UMCA Webinars

Session Description:

In this session, we will brainstorm and apply public service values, explore ethics in a professional context and consider three types of reflection that we can implement within our workplaces.

Presenter Biography:

Angela Pool-Funai, Ph.D., has spent the bulk of her career in higher education. Unlike traditional colleagues who rose through the faculty ranks from graduate school, Dr. Funai became a faculty member after many years in a fulfilling career in staff and administration. She describes her toolkit to include experience in fiscal management, supervision, alumni relations and fundraising, strategic planning, accreditation, board development and grants administration.

Session Description:

This webinar explores federal agencies and administrative rulemaking. Participants gain insights into the roles of federal agencies and the Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, including the rulemaking timeline and real-world examples. Whether you're a policymaker or legal professional, this session offers valuable knowledge on governmental operations.

Presenter Biography:

Geoffrey L. Chestnut was born in Jacksonville, Ill. He received his undergraduate education at SUU. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and received a Juris Doctor degree from Arizona State University. In 2015, he was elected as mayor of Enoch and has served in this role since that time.

Session Description:

Do we ever feel like an object? With the requirements of reporting by a seemingly endless array of federal, state and local authorities, how do we see our work as a benefit to others? Join in and learn how to better understand the steps we can take to assist others to feel like a member of a productive team.

Presenter Biography:

Rob Dotson began his work in local government in 2005 as a city council member. Working in the private sector, he experienced the results of political decisions that educated him about the challenges inherent to this combination.

The opportunity arose in 2011 to work in the administrative side of local government as the Enoch City Manager. While working in the complex field of public administration, Rob earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Southern Utah University. With 12 years of management in business, 15 years of local government experience and additional training with FEMA and the Arbinger Institute, Rob is currently an adjunct professor at SUU in the MPA program, teaching Public Sector Economics.

Session Description:

 This course will focus on the various social media platforms (Facebook, Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Snapchat, Twitter and YouTube) and their impact on the role of clerks. Additionally, it will focus on the impact one’s personal social media platforms can have on one’s credibility and employment.

Presenter Biography:

 Jacqueline Russell has a passion for women’s and veterans’ initiatives, workforce development and process improvement. Since 2015, she has worked as the Business Manager for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at SUU.

Prior to moving to Cedar City, Jacqueline worked for the National Park Service at Capitol Reef National Park. She served ten years in the U.S. Army; six years as an active-duty officer in the Adjutant General Corps where she had the opportunity to take on several leadership roles and to deploy on a 15-month combat tour to Iraq and four years as an enlisted member in the Engineer Corps. Jacqueline completed her Master’s of Business Administration with a Human Resources concentration from Texas A&M - Central Texas in 2012. She is currently working on a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

Session Description:

Professional communication is clear, concise and correct. Learn how to master your writing skills to create highly professional emails and documents.

Presenter Biography:

Melanie Johnson joined the Leavitt Group in 2001 and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer. She began holding leadership positions in the company in 2004, and leads a team of talented marketing professionals who serve the Leavitt Group’s network of affiliated agencies and other business units as an in-house creative and marketing agency. In addition, Melanie guides the internal communications for the company, including sales culture promotion.

Melanie graduated summa cum laude from SUU with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in art. She received a New Century Graduate Writing Fellowship to Utah State University where she received a master’s degree in technical writing and professional communication.

Session Description:

We can either spend time or invest time working in our organizations. How do we, as individuals, help create a culture that makes a difference to our customers and our team members? Join in an open discussion about the challenges and tools that drive us to achieve great results.

Presenter Biography:

Rob Dotson began his work in local government in 2005 as a city council member. Working in the private sector, he experienced the results of political decisions that educated him about the challenges inherent to this combination. The opportunity arose in 2011 to work in the administrative side of local government as the Enoch City Manager. While working in the complex field of public administration, Rob earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Southern Utah University. With 12 years of management in business, 15 years of local government experience and additional training with FEMA and the Arbinger Institute, Rob is currently an adjunct professor at SUU in the MPA program, teaching Public Sector Economics.