Levin College Announces Strategic Merging of Center for Public and Nonprofit Management and Center for Emergency Preparedness
The Levin College has announced a strategic merging of the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management (CPNM) and the Center for Emergency Preparedness in an effort to better serve Northeast Ohio's public safety training needs. As Dean Roland V. Anglin noted, "The Center for Emergency Preparedness has filled an important niche over the years - especially in fire safety. We as a College recognize the increased need for trained emergency management professionals who can work across the spectrum of police, fire, and emergency response. It became clear after speaking with constituents in the public safety community throughout the region that we could better focus our efforts by positioning the Center for Emergency Preparedness within the CPNM. This will enable us to more closely align with and build on our growing academic focus in public safety management and local governments without losing our stock capacity. Through this strategic merging, the College intends to expand its programming in areas such as community resilience, cross-sector management and response, and cyber security." Read More >>
Dr. Iryna Demko Examines the State of Rural Northeast Ohio
Dr. Iryna Demko, Research Associate in Levin's Center for Economic Development, has recently published a research brief, The State of Rural Northeast Ohio, along with co-author and Levin doctoral student Samuel Owusu-Agyemang. The brief focuses on industries in eight rural Northeast Ohio (NEO) counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Columbiana, Erie, Huron, Richland, Tuscarawas, and Wayne. According to their findings, these counties produced $30 billion of output and employed 300,000 people in 2018. Output growth in rural NEO counties has outperformed urban NEO and Ohio, and the report indicates much of this growth can be attributed to Utica Shale development. The brief also found that Tuscarawas County surpassed output growth in all other NEO counties. Read More >>
Molly Schnoke Presents Research on Opportunity Youth at the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities 25th Annual Conference
On October 21-23, Molly Schnoke, Project Manager at Levin's Center for Community Planning and Development, attended the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities' (CUMU) 25th Annual Conference in Philadelphia. There she presented "A Scan of the Field: Urban and Metropolitan Based University Opportunity Youth Programs" and shared the findings of the Center's forthcoming study, which seeks to understand and contextualize opportunity youth programs for urban and metropolitan based universities and communities. Schnoke discussed what member institutions are doing for opportunity youth in their communities, while examining best practices for creating, supporting, and implementing programs for institutions of higher education and identifying strategies for the scaling of successful opportunity youth programs. Additional information related to the conference and the study is forthcoming.
Dr. Wendy Kellogg Presents alongside Levin Graduate and Student at the Sustainable 2019 Summit
On October 16, Dr. Wendy Kellogg, Professor and Faculty Chair at the Levin College, attended the Sustainable 2019 Summit with Levin graduate Rene Kizys (MA '19) and current MA student Daniel Poslet. Dr. Kellogg and Kizys presented a plan for increasing tree canopy at the neighborhood scale and Poslet presented on another sustainability issue. The Sustainable 2019 Summit was convened by the City of Cleveland and is the last of ten years of summits focused on "building a green city on a blue lake." Each year the City has hosted a summit focused on one aspect of sustainability (e.g. water, economics, transportation, energy, neighborhoods) gathering over 500 people. Participants worked through a process to identify the assets and actions that would improve conditions regarding sustainable redevelopment in Cleveland. Dozens of new businesses, nonprofit organizations, government initiatives, and partnerships have resulted from these summits. Mayor Frank Jackson (MS '79, BA '77) initiated the Sustainable 2019 Summit process in 2009, anticipating the national and international press that would focus on Cleveland for the 2019 50th anniversary of the last burning of the Cuyahoga River. It addressed the City of Cleveland's efforts to make it an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable city. In addition to the Levin participants mentioned above, many Levin faculty, staff, and alumni attended this and previous summits to contribute their ideas about revitalizing Cleveland in a sustainable way.
Dr. Megan E. Hatch to Discuss Fair Housing, Segregation, and Social Disparities
On November 14, Dr. Megan E. Hatch, Associate Professor and PhD Program Director at the Levin College, will serve on a panel titled "The Lines Between Us: A Dialogue about Fair Housing, Segregation, and Social Disparities" at Case Western Reserve University's (CWRU) Social Justice Institute. In The Lines Between Us: Two Families and a Quest to Cross Baltimore's Racial Divide, journalist Lawrence Lanahan chronicles the segregation and economic inequalities of Baltimore and the strategies activists, community leaders, attorneys, and politicians are employing to change them. Dr. Hatch will join Lanahan and Jonathan Entin of CWRU to reflect on the broad themes introduced in the book and compare them with the related work happening in Cleveland.
