Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Course Addition for Fall 2010

"Two courses have been added for Fall 2010.

1125-309-01 Justice in a Multicultural Society M/W 9:30 AM- 10:50 AM. This is required course.
1125-294-09 GIS (Geographic Information Systems) T/R 12:30 PM-1:50 PM. This is a special topics course.

Students are reminded to get advised and registered for Fall 2010 and avoid the $150 late fee. Students with question are asked to contact Dr. Sylvia Hill at 2002-274-5687."

Monday, May 24, 2010

CGS Applauds First Historically Black University to Establish PSM Program

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) has recognized two graduate programs at the University of the District of Columbia as Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree programs.
UDC is the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to establish a PSM program, and is leading the HBCU Mid-Atlantic PSM Alliance, a group of universities partnering to develop and offer new PSM degree programs.

The PSM is an innovative graduate degree designed to prepare students for 21st century science careers in business, government or non-profit organizations. Programs combine rigorous training in science or mathematics with coursework in workplace skills highly valued by employers, such as project management and communication.

“The Council of Graduate Schools is delighted to recognize the first Professional Science Master’s programs at an HBCU,” said Carol B. Lynch, Director of the PSM Initiative at CGS. “We look forward to UDC’s continuing leadership in the HBCU Mid-Atlantic PSM Alliance.”
CGS has been at the forefront of promoting the PSM degree by providing official recognition of new PSM programs, helping universities achieve such affiliation, serving as a clearinghouse for best practices, and working to make the degree a regular feature of graduate education.

“The adoption of PSM programs at HBCUs and other Minority-Serving Institutions is an important step forward in attracting more students from under-represented groups to graduate education,” said Debra W. Stewart, CGS President. “UDC’s program comes at a critical time, as the PSM continues to gather national momentum, spurred in part by recently-announced awards from the National Science Foundation for new program development,” she added.

Universities are establishing PSM degree programs at an accelerating rate: the number increased by nearly 30% in 2009, and has grown an additional 22% so far this year. There are currently almost 200 PSM programs at nearly 100 institutions, in 25 states and D.C., as well as in Canada and the U.K.
More information about the PSM Initiative is available at www.sciencemasters.com.

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) is an organization of over 500 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada engaged in graduate education, research, and the preparation of candidates for advanced degrees. Among U.S. institutions, CGS members award 95% of the doctoral degrees and 78% of the master’s degrees.* The organization’s mission is to improve and advance graduate education, which it accomplishes through advocacy in the federal policy arena, research, and the development and dissemination of best practices.

* Based on data from the 2008 CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment and Degrees
Council of Graduate Schools
One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 230 • Washington, DC 20036
(202) 223-3791 • www.cgsnet.org

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Public Affairs Fall Internship Program PUBLIC AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP SCOPE OF WORK

PUBLIC AFFAIRS INTERNSHIP SCOPE OF WORK

Interns will be working on projects related to the mission of the Office of Public Affairs and it’s functional areas:

Internal Communications
• Ensures that key policy, procedural, and operational information from headquarters is disseminated and understood by the Department’s employees, including messages to employees from the Secretary and other senior leaders.
• Works closely with peers in the Department’s component agencies to coordinate messaging and evaluate how best to practice and promote two-way communication.
• Researches communication needs and provides and maintains a comprehensive range of media to address the communication needs of the organization, including management of the DHS intranet, Connect, and publication of an employee newsletter.
• Enables effective organizational change, enhances morale and works to ensure that senior managers are perceived as effective communicators.

Incident Communications
• Ensures that, as appropriate, information related to domestic incidents is gathered and provided to the public.
• Coordinates the communication for incidents of various magnitudes from Developing to Catastrophic.

Press
• Serves as the Department’s principle point of contact for media inquiries and outreach.
• Informs the media on Department activities and priorities and policies of the Secretary and the President with regard to homeland security.
• Advises the Secretary and other Department officials on all aspects of media relations.
• Coordinates senior leadership interviews and news conferences.
• Prepares and issues department news releases, fact sheets, statements, and other supporting documentation.

• Strategic Communications
• Works closely with the DHS Policy office, conducts mid- to long-range strategic communications planning, and strengthens coordination with other Federal departments and agencies.
• Serves as a liaison between DHS and non-governmental organizations to improve public awareness of Department programs and policies.
• Established meaningful dialogue on issues of importance with key groups and stakeholders
• Coordinates speaking engagements, briefings, and conference programs.
• Coordinates internally with Department offices and components on a regular basis to organize and implement communication rollout plans and ensures complete understanding and support for future policies.
• Produces reviews, distributes FAQ’s, fact sheets, and Public Affairs Guidance for upcoming initiatives and policies.
• Manages the Department’s branding (identity) efforts to include proper use of the DHS seal and enforces all branding guidelines.

