无码专区

There is still much to learn about how to effectively handle a health crisis. Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, three 无码专区 students took on this topic at a virtual competition, presenting on the skills critical to success in public service positions.

Amir Fralin 鈥�26 MPA (pictured), Rafe Kuhls 鈥�27 MPA and Jeffrey Touzin 鈥�26 CLAS participated in the 2025 Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) Simulation Competition, which brings together students from colleges and universities around the world to tackle real challenges in the field of public service. NASPAA is a nonprofit association with 300 member schools that award degrees in public administration, public policy, public affairs, nonprofit and related fields.

The competition is designed to help students bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical application, and this year it centered around managing a global pandemic, a scenario that tested participants鈥� crisis management, decision-making and communication skills under immense pressure.

鈥淚t was amazing how we had to collaborate and make decisions with each other, even when the stakes were high and time was limited,鈥� says Fralin, who was part of a winning team of eight students at the virtual site hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington/University of Texas at Dallas.

鈥淚t showed me how important it is to support neighboring regions and communicate effectively during a crisis,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 thought it was very timely because we just came out of a real-life situation. The experience enhanced my understanding of preparing for a pandemic, especially when it comes to balancing communication with constituents and managing resources.鈥�

Touzin, an undergraduate Public Administration major, said the challenge pushed him outside his comfort zone and highlighted the simulation鈥檚 emphasis on teamwork and adaptability.

鈥淭he NASPAA competition really deepened my understanding of public administration, especially when it comes to crisis management and decision-making under pressure,鈥� Touzin says. 鈥淚t showed me how complex and interconnected decisions are during a public health crisis, where every choice has ripple effects across communities. I gained a better appreciation for the importance of collaboration between different sectors and stakeholders, and how vital clear communication and ethical leadership are in high-stakes situations.鈥�

Kuhls, who is pursuing his MPA part-time while working fulltime in government administration, found the team dynamics to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the competition.

鈥淧ublic administration is a team sport,鈥� he says. 鈥淥ne person could not possibly make the most informed decisions about a population they serve. They may believe they know what's best in a given situation, but without consultation from a trusted team, mistakes can be all too common.鈥�

He continues, 鈥淚 am thankful for 无码专区's decision to nominate me for this experience, and just being part of such a great team has certainly affected how I build teams in my professional life.鈥�

The students鈥� participation is a testament to their dedication to learning, adaptability and collaboration鈥攓ualities that will undoubtedly serve them well as public service professionals.