Rebecca Walters, MAIPS ’10, has been appointed to the position of New Media Development Specialist for the Institute, succeeding Kristen Byers, with whom Rebecca has worked closely over the past several months. Rebecca has already demonstrated her skills in working with members of the web strategy team to develop clear and navigable content.  She is also the driving force behind MIIS-around-the-world, and the collection of compelling stories that promote the special ethos of MIIS. In addition to developing web content, Rebecca will chair the web strategy team, provide training in drupal to other content developers, serve as our liaison with the Middlebury web team, and work with Communications staff to ensure that our online presence tells a consistent story and helps to build the MIIS brand. She will also work with TLC/DMC staff to encourage innovation in the integration of digital media throughout the MIIS community.

We are also happy to report that Maureen Fura, MPA ’09, will be playing an expanded role, working with the TLC/DMC and  Communications staffs on a part-time basis, helping to create digital media content and build our brand.  With the rest of her time, Maureen will be working as a curriculum specialist  with Prof. Beryl Levinger to create a prototype curriculum for the public administration/project management track of the California Central Coast Public Service Corps (PSC). The PSC is a program designed to prepare students in their last two years of an undergraduate degree program to enter into public service in one of the following specialized areas: youth and service learning; homeland security; public administration and project management; and sustainable environment work. There are four institutions that are working collaboratively to launch the PSC: the Naval Postgraduate School; the Monterey College of Law;  California State University at Monterey Bay; and MIIS. Each institution is responsible for one curricular track.