The group of industry leaders will provide advice and counsel the school about the direction of, and changes and needs of the public affairs sector including input about curriculum, careers, professional development, funding and research opportunities that advances the school’s goals.
“I am proud to stand with this very distinguished group of leaders who have volunteered their time and talent to our school,” said King Banaian, dean of the School of Public Affairs. “They provide a wide range of expertise in areas of public service as expert practitioners.”
The council will meet twice a year. The school intends to add another 10-15 members to the council throughout the next year.
At its initial meeting the group named Jim Graves as its chair and Debra Yerigan as its vice-chair.
“I’m excited about being part of this new board at St. Cloud State University,” Graves said. “A new board for a relatively new school gives us a great chance to build the School of Public Affairs’ presence and profile in our professions and communities.”
The School of Public Affairs Advisory Council members play a vital role in ensuring the ongoing success, growth and vitality of the school by supporting the mission in empowering student-centered success, innovative and integrated curriculum, adaptability and promoting internal and external collaboration.
“I am happy to have an opportunity to give something back to the School of Public Affairs,” Yerigan said. “I look forward to sharing some of my experiences and contacts with its students and faculty.”
Founded in 2011, the School of Public Affairs at St. Cloud State currently has 50 faculty members, 110 graduate and 940 undergraduate majors studying in the areas of criminal justice, economics, geography, planning and community development, political science and public administration. The school prepares students to be stewards of the public interest, practitioners and leaders in the public and private sectors.
Advisory Council members
- Chas Anderson ‘96, co-founder and partner, MZA+Co, St. Paul
- David Borgert, director, community and government relations, CentraCare Health, St. Cloud
- James Bullard ‘84, president, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Missouri
- John Campbell, professor emeritus in Criminal Justice Studies, St. Cloud State
- Patti Gartland ‘80, president, Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation, St. Cloud
- Jim Graves ‘74, CEO, Graves Hospitality Corp, Minneapolis
- Don Hickman, vice president of workforce and economic development, The Initiative Foundation, Little Falls
- Shaunna Johnson, city administrator, City of Waite Park
- Jermaine Ogaja ‘07, economist, The International Monetary Fund, Washington D.C.
- Dan Rogan ‘00 senior assistant Hennepin County Attorney, Minneapolis
- William Schramm ‘04, senior VP, Logan Circle Partners, Summit, New Jersey
- Steven S. Smith ‘75, Kate M. Gregg Distinguished Professor of Social Science and Director of the Weidenbaum Center, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
- Chris Thiebaut ‘05, AVP, Corporate Actions Manager, RBC Wealth Management, Minneapolis
- Dale Trippler ‘69, consultant, Landmark Environmental, LLC, St. Paul
- Debra Yerigan ‘82, attorney, Messerli & Kramer, Minneapolis