Dr. Mark J. Salling Provides Research and Testimony in Ohio Court Case on Voting Eligibility
In a decision by an Ohio federal court (Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division) on November 6, US District Court Judge Michael H. Watson ordered the State of Ohio to discontinue its practice of disenfranchising eligible voters arrested and held in pre-trial detention in the final days preceding an election. Research and testimony provided by Dr. Mark J. Salling, Senior Fellow and Research Associate at the Levin College, helped influence the ruling. In 2018, Campaign Legal Center (CLC) and partners filed a lawsuit on behalf of all late-jailed voters in Ohio seeking access to the ballot and the ability to exercise their right to vote, arguing that a person's ability to cast a ballot should not be determined by the date of their arrest or their ability to pay bail. Plaintiffs argued, and the court agreed, that the Ohio Secretary of State must allow eligible voters who are confined in a jail or workhouse a few days before election day to apply for absentee ballots, just as those who are confined in hospitals are allowed that right. As a result of CLC's case, eligible voters who are arrested and detained pre-trial by the state in the days leading up to an election have been given the protection to vote. Read More >>
Dr. Rosie Tighe Selected for Writing Residency at Rockefeller Foundation's Bellagio Center
Dr. Rosie Tighe, Associate Professor at the Levin College, has been selected for an academic writing residency at the Rockefeller Foundation's Bellagio Center in Italy. During her residency she will work to complete her forthcoming book, "Comfort Zones: Race and Privilege in Metropolitan America." The academic writing residency is designed for university and think tank-based academics, researchers, professors, and scientists. Successful applicants must demonstrate decades of significant professional contributions to their field or show evidence of being on a strong upward trajectory for those earlier in their careers. In reviewing applicants, the Center seeks proposals that align with The Rockefeller Foundation's efforts to promote the well-being of humanity, particularly through issues that have a direct impact on the lives of poor and vulnerable populations around the world.
Focus on Facts: Gradual Growth in Regional Collaboration in Cuyahoga County, Ohio
A recent Levin Focus on Facts report, Gradual Growth in Regional Collaboration in Cuyahoga County, Ohio has been released. The report summarizes the findings of the 2018 Levin College Regional Cooperation Survey Report, authored by Dr. Roland V. Anglin, Dean and Professor at the Levin College, and Levin graduate Rene Kizys (MA '19). It examines how widespread and significant collaborative arrangements are in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The findings indicate that for many cities, regionalism is the answer to managing challenges brought about by metropolitan sprawl. Read More >>
2019-2020 Levin Mentoring Program Begins
The Center for Public and Nonprofit Management's 2019-2020 Mentoring Program launched on October 24 with its annual kick-off dinner, welcoming fifty-two Levin College juniors, seniors, and graduate students to the cohort. Each student has one or two mentors, resulting in over 110 cohort members total. Mentors are executive-level leaders from organizations throughout the Greater Cleveland region, such as the City of Cleveland; Cuyahoga County; Downtown Cleveland Alliance; the City of Solon; the City of Shaker of Shaker Heights; the Ohio House of Representatives; Campus District, Inc.; Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc.; Cleveland Metroparks; the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The mentoring program was founded in 2001 by Senator Grace L. Drake under the Ohio Center for the Advancement of Women in Public Service. Since its inception, the program has paired hundreds of Levin College students with executive-level mentors in their fields of interest. The students meet with their mentors at least monthly, and participate in professional development and community engagement programs throughout the academic year. Learn More >>
Levin Graduate Arleesha Wilson Selected as Cleveland HomeGrown Heroes Winner for Women on the Rise
Levin graduate Arleesha Wilson (JD/MUPD '17), who serves as a Real Estate Portfolio Manager at Cleveland Neighborhood Progress and also practices law through her own firm, has won the Cleveland.com HomeGrown Heroes award in the Women on the Rise category. Wilson will be recognized at the second annual HomeGrown Heroes Award Reception on November 13 at smARTspace at 78th in Cleveland. HomeGrown Heroes celebrates the unsung heroes of our community who are working tirelessly on their start-ups, businesses, innovations, and social organizations to fuel the economic development of our region. The Women on the Rise category is presented by Cleveland Leadership Center. Wilson, a Cleveland native, is dedicated to helping people who "don't qualify for Legal Aid, but cannot afford exorbitant fees typical of many law firms." One of the individuals who nominated Wilson for the HomeGrown Heroes award wrote, "She has passionately and very effectively built a law firm that serves people's legal needs who may otherwise go unrepresented… She has helped many people in Greater Cleveland through evictions, foreclosures, and even bankruptcy. They all sing her praises and commonly acknowledge her integrity and desire to help."
