Three colleagues at the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration consider: what will it be like when more and more of us find our way back to the office? This discussion explored the personal, team, and organizational dynamics that leaders should consider as their remote teams transition back to in-person work.

Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), hosted this March 17, 2021 conversation with Jennifer Daniels, a Ph.D. student in the Biden School and the past Associate Director of the University of Delaware’s Office of Equity and Inclusion, and Kathy Murphy, IPA Associate Director and Coordinator of the Conflict Resolution Program.

This episode continues the Future of Remote Work series presented through IPA’s First State Insights podcast. This series of articles and interviews seeks to shed light on remote work trends; explore implications for businesses, communities, and policymakers; and spur conversations aimed at making this emerging reality work well for Delaware.

For more on IPA's Conflict Resolution Program, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/crp. For the latest in IPA's Future of Remote Work series, search for remote work articles on IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) and visit the Future of Remote Work playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/future-of-remote-work).

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Back to the Office

Richard Hall, General Manager of the New Castle County Department of Land Use, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the County's ongoing comprehensive plan update, planning implications resulting from real estate trends, and the future of land development and transportation in New Castle County. During this February 25, 2021 interview, Rich discusses how trends in the real estate sector are impacting the County's approach to planning and what it might mean for the future of the County's built environment. 

To learn more about the Department of Land Use in New Castle County, visit https://www.nccde.org/2135/Land-Use. For more information on the County's comprehensive plan update, including upcoming events and public participation opportunities, visit https://ncc2050-nccde.hub.arcgis.com/. Those interested in learning more about the importance and process of planning in New Castle County can access a Planning 101 course developed by IPA and NCCLU at https://canvas.instructure.com/enroll/999BFE.

This episode is presented as part of the "Emerging Development Trends in Delaware" series, featuring interviews with planning and real estate professionals working across Delaware. These conversations consider how the pandemic has directly impacted real estate development and land use in the region and how these trends may play out in the future. Listen to episodes in the series at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/emerging-development-trends.

Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Comprehensive Planning in New Castle County, Delaware

Cliff Grunstra, Chief Marketing Officer for the Delmarva Central Railroad, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the role of shortline railroads on Delmarva. 

Cliff has more than a decade of experience in the railroad industry, including working for Carload Express, Inc. (CEI) since 2015.  The Delmarva Central Railroad Company (DCR), a subsidiary of CEI, operates 188 miles of rail line in Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia and is managed locally from offices in Harrington, Delaware. Visit carloadexpress.com for more details on CEI and DCR infrastructure and operations.

Topics covered in this June 14, 2021 interview include the role of shortline railroad operations in freight movement, upgrades to rail infrastructure on Delmarva, and opportunities to leverage rail for economic development.   

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO.

To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA. 

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Shortline Rail on Delmarva

Patricia Porter, Founder and President of Conflict Connections, speaks with Danielle Vota and Ruth Decosse, conflict resolution practitioners at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the crucial leadership skill of conflict management.
 
Topics covered in this interview include what conflict management is and how it differs from conflict resolution, why it's essential for leaders, and how leaders and organizations can embrace a conflict-competent culture.
 
Patricia has spent the past 27 years facilitating team dialogues, coaching leaders, and training leadership teams in various settings, including federal and state agencies, higher education institutions, the private sector, and large family businesses globally. Patricia earned her Master's of Social Work degree from Delaware State University and is a licensed clinical social worker in Texas. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation, a Certified Virtual Facilitator with INIFAC, and an Advanced Practitioner with the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). To learn more about Patricia Porter and shop for her books "Stop the Dreaded Drama: 55 Tips for Ending Destructive Conflict" and "Stop Avoiding Conflict: Learn to Address Disputes Before They Erupt," please visit www.conflictconnections.com.

First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. This episode was produced by IPA's Conflict Resolution Program—a resource dedicated to building statewide capacity for collaborative approaches to resolving conflict. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to all First State Insights episodes at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Conflict Management: The Most Underrated Leadership Skill

Kim Book, Founder and Executive Director of the nonprofit Victims’ Voices Heard, speaks with Danielle Vota and Ruth Decosse, conflict resolution practitioners at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about why restorative justice matters.

Topics covered in this interview include Kim’s personal story of how she transformed the painful experience of her daughter’s murder into a program that creates opportunities to heal for both victims and offenders. She shares how the program works, what it is like for a victim and offender to meet face-to-face, and how restorative justice practices can reduce recidivism.

Kim is responsible for Delaware’s statewide Victim-Offender Dialogue Program. Since 2002, Kim has helped thousands of victims and offenders in Delaware. Her organization has also played a significant role in reducing recidivism rates amongst offenders. To learn more about Kim Book and her nonprofit, please visit www.victimsvoicesheard.org.

