by Janah Valenzuela
Staff Writer
Keith Schildt, director of the Master of Public Administration Program at the University of La Verne, was selected last month to the Urban Management Committee of the National Association for Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
NASPAA is a national membership organization that plays an important role in the education of future municipal managers.
The organization currently includes 250 members throughout the United States. Its mission is to “ensure excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service.”
As a member of the Urban Management Committee, Schildt helps to ensure a “viable supply of properly trained managers for the future.”
One of Schildt’s tasks involves working with the committee to resolve a possible human capital crisis that could occur when the current generation of public managers retire.
Schildt has also joined a NASPAA task force focusing on methods to relay information regarding careers in public management.
Prior to becoming a member of NASPAA, Schildt gained experience through city and government management.
His role as director of the Master of Public Administration Program provided the necessary contacts to secure a position on the NASPAA committee, he said.
“The MPA program is the only nationally accredited graduate program at the University,” Schildt said. “Therefore it is vitally important to the image of ULV both regionally in terms of being able to compete with the Cal State MPA programs and nationally as a member of a select group of graduate programs across the country.”
Through Schildt’s membership with NASPAA, ULV’s MPA program has gained exposure in the national association and in the discussion on municipal management.
“Dr. Schildt is a great person to be on this committee,” said Elaine Ahumada, marketing director of the Public Administration Department.
“His experience as a city and government manager makes him quite familiar with the job. I know he can provide valuable feedback for the community,” she said.
