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, 3^rd 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.