First State Insights is a podcast presented by IPA. This episode was produced by IPA's Conflict Resolution Program—a resource dedicated to building statewide capacity for collaborative approaches to resolving conflict. Learn more about IPA at ipa.udel.edu, and listen to all First State Insights episodes at soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Why Restorative Justice Matters

Dr. Victor Perez, Associate Professor with the University of Delaware's Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about ongoing pandemic response and recovery efforts from a sociological perspective. Topics examined include childcare's critical role in supporting workers and families and how the pandemic exacerbated the disproportionate health outcomes experienced in historically marginalized communities.

Dr. Perez specializes in environmental justice, health and illness, and the sociology of risk. A unifying theme throughout his career is the entwined configuration of health, risk, and society, with a focus on environmental and health issues through constructionist and social justice frameworks. For more on his work, visit https://sites.udel.edu/victorp/.

IPA presents this October 25, 2021 interview as part of its First State Insights podcast and the Visions of Recovery series. This series seeks to shed light on opportunities for community, economic, and social recovery from the pandemic by engaging experts and advocates in conversations on five important questions:
1) What's one thing you think will be changed for good after the pandemic? 
2) What's one thing you hope will change?
3) What needs to happen for this change to occur?
4) What are you doing to make it happen?
5) How can folks get involved?

For the latest in the Visions of Recovery series, consult IPA's news feed (www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/about/news) or visit the series playlist on SoundCloud (soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/sets/visions-of-recovery). To learn more about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Visions of Recovery: A Sociological Perspective

Khary DeWitt, President of Mountaineer Logistics, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his company’s entry into the logistics sector. Topics covered in this February 24, 2022 interview include Mountaineer Logistics’ mission and lines of business; the dynamics of operating a logistics company during the COVID-19 pandemic; and future plans for the company and its role in the community. 

Khary launched Mountaineer Logistics after a career in finance and banking that included working in multiple managerial and leadership roles for JP Morgan Chase and MBNA.  Mountaineer Logistics is a purpose-driven company that provides courier, distribution, and freight management services. Based in Delaware, the Mountaineer Logistics team aspires to improve the quality of lives in the communities that they work and live in by providing world-class delivery services in socially and environmentally responsible ways. To track the efforts of Khary and the Mountaineer Logistics team, browse to https://mountaineerlogistics.com/.

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO.

To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for information on IPA.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Spotlighting Mountaineer Logistics

Sal Mercogliano, host of the Youtube show "What’s Going On With Shipping?”, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about the state of maritime shipping as we navigate our way out of both the pandemic and a supply chain crisis. Topics covered in this April 21, 2022 interview include major takeaways from the recent groundings of the container ships Ever Given and Ever Forward and the need to raise the visibility of the maritime industry in the United States. 

Sal Mercogliano is an Associate Professor at Campbell University and the Chairperson of the Department of History, Criminal Justice and Political Science. He’s a graduate of the State University of New York Maritime College and a former merchant marine.  He also earned an MA in Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology from East Carolina University and a Ph.D. in Military and Naval History at the University of Alabama.  In addition to his Youtube show, he is a frequent contributor to the industry news sites gCaptain and Freightwaves. To track Sal’s work, follow him on Twitter (https://twitter.com/mercoglianos) or check out his YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/c/WhatisGoingonWithShippingwSalMercogliano).

This episode is a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO.

To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit wilmapco.org/Delmarva. Visit ipa.udel.edu for details on IPA.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Making Sense of Maritime Shipping

Gabby Leri, Elise Hance, and Ruth Crump speak with Julia O'Hanlon, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about their shared experiences through Lori's Hands. This May 24, 2022 interview addresses students' career interests and what they've learned by volunteering with Lori's Hands; intergenerational learning and relationship-building opportunities; and the importance of social connections while dealing with chronic illness.

Established in Newark, Delaware in 2009, Lori's Hands builds mutually beneficial partnerships between community members with chronic illness and college students, fostering empathy, connection, and resilience. To learn more about the work at Lori's Hands, visit https://lorishands.org/.

As a Policy Scientist at the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Julia O'Hanlon leads research and public service programs focused on health policy, including an ongoing focus on senior center programming and aging in place (https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/serving-delaware/health). For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

A Service Learning Snapshot

Tim Gibbs and Dr. Omar Khan of the Delaware Academy of Medicine/Delaware Public Health Association (https://delamed.org/) speak about connections among health, housing, and place with Julia O’Hanlon and Sean O’Neill, Policy Scientists at the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration. Topics covered in this August 22, 2022 conversation include the function of housing and place as social determinants of health, the importance of collaboration among housing, medical, and planning professionals, and the focus and value of resources provided through the Delaware Journal of Public Health (https://delamed.org/initiatives/delaware-journal-of-public-health/).

