2006 ASPA Conferece - Denver

University & State Agency Partnerships: Mutual Benefits for Faculty, Students and State Agency Administrators

Saturday, April 1, 2006 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Conducted by:

  • Dr. Howard R. Balanoff, Professor & Director, Texas State University’s William P. Hobby Center for Public Service and Chair of ASPA’s Section on Professional and Organizational Development (SPOD)

Panel Participants:
  • Mr. Eddie Molina, Director, Financial Administration Services Division, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
  • Dr. Robert Larsen, Professor of Geography & Director of Texas State University’s Program in Joint University State Agency Relations
  • Dr. Ronald J. Stephenson, Deputy Director of Texas State University’s Program in Joint University State Agency Relations
  • Mr. James Vaughn, Adjunct Professor, Texas State University, Department of Geography

This 2 and 1/2 hour workshop will explore the ongoing relationship between the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Texas State University. This relationship currently provides millions of dollars to Texas State University for faculty and student programs and activities and can be replicated both in Texas (with other state agencies) and other states throughout the US.

Over the past few years the TCEQ has entered into a series of contractual relationships with Texas State University. These contracts have provided paid job opportunities for university graduate and undergraduate students. In addition, under these contracts, university faculty and administrators have participated in a variety of environmental projects around the state of Texas.

The contracts from TCEQ to Texas State University have recently gone over the 3 million dollar mark. The benefits for the State agency (TCEQ) have included the ability to get a large amount of work done (i.e. written environmental permits) without increasing the FTE of the state agency workforce. The benefits to the university have included increased funds for university students to work in internships (on the campus) and the opportunity for university students to sample what a public sector environmental job would be like in the real world. In addition, faculty and students receive valuable experience on how to work on current environmental problems in Texas.

SPOD Business Meeting (3:45 pm - 5:00 pm)

SPOD Reception (5:00 pm - 6:00 pm)

On site registration for the 2006 ASPA National Conference begins on Thursday, March 30.