COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Human Resources Department

DATE:

January 6, 2011

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 25, 2011

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Donna Vaillancourt, Human Resources Director

SUBJECT:

Onsite Master’s in Public Administration Program

RECOMMENDATION:

Recognize and commend the County’s onsite Master’s in Public Administration cohort upon their successful completion of the three and a half year degree program: Lawrence Cualoping, Garrett Dunwoody, Bianca Fasuescu, Francisco Gomez, Alice Hilker, Mark Korwald, Mina Lim, Irene Maxwell, Elida Oettel, Lisa Okada, and Karen Pugh.

BACKGROUND:

In the Spring of 2007, the County expanded its employee development program by entering into a partnership with San Francisco State University College of Extended Learning to provide an onsite customized Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) degree program to interested County, city, special district, and nonprofit employees in our community.

DISCUSSION:

In launching the MPA degree program, informational sessions and other marketing efforts were conducted to reach out to interested employees and community partners. San Francisco State University screened the applications received and selected twenty-nine qualified employees for the cohort.

The customized MPA curriculum, which had an emphasis in Public Management, began in the Fall of 2007. Two evening courses were held twice a week in classrooms provided by the Probation Department in the Youth Services Center during the fall and spring semesters.

This onsite MPA degree program provided employees the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills by participating in various courses including: finance, human resources, public policy, intergovernmental relations, eGovernment and program evaluation.

Through their outstanding efforts, on December 10, 2010, eighteen students graduated with their MPA with eleven of the graduates employed by the County (including Superior Court and Housing Authority).

The County commends these employees for their achievements.

The onsite MPA degree program contributes to the County’s Shared Vision 2025 of a Prosperous Community by supporting, preparing and developing employees in their academic goals in order to meet current and future workforce needs.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The program was funded through employee paid tuition which was partially offset by the County’s Tuition Reimbursement Program.