Hello, Tarleton MPA Nation and all our Blog Readers:


I hope you all had a great, yet challenging, fall 2017.


The MPA program grew even more for spring 2018, and beyond, with four (4) of our students graduating, but almost 20 new students were admitted.


That is awesome.

Thank you all for putting the word out about our MPA program. Our reputation is growing and the demand is growing with it. In our new cadre of students we have several international students as well. Welcome.


By now, I hope you have all registered for spring 2018 courses. Or, you're thinking about joining our program. :)

We have full line up scheduled for spring, summer and fall 2018. If you're interested in joining the MPA nation at Tarleton, just let me know and I will be happy to visit with you about our program and applying for admission to TSU.

Great times ahead.


On behalf of Dr. Jackie Abernathy, our adjunct professors and I, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a very Happy, safe and prosperous New Year!


Dr. G. M. Cox
Director, MPA Program
gmcox@tarleton.edu
(817) 484-4395

Dr. Cox travels to Prague, Czech Republic and Cardiff, Wales

Hello everyone.

A group of TSU, School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies, profs ventured to Europe -- Prague, Czech Republic and Cardiff, Wales -- last week.

The visit had many objectives. First, we were participating in a symposium coordinated with University New York -- Prague and Tarleton State. You will see me in the picture delivering my presentation on "Crisis in Blue: Recruitment and Retention in the 21st Century."

Drs. Rhonda Dobbs, Tara Shelley, Eric Morrow, Chris Copeland and yours truly presented programs to distinguished academics, students and invited guests on a number of topics at the UNYP symposium to include a key note presentation by Dr. Copeland on Cyber Crime.

Drs. Shelley and Cox met with decision makers with UNYP to explore the possibility of offering the Tarleton MPA degree at the campus in Prague. The meeting was very positive and we will be further exploring the possibility -- opportunities abound if approved -- of taking our very respected program on the road to deliver to an international student population.

For more information on the symposium follow this link to an article posted by UNYP -- https://www.unyp.cz/news/unyp-hosted-first-crime-symposium.

Interestingly, not much sight seeing was done -- working way too hard -- but, we did have the opportunity to tour Prague Prison. It was a fascinating tour that included pre- and post-WWII Nazi occupation and post-Nazi periods, Russian Occupation. The prison was utilized to execute criminals and political prisoners. We saw the actual gallows and the guillotine that was utilized. A very sad and somber occasion.

Drs. Morrow and Shelley will be offering a "Study Abroad" opportunity in Prague summer of 2018. If you would be interested in going, let me, Dr. Shelley or Dr. Morrow know. I am sure they can make room for you.

Then, we transitioned to Cardiff, Wales to attend the European Society of Criminology Conference at Cardiff University.

Drs. del Carmen, Dobbs, Shelley, Copeland, and Butler presented. I attended numerous presentations by noted European and American criminologist. The group, pictured here, did get to see a beautiful campus -- old architecture with dragons everyone -- statues that is. The dragon is the symbol of Cardiff, Wales. Here I am in stocks inside Cardiff Castle.

The trip was a huge learning opportunity for me. I say some beautiful places and experienced a great deal of the culture of the Czech Republic, Wales and Spain -- we spent a night in the Center City of Madrid. Awesome place with over 3.1 million people living there.

Dr. G M. Cox, Asst. Professor

Director, MPA Program

Dr. Cox in the Stocks inside Cardiff Castle



Good afternoon, MPAs and others interested people.

The Tarleton MPA program is growing fast -- started in 2015 with just under 20 students, offering 3 course to over 115 students offering 17 courses -- online and face-to-face -- fall 2017.

The program will offer over 20 courses in spring 2018.

We have grown from one full time assistant professor to two full time assistant professors and 7 adjunct faculty. To accommodate the increased enrollment, the School of Criminology, Criminal Justice and Strategic Studies has added another full-time professor exclusively for the MPA program. Dr. Jacqueline H. Abernathy has a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Management from the University of North Texas and has been teaching in this field since 2010. Moreover, Dr. Abernathy brings over 12 years of practical experience working with non-profits, governments and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Dr. Abernathy represents one such NGO at the United Nations and hopes to include students heavily in her research agenda.

Please, spread the word, our MPA is a core based public administration program that is focused on making our students successful both educationally and professionally.

You are our best recruiters.

We have several interesting opportunities that we are pursuing -- the opportunity to offer our MPA degree in Prague, Czech Republic, which might also allow for a summer Study Abroad program and proposing a B.S. in Public Administration at the RELLIS campus of Texas A & M.

Our Motto: All communities deserve great leadership.

Again, welcome back! We are delighted that you chose Tarleton for your MPA and look forward to another successful semester.

Dr. GM Cox
Asst. Professor
Director, MPA Program
Tarleton State University