On March 22, 2024 the School of Public Policy (SPP) hosted their 2024 Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) Induction Ceremony at The Lyceum in Hartford, CT. After a brief reception, PAA President Paula Norato and faculty advisor Professor Renzo de la Riva Agüero welcomed the inductees and their support systems to the evening. Forty-Three of SPP’s graduate students were in attendance for the ceremony, and fifty-five students joined PAA this year.
School Director Mohamad Alkadry introduced Keynote Speaker Mayor Arunan Arulampalam from Hartford, CT. Mayor Arulampalam highlighted the members of the SPP network that serve in his administration including his Deputy Chief of Staff Cristian Corza. Cristian holds both a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) and Masters of Arts in Survey Research (MASR) from SPP. The Mayor also praised the inductees for their dedication to public service during “these complicated times.”
MPA student Brianna Vig said,
…Being part of Pi Alpha Alpha not only signifies academic achievement but also a commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism in the realm of public administration. I am grateful for the opportunities this induction brings and excited to continue contributing to the advancement of the field.
Additionally, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Arunan Arulampalam for serving as our keynote speaker. His speech was truly inspiring, igniting a sense of passion and purpose within the audience, and offering invaluable insights that will undoubtedly resonate as we continue our endeavors in public administration.
To recognize their achievement, inductees received a PAA certificate, pin and a cord for graduation. The inductees then recited the PAA oath. A short business meeting was conducted to nominate the incoming board members at the end of the ceremony. This year’s board members include:
- President: Karen Hasterok, MPA Fellow ‘24
- Vice President: Ludwig Pulaski, MPA Fellow ’24.
- Treasurer—Beverne Cordner, MPA Fellow ‘22
- Secretary—Mekaila (Carey) Wilhelm, MPA ‘23
Congratulations to this year’s inductees! We look forward to seeing your impact!