IU Northwest, Ivy Tech announce Public Affairs Month events
‘Demystifying Government’ is theme of events taking place at various Lake, Porter County locations throughout April
Monday Apr 02, 2018
Indiana University Northwest’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and Center for Urban and Regional Excellence (CURE) is collaborating with Ivy Tech Community College on a series of free events about public affairs and ways local citizens can get involved. The events will take place throughout April.
With the theme of “Demystifying Government,” IU Northwest’s Public Affairs Month activities welcome multiple law enforcement and government representatives who will discuss topics ranging from health care and the environment, to exploring careers in criminal justice, and civic responsibility.
Joseph Gomeztagle, visiting lecturer and Public Affairs Month organizer, said this year’s lineup of events is one of the largest since the event’s inception.
The lineup includes:
Wednesday, April 11
Careers in Criminal Justice
10:30 to 11:45 p.m., Bruce W. Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center, IU Northwest
Attendees will learn more about careers in the criminal justice field from:
Kimberly Collins, U.S. Postal Inspector, Chicago Division
- A recruiter at the Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Kellie Bittorf, executive director, Lake County Community Corrections
Thursday, April 12
Opening Day for “Demystifying Government: Lake County Law Enforcement”
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lake County Government Center Auditorium, Crown Point
The day’s speakers, and their topics, include:
Oscar Martinez, Lake County Sheriff’s Office
- Alfred Villarreal, Drug Interdiction
- Michael Stewart, Criminal Investigations Division
- Dan Murchek, Deputy Commander, Marine Unit
- Randy Phillips, Aviation Unit
- Jessica Patelas, Animal Control
Keynote Speaker: Thomas Kirsch II, U.S. District Attorney for Northern District of Indiana
A tour of the Lake County Jail and correctional department will take place after the event. To RSVP for the tour, or the students-only crime lab tour, call Joseph Gomeztagle at 219-981-4288. Space is limited. Both tours depart from the government center.
Monday, April 16
Panel Discussion: American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE)
4:30 to 6 p.m., Bruce W. Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center, IU Northwest
Join representatives from the ACHE for a discussion about talent management. Continuing education unit (CEU) credits available.
Thursday, April 19
Panel discussion on the environment
10 to 2 p.m., Auditorium, Ivy Tech Community College, Valparaiso
The following professionals will discuss the implications of environmental issues on business, including the East Chicago, Ind. lead crisis.
Debbie (Musiker) Chizewer, Montgomery Environmental Law Fellow, Environmental Advocacy Center, Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
- Kalim Shah, assistant professor of environmental policy, IU Northwest
- Subir Bandyopadhyay, professor of marketing, IU Northwest
Friday, April 20
Keynote Address: Your Civic Responsibilities
Noon to 12:45 p.m., Bruce W. Bergland Auditorium, Savannah Center, IU Northwest
Sheila Suess Kennedy, professor of law and public policy, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, will discuss the importance of being an involved citizen in one’s society and what duties active citizenship entails.
Thursday, April 26
Demystifying Government: Lake County
10 to 2 p.m., Lake County Government Center, Crown Point
The day’s speakers, and their topics, include:
Mike Repay, Lake County Commissioner, 3rd District
- Jerome Prince, Lake County Assessor
- Peggy Katona, Lake County Treasurer
- John Petalas, Lake County Auditor
For more information on Public Affairs Month events at IU Northwest, Ivy Tech Community College, or the Lake or Porter County Government Centers, contact Joseph Gomeztagle at 219-981-4288 or jgomezta@iun.edu.
Friday, April 27
Forum on Child Abuse and Neglect
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Theater at the Arts & Sciences Building
Capping off Public Affairs Month is a daylong exploration into the problem of child abuse and neglect and what community partners across the region are doing to impact public policy and more to combat this widespread problem.
For information about this event, contact Marsheila Harris at 219-981-5630 or mdharris@iun.edu.