Reflection from the ASPA 2024 Conference | Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector

by Maria Cedeno:

Image of Maria presenting her panel at the Social Equity Leadership Conference at the University of Connecticut’s Stanford campus.

As a second-year MPA student at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Social Equity Leadership Conference (SELC) at the University of Connecticut’s Stamford campus from June 20-22, 2024. This experience was not only enlightening but also transformative, offering valuable insights into critical social equity issues.

The conference provided a platform for diverse perspectives and research. On June 21, I participated in a three-person panel within the Public Policy and Social Equity (PPSE) track. Our panel, titled “Public Policies to Redress Disparate Impacts Across Communities: A Comprehensive Approach,” covered a range of important topics.

My presentation focused on “Childcare Deserts and Impending Childcare Crisis.” I presented on childcare deserts, which is an area where the demand for childcare significantly exceeds the available licensed slots. These deserts contribute to social and economic disparities, affecting maternal labor force participation and economic mobility. Rural and low-income urban areas are particularly impacted by this issue.

The Q&A session following our presentations was particularly enlightening. While initially challenging, the supportive audience helped ease my nerves. Their questions highlighted areas where I could enhance my research, such as exploring the difference between licensed and informal childcare providers.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the conference was the opportunity to receive feedback from experienced professionals. Associate Professor Michelle Evans from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga took the time to provide extensive feedback to everyone on my panel. Her insights were invaluable and helped generate further areas for exploration in our research topics.

Participating in the SELC was truly a transformative experience. It reinforced the importance of addressing critical social equity issues like childcare deserts. The conference not only expanded my knowledge but also connected me with like-minded individuals passionate about fairness and justice in our communities.

As I move forward I am motivated to continue my research and advocacy work in this essential field. The insights gained from the SELC will undoubtedly contribute to the development of comprehensive policies aimed at ensuring all families have access to quality childcare.

The Social Equity Leadership Conference was an invaluable opportunity for learning, growth, and networking as part of my MPA experience. This conference experience has inspired me to delve deeper into social equity issues and work towards creating positive change in our society.

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About the author:

Maria Cedeno currently pursuing my Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Operations and Management. She will be graduating in the Fall of 2024. She is a finance and research administrator with over two decades of experience, shaping visions and initiatives for educational and non-profit organizations. Currently serving as the Director of Administration and Finance, she has lead strategic development and management for a social work research center.

by Margaret Mikulski:

Image of Margaret sharing her work on the history of gender equity in public sector workplaces at the 2024 ASPA Conference.

As an online Master of Public Administration student at John Jay, I had a different educational experience than most on-campus students. Working with IGEPS as a graduate fellow, I have built wonderful relationships with both Professor D’Agostino and Professor Elias, as well as, other students within the John Jay community – but only virtually.

I attended the American Society for Public Administration Annual Conference, which was held in Minneapolis. The theme of the conference this year was building resilience, and I presented “Gender Equity in the Workplace: A History of Building Resilience” on the Building Resilience through Inclusive Policies and Practices panel. ASPA gave me the chance to finally meet with Professor D’Agostino for the first time in person after almost 3 years! From this experience, I gained more knowledge into both local, national, and overall research in the field of Public Administration. This conference gave me a new, fresh perspective on what is possible to do with this degree upon graduation from the program.

I had the opportunity to present a research paper that identified and evaluated focusing events, legislation, and policies related to gender equity throughout history, starting from the Revolutionary War until today. While attending ASPA, I also sat in on various panels related to social, racial, economic, and gender equity and continued to widen my network both locally and nationally. One of the largest takeaways I had while attending ASPA was being exposed to the range of possibilities for my MPA degree upon graduation.

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About the author:

Margaret Milkulski is currently a Master of Public Administration student at John Jay College, CUNY where she holds a Fellowship with the Initiative for Gender Equity in the Public Sector. She is currently in Minnesota working as a social worker in a county jail providing mental health services to inmates.She has previous experience working in community corrections, research and policy, and mental health fields in Chicago and suburbs of the Twin Cities. She hopes to continue her work in the intersection of mental health and the criminal justice system.