Eleven San Bernardino County employees, who graduated from Cal State San Bernardino’s M.P.A. program, were recently honored by the county Board of Supervisors for their accomplishment.

The 11 students began the master’s program in the winter of 2014 and graduated last December, said Jonathan Anderson, chair of the public administration department at CSUSB.

“These students in the San Bernardino County Employee M.P.A. cohort worked full time for the county while taking two classes each quarter,” Anderson said. “This is a rigorous program of study, which requires a strong commitment and continual dedication.  Over 30 students began the process and these 11 were the ones who persevered.”

“We are all proud of them,” he said.

The graduates are:

  • Denise Barajas, supervising employment service specialist, I-Transitional Assistance Department;
  • Jorge Camacho, district manager, Transitional Assistance Department;
  • Valerie Croyle, supervising social service practitioner, Children and Family Services Department;
  • Abril (Heidi) Duran, supervising planner, Land Use Services Department;
  • Cathleen Farrar, child welfare services manager, Children and Family Services Department;
  • Magda Gonzalez, land use technician, Land Use Services Department;
  • Norma Meza, eligibility worker II, Transitional Assistance Department;
  • Daniel Perez, division chief, Disease Control, Department of Public Health;
  • Priscilla Ramos, social worker II, Department of Aging and Adult Services;
  • Katherine Robinson, social worker II, Children and Family Services Department; and
  • Jonathan Villalobos, disability retirement specialist, Board of Retirement.

The M.P.A. program provides students with a generalist perspective of public administration, including tools for decision-making, an understanding of the system of governance in the United States, and a capacity to work ethically and professionally in the public interest. The program offers a high quality education in public administration founded on public service values, especially the values of diversity, inclusiveness and democratic governance.

Visit the CSUSB Master of Public Administration website to learn more about it.

Set in the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino Mountains, CSUSB is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in inland Southern California. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015-2016, CSUSB serves more than 20,000 students each year and graduates about 4,000 students annually.

For more information about Cal State San Bernardino, contact the university’s Office of Strategic Communication at (909) 537-5007 and visit news.csusb.edu.