NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE COLLEGE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

James Ruffin III, UBalt's First Second Chance Graduate, Celebrates the Completion of His Degree

James Ruffin III is the first graduate of The University of Baltimore's Second Chance College Program, housed in the College of Public Affairs. He received his degree during the University's Fall 2021 Commencement ceremony, held on Dec. 20.

Ruffin earned a B.A. in Human Services Administration, which he plans to use in his efforts to establish a nonprofit to assist those who are transitioning to life after prison. Ruffin began his degree while incarcerated at Jessup Correctional Institute, then continued his classes after he was released in 2019. He is the first person in the program to complete all credits toward his degree, earning honors along the way. He also worked full-time and managed family obligations. Now, he wants to give back to others.

Stephanie Suerth, M.P.A. Alum, Selected to Serve as Chairperson of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights

Alumna Stephanie Suerth, M.P.A. '19, has been selected to serve as Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners of the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights (MCCR). MCCR—which is governed by a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Maryland State Senate—works to protect against discrimination based on race, color, religion or creed, sex, age, ancestry or national origin, marital status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.

Suerth works as the Director of Special Projects in the Office of Accountability and Compliance at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.

Sister Helen Amos, RSM, Receives the 2020 William Donald Schaefer Award

In Nov. of 2021, Sister Helen Amos, RSM, executive chair of the board of trustees at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, was awarded the 2020 William Donald Schaefer Award during the Schaefer Center for Public Policy's annual policy conference. The award is presented annually to a public official who embodies the spirit of caring and commitment to the people of Baltimore and Maryland exhibited by William Donald Schaefer, former governor and state comptroller of Maryland, mayor of Baltimore, member of its City Council, and a lifelong public servant. "The pandemic delayed the presentation of the award in 2020, so it was such a pleasure to finally be able to present the award to Sister Helen," said Ann Cotten, director of the Schaefer Center. Cotten also expressed a special thanks to Jay Perman, M.D., University System of Maryland Chancellor, for presenting the award to Sister Helen on behalf of the Center.

Jeffrey Rhoades, Veteran Educator in School of Health and Human Services, Receives 2021 Adjunct Faculty Award

Jeffrey Rhoades, a veteran educator who teaches in the College of Public Affairs' School of Health and Human Services, has been named the winner of The University of Baltimore's 2021 Richard H. Bucher Adjunct Faculty Award. Since 2016, Rhoades has led courses in both the graduate and undergraduate programs in Health Management and Health Administration, focusing on key subjects such as health care management, epidemiology, and health systems management. Prof. Rhoades has decades of experience in these areas, and consistently earns high marks from his students.

The College of Public Affairs wishes you and yours a happy, healthy and abundant 2022!