, think critically, solve problems, and make evidence-informed decisions …”
Marxe School
On April 15, 2024 “Professor” Alidia Vane delivered a presentation, “Managing Up, Down, Across, Out, and In,” to my students in the Public and Nonpro(t Management I course. Alidia, an MPA graduate of the Marxe School, founded and leads Alidia Vane Consulting. She shared insights on her leadership journey, including in consulting.
The students appreciated her thoughtful, robust, and instructive presentation as they consider their futures as pracademics.
SHFG Article Prize
On March 22, 2024 I was notified that my article on Frances Perkins was awarded the 2024 Article Prize
for excellence in any aspect of the federal government’s history by the Society for History in the Federal Government. The article was published in the Journal of Policy History.
I am especially proud for two reasons. First, I advanced an analytical framework that can help researchers of all stripes unearth insights from bureaucratic processes that can often be overlooked.
Second, and apropos for Women’s History Month, my article follows the lead of DeLysa Burnier (2008), who contends that the first woman to serve as Secretary in a presidential administration was a devalued subject in the discipline of public administration. Burnier argues that the bureau men of the FDR administration received more credit for reorganizing government operations. My research shows how Perkins strategically restructured components of the immigration system that she controlled despite restrictive immigration laws between 1933 and 1940.
(Photo credit: Francis Perkins Center)
Marxe School
On March 11, 2024 “Professor” Sandra Raafat made a presentation, “Bridging Sectors and Skills: From MPA Foundations to Social Impact Work,” to my students in the Public and Nonprofit Management I course. Sandra, who is a recent MPA graduate of the Marxe School, serves as Project Manager at Common Trust. She shared insights with students on the application of her degree to support businesses transition to shared ownership among employees and communities.
The students appreciated her thoughtful, thorough, and insightful presentation as they consider their futures as pracademics.
Marxe School
On February 14, 2024, consultants Minji Ham and Karimot Olaleye (pictured left and right) made a joint presentation, “PAF 9160 Consulting Projects: Two Perspectives for Client Deliverables that Add Value” to my students. Minji, an MPA candidate, and Karimot, an MPA graduate, earned the Best Consulting Team award last year in the Public & Nonprofit Management II course. They shared how they approached their client’s needs, data collection efforts, the analytical tools they used, and the completion of the deliverables—a report and a presentation—which included customized solutions for their client.
Their presentation was invaluable for students in the course this Spring semester. They are in the early phase of their consulting projects for organizational clients. The students appreciated Minji and Karimot’s expertise, insights, and support.
Marxe School
On February 5, 2024, “Professors” Valeria Martinez and Gaby Watson (pictured left and right) made a joint presentation to my students in the Public and Nonprofit Management I course. Valeria and Gaby are Marxe MPA candidates who earned the Best Research Paper award last year in my course. They discussed their research projects which focused on their organizations. The students benefitted by learning how the professors led their research from developing a question to using theory to analyze the organizational problem to making pointed policy recommendations.
The students appreciated their intellect, enthusiasm, and support.
ACANA
On January 23, 2024, I (remotely) co-presented with MPA Student Gabriella Tucciarone for the African Cultural Alliance of North America’s (ACANA) Baobab Roots Program (based in Philadelphia). Our presentation, “The Asylum Interview: Telling your Story,” was for women who have been victims of female genital mutilation/cutting and are interested in applying for asylum. We focused on preparing participants to tell their stories in the Asylum office.
ACANA’s program is funded by the US Department of Justice and is designed to provide victims with social service support. Baobab Roots also aims to stop this practice.
ARC
On September 7, 2023 I presented a research project, “Migrants at the Border ‘Wall’: The Decisionmaking Process of Asylum Officers,” at the CUNY Graduate Center’s Advanced Research Collaborative (ARC). This research endeavors to elucidate the complex asylum adjudication process that asylum seekers face when they arrive at the Southern Border. I benefitted from receiving feedback from an impressive interdisciplinary group of scholars. It was enjoyable and stimulating.
Marxe School
On May 26, 2023 I recognized MPA students Valeria Martinez and Gabrielle Watson, who earned the “Best Research Paper” recognition, from my Public & Nonprofit Management I course. This assignment involved focusing on a management problem in an organization, crafting a research question, using theory to scrutinize the problem, performing research, and developing recommendations with an action plan. Moreover, they will present their impressive work (as well as share advice on managing a research project) to students in the next iteration of the course.