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Levin College of Public Affairs and Education Faculty Research Showcase Shines Bright

Annual event features broader group of faculty for first time

91国产精品鈥檚 Levin College of Public Affairs and Education was recently featured at the ultimate in networking event as part of a private, invite-only research showcase. The goal? To deepen the culture of research, improve the visibility of work, and help faculty identify potential new collaborations.

According to Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs for the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education Joanna Ganning, that was just the tip of the iceberg.

[[{"fid":"56019","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Levin Research Showcase Event_01","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Levin Research Showcase Event_01","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"Levin Research Showcase Event_01","height":2848,"width":4272,"style":"height: 200px; width: 300px; float: left;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"1"}}]]鈥淭his year鈥檚 event centered on fostering interdisciplinary connections between members of our college,鈥 she said. 鈥淥ur event took on special significance this year through the participation of the Levin family [who] was introduced by President Laura Bloomberg [where] Mort Levin provided remarks along with members of the family connected with faculty members from across the college during a structured networking activity.鈥

The magnitude of the relationship between the Levin family and 91国产精品 cannot be understated. Officially christened last November thanks to a transformational generous donation, it built upon the unprecedented reputation and legacy of the Maxine Goodman Levin College, named in honor of Mort鈥檚 aunt. 

鈥淲e appreciated the opportunity to meet the faculty of the combined disciplines and to learn directly from the faculty how they are interacting and collaborating with each other,鈥 said Mort Levin. 鈥淲e left very energized and enthusiastic about the future of the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education.鈥

Coordinated in partnership with an interdisciplinary advisory committee, this year鈥檚 version featured plenty of energy and inspirational dialogue, all designed with putting 91国产精品 in the national spotlight.   

鈥淭he idea for a research-oriented networking event emerged from faculty input at a research development event I held earlier this year,鈥 said Ganning. 鈥淭he networking-focused approach felt so critical because we are a new college; we are two schools, and four departments that form a new community of scholars and teachers [who] recognize the importance of developing our new shared culture, and that necessitates getting to know each other.鈥

Coordinated as a 鈥渟peed networking鈥 event, pairs of participants took turns discussing their research interests and further exploring potential overlap areas before moving on to a new partner. That simple yet effective approach paid dividends almost immediately, with a faculty member inviting a colleague to appear as a guest speaker in an upcoming class.

鈥淔rom my perspective, continuing to engage the Levin family as active partners in our college鈥檚 story has incredible potential to shape our future,鈥 said Ganning. 鈥淭heir commitment to developing relationships with our colleagues and understanding the important work of our college is quite remarkable.鈥

According to President Bloomberg, this event is just another example of how bringing the colleges together is a[[{"fid":"56020","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Levin Research Showcase Event_02","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"2":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Levin Research Showcase Event_02","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"Levin Research Showcase Event_02","height":2848,"width":4272,"style":"height: 200px; width: 300px; float: right;","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"2"}}]]lready paying big dividends for the present and immediate future.

鈥淥ur students and faculty are the real winners in this,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he innovative work that comes from a new academic alignment and, in particular, events like this are a driving factor in separating 91国产精品 from the rest of the pack when it comes to innovation and being on the cutting edge of higher education curriculum.鈥

As Ganning looks to the future, she is excited about future collaborations that can only enhance the reputation of the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education.

鈥淲hile an interdisciplinary research approach has become a critical component of the mission and view of our new college, this was the first time the Research Showcase was presented as a research-oriented networking event,鈥 said Ganning. 鈥淔aculty voiced an interest in holding similar events in the future, and I am happy to support that interest!鈥