Growing Interest from Students
May 1, 2022
By ICMA Student Chapter at FIU (ICMA@FIU) 2021-2022 Executive Board: Clara Alevy, Jephery Francis, Laura McCoy, Silvia Pereiro, Mia Plagmann, Genesis Rivera
Despite the challenges from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-2022 ICMA Student Chapter Executive Board at Florida International University (ICMA@FIU) was extraordinarily successful in introducing students to the ICMA organization and its national mission, as well as expanding external outreach to local public service professionals and national public administration organizations.
The ICMA at FIU Student Chapter expanded its initiatives to directly connect graduate and undergraduate students to local government opportunities and professional connections. In addition to starting the MPA Leadership Internship Program in partnership with City Managers from across South Florida, ICMA@FIU hosted three virtual Leadership Roundtables in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 with City Managers, Assistant City Managers, and other esteemed public administration professionals.
The MPA Leadership Internship Program offers students the opportunity to directly intern under local leaders and learn the demands of the role from city managers in South Florida, as well as build a strong network with local professionals. The program provides students with the necessary credits through 300 hours of applied practice and professional skills to excel beyond graduation.
The MPA Leadership Internship Program also provides the opportunity for ICMA credentialed managers to receive up to 20 hours of professional development as required by ICMA to maintain their credentials. The ICMA@FIU Executive Board has worked with the Town of Cutler Bay and the Village of Pinecrest on the first round of internships for MPA students, and continuously moves to expand the program to additional municipalities throughout South Florida. Simultaneously, the Leadership Roundtables serve to connect students directly to city managers and other high level public administrators, allowing them an opportunity to learn and interact with potential mentors and employers. These events created a mutually beneficial relationship between the FIU MPA Department and local civic leaders.
Other remarkable efforts by ICMA@FIU in 2021-2022 include:
Paneling and volunteering at the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) South Florida Chapter’s 2022 Best Practices Conference.
Presenting the ICMA@FIU Leadership Internship Program to the Florida City and County Management Association (FCCMA).
Collaborating in an internal capacity by drafting the first newsletter spearheaded by board members of ICMA@FIU, Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, and the FIU student-led nonprofit, Students Feeding Miami. The partnership of the newsletter led to the creation of the Intercollegiate Public Service Alliance (IPSA) for further collaborations.
Volunteering with Students Feeding Miami and FIU’s Student Government Organization by providing food donations to help with food insecurity in the greater Miami area.
Increasing the presence of ICMA@FIU’s social media platforms for relevant professional information, leadership elections, notable achievements, and more. You can follow us on LinkedIn by searching International City/County Management Association at Florida International University (ICMA@FIU).
Creating a WhatsApp group with MPA students for information about ICMA@FIU’s future activities, encouraging internship possibilities, and providing information on jobs.
Another example of these thriving connections is ICMA@FIU’s close partnership with the National Forum for Black Public Administrators (NFBPA). This partnership serves to link students with the NFBPA South Florida Chapter and its expanding network of professionals and significant professional development events. The many events, meetings, and activities held by the NFBA are accessible to FIU students and enhance their vision of public administration.
The ICMA@FIU Chapter looks forward to further expansions and collaborations with interested stakeholders. The success of this student-led organization can serve as a model for other university chapters to promote mutually beneficial partnerships with local ICMA leaders.