Web Communications
• Advances and promotes strategic opportunities to address department mission needs using internet and web communications
• Develops strategies, policies and procedures to ensure DHS content is timely, accurate, up-to-date and meets the needs of citizens and stakeholders.
• Advocates web-based communications and provide guidance to DHS on web communications.
• Develops, directs, and maintains Department websites.
• Develops strategies to promote key areas of the web site to ensure the citizens, governments, and businesses can find Homeland Security content.
• Represents the Department on interagency efforts related to web content.
• Manages interagency web incident communications.

Speechwriting
• Supports the Secretary and Deputy Secretary by preparing remarks, talking points, and testimony for public and private events.
• Helps develop overall messaging for Department and component leadership.
• Supports incident communications and exercises requiring the Secretary’s participation.
• Support speechwriting team with research and organization of materials needed for speech preparation.


Still Photography
• Directly supports The Secretary and Deputy Secretary.
• Create/Develop internal and external communication programs of still imagery via IMovies, Photoshop CS 4, Bridge and Lightroom 2.

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Public Affairs Fall Internship Program Fall 2010 Internship Application

Fall 2010 Internship Application
All internship applicants must be U.S. Citizens; dual citizens are not eligible. Applicants must also be currently
enrolled and in good standing in a College or University. Applicants focused on Government, Political Science,
Comparative Politics, Public Affairs, Communications, or other related fields are preferred. In addition, internships are
unpaid and housing is not provided. A security clearance is required. In order to obtain a security clearance, all
selected candidates must pass a background check. All applicants must provide the DHS Office of Public Affairs (OPA)
with a copy of the following application, a cover letter and a resume no later than May 30th.
Due to the large number of applications received, we are unable to respond to all of the applicants individually. Only
those candidates under consideration will be contacted. Only email applications will be considered. Please email this
form and any supporting documentation to the attention of the OPA Internship Coordinator at
OPA.Internships@dhs.gov.


Last Name: ________________________ First Name: _______________________ Middle: __________
Are you a U.S. Citizen? YES NO
Do you have dual citizenship: YES NO
Will you be enrolled during the term for which you are applying? YES NO
College/University: _____________________________________________________________________
State: ______________ Expected graduation date (month/year): __________________________________
Date of Birth: _____________ Social Security Number: _______________ Place of Birth: ______________
Current mailing address: _________________________________________________________________
Permanent address: _____________________________________________________________________
Preferred address: Home Current Other ____________________________________________
Home telephone number: ______________________
Cell phone: _______________________________
Please complete the following to the best of your knowledge:
Have you ever interned/worked for a U.S. Government agency? YES NO
if so which one? _________________________________________________________________
Have you ever been granted a security clearance? YES NO
If so, which type: Confidential Secret Top Secret Other _______________
When was this clearance granted: ____________
Is this clearance active? YES NO
If no, was this clearance: Suspended Revoked Administratively withdrawn Denied
Provide date of action for any of the above:____________________________________________
Is this an interim or temporary clearance? YES NO
What agency adjudicated this clearance? __________________________________________________
Investigative basis: ______________________ Type of Investigation: __________________________
Date investigation closed? ____________What agency conducted the investigation? _________________
If selected you will also be required to submit further information in order to obtain the necessary security clearance.
Please direct further inquiries to OPA.Internships@dhs.gov.

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Public Affairs Fall Internship Program Recruitment Letter to Universities

Dear Internship Coordinator,

We are writing to you because you are involved with securing challenging and competitive internships for your most promising students. If you are no longer involved with student internship coordination, could you please pass this email on to the appropriate person. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Public Affairs (OPA) currently has fall internship opportunities available. The fall application deadline is May 30th , 2010.

DHS is the leading agency for the U.S. Government mobilizing and organizing our nation to secure the homeland from terrorist. OPA is responsible for developing and implementing the Department’s message regarding homeland security and the oversight of the website, secretarial events, public outreach, media relations, and communications to all regional offices.
Interns will be working on various projects related to the mission of the Office of Public Affairs and it’s 12 functional areas. (Finance and Administration, Historian, Incident Communications, Intelligence and Operations Communications, Internal Communications, Multimedia Liaison, Office of the Press Secretary, Speechwriting, Strategic Communications, Technical Planning and Operations, and Web Communications). The internship is full-time with flexible hours and the DHS office (located near American University) is metro accessible. All candidates must be U.S. citizens (no dual citizenship) currently enrolled and in good standing in a College or University. Preference will be given to applicants with a focus on political science, governance, development, public affairs, communications, and other related areas. Internships are unpaid and housing assistance is not provided. Interns will require a security clearance. In order to obtain a security clearance, all candidates must pass a background check.

Please inform your students about this opportunity. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to the Internship Coordinator via email at OPA.Interships@dhs.gov by May 30th 2010. Attached is an informational flyer containing information regarding the internship. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Alumni Profiles

You could be here. Send us an email letting us know what's new in your life.

Noel Mueller, International Law Enforcement Advisor with DynCorp International under contract with the U.S. State Department, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Office. He is assigned to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, Inspector General's Office.

Where are our Alumni now?

Where are our Alumni now?
Noel Mueller (BA-Admin of Justice '94; JD Catholic University '99)