Levin Graduate Gina Vernaci Discusses Creating Community through the Arts on CSU's ENGAGED Tumblr
Gina Vernaci (MS '03), President and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Playhouse Square, had spent nearly four decades as a theater manager and administrator and was in the middle of a highly successful tenure there when a lunchtime walk changed her educational and professional path. "I walked by Cleveland State's Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs building, which is a block away from my office at Playhouse Square, and found myself wondering what urban affairs meant," she says. "I walked in to find out, and realized how important the field was to the work I did every day in building a broader arts community for the region. Shortly thereafter, I applied to the Master's in Urban Studies program." Vernaci graduated from Levin with her master's degree in 2003 and credits the education and training she received as a key factor in her continued career advancement, which culminated in July 2019 with her appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer of Playhouse Square. "Knowing how cities work and how people operate within them has been pivotal to being a good leader for this organization which, in addition to presenting performances, is actively involved in downtown development," Vernaci adds. "I use my CSU degree literally every day." Read More >>
Levin in the News
Dr. Roland V. Anglin, Dean and Professor at the Levin College, was quoted in a New Jersey Spotlight article, "Could Newark's Lead Problems Affect Investment, Development in Resurgent City?"
Dr. Robert Gleeson, Associate Dean, Professor, and Albert A. Levin Chair of Urban Studies and Public Service at the Levin College, was quoted in a Cleveland.com article on the attraction and retention of young professionals in Greater Cleveland.
Professor Norman Krumholz, Professor Emeritus at the Levin College, was profiled on Shareable.net, which recognized him for his role in bringing equity to the forefront of urban planning.
Dr. Thomas Bier, Senior Fellow at the Levin College, was quoted in a Cleveland.com article that discusses the implications of the potential closure of Collinwood High School.
Dr. Andrew R. Thomas, Executive In Residence at Levin's Energy Policy Center, was quoted in an article on MicrogridKnowledge.com, "Cleveland Seeks Developer in Next Stage of Large Downtown Microgrid Project."
Suzanne Sharpe, Manager of Administrative Operations in Department of Urban Studies at the Levin College, has received substantial media coverage regarding her efforts to preserve the historic "Huntington House" located in Medina County. The project made the front page of The Gazette and it was also the cover story of the November 2019 issue of Joy of Medina County Magazine.
Anton Krieger (MPA student) was featured on KentWired.com, in their article "20-year-old Cleveland State student running for North Royalton city council."
Daniel Morganti (MUPDD '09) was featured on Record-Courier.com in an article discussing his new role as director of the Portage County Land Bank, where he will work to acquire foreclosed and vacant property to put them to better use.
Tuesday 11/12 @ 4 - 6 pm | Closing the Talent Gap: Aligning Opportunities for a Greater Region
On Tuesday, November 12, the Levin College will host its next Forum on efforts to better meet the workforce needs of the Northeast Ohio economy. "Closing the Talent Gap: Aligning Opportunities for a Greater Region" will present findings from Team NEO's 2019 Aligning Opportunities report, which shares that the demand for skilled and educated talent in the region is increasing, while educational attainment is not keeping up with this demand. It will also discuss opportunities to better align training and education with the current workforce needs of local industry.
The panel will be moderated by Jacob W. Duritsky (BA '05, MS '07), Vice President for Strategy and Research at Team NEO and features Dr. Roland V. Anglin, Dean and Professor at the Levin College; Courtney DeOreo, Executive Director of RITE and Senior Director at the Greater Cleveland Partnership; John Flynn, Director of Talent Acquisition at MCPc; Tracy Green, Vice President for Strategic and Institutional Development at Lorain County Community College; Tracey Phelps, Deputy Director of Operation and Maintenance at the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District; and Autumn R. Russell, Executive Director of the Early College, Early Career Program of the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET).
Thursday 11/21 @ 4 - 6 pm | Meet the Mentor: A Panel Discussion
Join the Center for Public and Nonprofit Management for an evening of conversation! "Meet the Mentor" provides the opportunity to seek advice from our panel of mentors and network with this year's mentoring cohort. Panelists include Dale Anglin, Program Director at the Cleveland Foundation; Joy Johnson (MPA '14), Associate Director at Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc.; Hunter Morrison, Senior Fellow at the Levin College; and Terrell Cole, Deputy Chief of Operations at the City of Cleveland.
Although this is part of the Levin College Mentoring Program, all are welcome from the Levin College community. RSVP is required by Thursday, November 14. Learn More and RSVP >>
Closing the Talent Gap:
Aligning Opportunities for a Greater Region
Open to the Public. Free to Attend. Please Register. >>Learn More and Register
Diversity & Inclusion 101:
Busting Myths & Building Allyship
This event is at full capacity and we are no longer accepting registrations at this time.
LeanOhio Boot Camp 4-Day Training Program November 14, 15, 21, and 22, 2019
Registration Deadine: November 8, 2019. >>Learn More and Register
Vibrant NEO Champion Awards 2019 Levin College Partner Event
Registration Required. >>Learn More and Register
Economic Inclusion Roundtable: Voices from the Field
This event is at full capacity and we are no longer accepting registrations at this time. >>Learn More
City of Cleveland Community Development -
A Neighborhood Revitalization Toolbox
Open to the Public. Free to Attend. Please Register. >>Learn More and Register
Meet the Mentor: A Panel Discussion
Open to the Levin College community.
Please RSVP by November 14, 2019. >>Learn More and RSVP
