JMU - Our Faculty
Our Graduate Assistants
Natalie Abel, Graduate Assistant
Email: abelnr@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2107 Miller Hall
Natalie Abel graduated from James Madison University in May, 2012 with a B.A. in Media, Arts and Design with a Corporate Communication concentration and a Computer Information Systems minor. She spent five years on the James Madison University women's volleyball team, where she developed a passion for teamwork, industriousness, and drive, which she now carries over into the Masters of Public Administration program. She will earn her MPA with an individualized concentration that focuses on information technology in the public sector. Upon completion of the program in May of 2014, she seeks to obtain a position in computer information systems, technology consulting, web development, and related fields.
Vanja Basaric, Graduate Assistant
Email: basarivx@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2107 Miller Hall
Vanja is a second year student in the MPA program. She received her bachelor’s degree in public policy and administration with a concentration in management from James Madison University. Vanja currently works as a graduate assistant in the political science department and conducts research for MPA faculty on various public administration topics. Her specific research interests include environmental regulatory policy, economic development, and urban planning. Vanja spent last summer working for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of the Administrator as a public engagement intern. During her internship Vanja was responsible for stakeholder outreach and worked to maintain a positive image for the US EPA. Vanja also has experience on Capitol Hill as a summer intern and has worked with various grassroots organizations in campaigning for comprehensive clean energy legislation.
Currently, Vanja is working with MPA faculty on conducting research to explore governance in non–profit organizations. She hopes to obtain a job in the Washington D.C. area where she can utilize the knowledge and skills she acquired from the MPA program.
Julia Harrison, Graduate Assistant
Email: harri3je@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2107 Miller Hall
Julia Harrison received her B.A. in Theology (cum laude) from Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY in 2007 in which she concentrated on social justice and ethics. She then completed her M.A. in Archaeology, the Bible, and Ancient Cultures from The University of Sheffield in Sheffield, UK in 2008, but immediately felt a disconnect from the world of ancient history and came back to the states to pursue a career serving others in the human services field. She started her career as a Support Coordinator for the City of Virginia Beach’s Department of Human Services, serving intellectually disabled children and adults, and has also worked as a foster care social worker for Harrisonburg Rockingham Social Services District here in Harrisonburg, VA.
Ms. Harrison’s current research interests include economic development, fiscal management for social welfare programs, community capacity building, and ethics in public administration. Upon graduation in December 2013, Ms. Harrison hopes to remain in the area and use her newly acquired skills in Public and Nonprofit Management to implement meaningful changes in the Harrisonburg community.
Grady Hart, Graduate Assistant
Email: hartgw@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2107 Miller Hall
Grady Hart graduated from JMU in December 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Affairs and Political Science, with special focus on the Latin American region. A current MPA student concentrating in International NGO Management, Grady has interned at the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank and been involved in community development and engagement projects in Harrisonburg since beginning his undergraduate education in the fall of 2009.
Special areas of interest include international relations, community development, micro–finance, and the U.S. political system. Upon graduation from the MPA program in December 2013, Grady hopes to find employment in micro–level development work in or pertaining to Latin America.
Gwen Murtha, Graduate Assistant
Email: murthaga@dukes.jmu.edu | Cell Phone: (757) 650–1477 | Office: 2107 Miller Hall
Prior to attending JMU, Gwen served in the Army Reserves while working on her B.S. in Communication. She graduated with a 3.69 in 2008. After a few years of working in the private sector she decided to return to public service and applied to the MPA program. She interned for the non–profit Virginia Clean Cities for a year, and is currently seeking employment.
Her research interests include environmental sustainability, resource management, renewable energy, and collaboration. Other interests include gender stereotypes, and gender issues. She hopes to find a job in local government, preferably in a planning department. Her long term goals include becoming head of a department.
Tyler Rines, Graduate Assistant
Email: rinestk@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2107 Miller Hall
Tyler is New England native and grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Before coming to JMU Tyler earned his B.A. in sociology, summa cum laude, from Keene State College in 2012. While earning his undergraduate degree, Tyler served as the Chairperson of the KSC Student Assembly (a role similar to Speaker of the House), as a Student Government Representative, Research Assistant in KSC’s Sociology Department, and President of his campus’s chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta, the International Sociology honor society.
Tyler’s research interests include: public affairs and intergovernmental relations, social and urban policy, environmental stewardship and advocacy, economic and community development, and fundraising and philanthropy. After attaining his MPA, Tyler plans on working in a communications, operations, or development capacity in the public sector or for a policy–centered nonprofit organization. For more information about Tyler’s research, interests, and experience you can visit his LinkedIn, about.me, and academia.edu pages, or view his resume.
Courtland Robinson, Graduate Assistant
Email: robin3ca@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2103 Miller Hall
Courtland Robinson graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011 with a B.S. in Urban Planning and Regional Development. Following graduation, Courtland began an exceptionally rewarding internship with Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance (HDR) where he assisted in Downtown Harrisonburg's application for the Great American Main Street Award by completing a Downtown Business Directory. While at HDR, he piloted a service learning project with Bridgewater College, implemented a downtown market survey, and updated commercial real estate listings in the municipal site–selector database.
Courtland’s first semester at JMU was dedicated to evaluating best practices, structure, and successes of economic development organizations in Virginia. Currently, he works with the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, working with both staff and committee members to increase capacities that will benefit the Shenandoah Valley. Courtland’s MPA will continue to focus on regional economic development, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and cross-sector collaboration.
Nicholas Steinbrecher, Graduate Assistant
Email: steinbnd@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2103 Miller Hall
Nicholas Steinbrecher graduated from the Ohio State University in 2008 with a B.A. in Political Science and a B.A. in Sociology. He is currently working with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County as the on–site liaison Graduate Assistant. He focuses on recruitment and volunteer management with the agency.
Nicholas has aspirations to become a nonprofit program manager or volunteer coordinator upon graduation in Spring 2013.
Alex Templeton, Graduate Assistant
Email: templ2ar@dukes.jmu.edu | Office: 2103 Miller Hall
Alex Templeton graduated from James Madison University with a B.S. in public policy and administration, summa cum laude, in May 2012. While an undergraduate at JMU, Alex was a member of the Sigma Alpha Lambda honors fraternity and a research assistant within the Department of Political Science. Alex is currently working as a graduate assistant with the Applied Evaluation and Research Team and Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Harrisonburg–Rockingham County. He focuses on database management pursuant to research interests. Additionally, Alex is collaborating on several independent research ventures with faculty members within the department.
Alex’s current research interests include sustainable economic development, fiscal resource allocation, and evaluation and performance methodologies. After attaining his MPA, Alex hopes to find a job with a leading sustainable development think tank or nonprofit organization. View Alex’s resume.
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