Mr. Gibbs is the executive director of the Delaware Academy of Medicine / Delaware Public Health Association and publisher of the Delaware Journal of Public Health. A native Delawarean, he attended Wilmington Friends School, then Earlham College.  He later became certified in nonprofit management from the University of Delaware and earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from Arcadia University.

Dr. Khan is co-chair of the Delaware Public Health Association Advisory Council and serves as President & CEO of the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA), a consortium of Christiana Care Health System, Thomas Jefferson University, Nemours, and the University of Delaware.  He is also a practicing physician interested in general primary care, medical education, outcomes research infrastructure, and global health.

The Institute for Public Administration is a research and public service center in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration at the University of Delaware. For more information, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Housing, Place, and Health Outcomes

Dan Shortridge, the author of DIY Public Relations, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about how communications professionals and organizations should tell their stories and generate publicity for their work. 

Dan Shortridge is a communications and marketing consultant and author with more than 20 years of experience in local public relations and daily journalism. He's led communications for state and local government agencies and helped support small businesses and nonprofits. Before moving into public service, he worked for 11 years as a reporter, editor, and designer at newspapers in Delaware, Maryland, and Ohio. In addition to authoring DIY Public Relations, he's the co-author of three local-interest books about Delaware and Delmarva. To learn more about Dan and his work, visit http://danshortridge.com/. 

This episode was recorded on October 6, 2022 for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

DIY Public Relations

Allison Taylor Levine, president and founder of the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware and vice president for marketing and communications at the Delaware Community Foundation, speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the importance of local news and information for our communities and efforts Allison is orchestrating to reinvigorate local journalism in Delaware. This interview covers the state of local journalism in Delaware, the types of local news and information that Delawareans need, and current programs and plans for the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware.

Allison is passionate about democracy, journalism, and community – especially in Delaware. After starting her career as a reporter at several newspapers, including The News Journal, Allison has spent the past 20 years in various communications and community leadership roles in Delaware. In 2021, Allison founded the Local Journalism Initiative of Delaware (https://ljidelaware.org/). LJI currently operates an internship program to deepen the pipeline of local reporters from historically underrepresented communities; leads the Delaware Journalism Collaborative; and is working to launch Spotlight Delaware, a new collaborative nonprofit newsroom to empower Delawareans with information about the impact of public policy issues and strengthen our overall news and information ecosystem.

This episode was recorded on March 20, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.
Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Spotlighting Local Journalism

Archie Campbell, Mayor of the City of Milford, Delaware, speaks with Julia O’Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the challenges and opportunities that led to his Delaware residency, a public service calling, and plans to retire in Milford. This interview covers Mayor Campbell’s personal and professional background and his perspectives on Milford’s changing population. 

This episode was recorded on May 12, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

From Wall Street to Main Street: Mayor Archie Campbell’s Journey

Jonathan Knopf, Executive Director for Programs at Housing Forward Virginia, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about developing and leading affordable housing efforts in Virginia. This conversation covers the motivation for and history behind the founding of Housing Forward Virginia and the steps the organization has taken to address the challenge of promoting and developing affordable housing in Virginia.

To learn more about Housing Forward Virginia visit https://housingforwardva.org/. Housing Forward Virginia’s 2022 housing study is available for review at https://housingforwardva.org/focused-initiatives/hb854-statewide-housing-study/. To review the FrameWorks Institute’s work on framing conversations about affordable housing, visit https://www.frameworksinstitute.org/issues/housing/.

This episode was recorded on March 29, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). 
For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Housing Forward Virginia

Ed O'Donnell, Senior Fellow at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), joins his IPA colleague Julia O'Hanlon to share insights on changes to Delaware's landscapes and demographics observed over a decades-long career focused on land use and infrastructure issues. As a retired, part-time staff member with IPA, Ed offers his perspectives on what makes Delaware an attractive place to live, work, play, and age. This interview covers Ed's professional background and his reflections on Delaware's demographic and development trends, with a focus on the connections between land use planning and aging in place.
 
This episode was recorded on June 5, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.
IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Lessons Learned in Land Use and Aging in Place

Scott Schuster, Delaware's Farm to School Coordinator, speaks with Julia O’Hanlon, policy scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his role in supporting community access to local foods and Delaware's agricultural providers. Topics covered during this interview include Delaware's Farm to School program and the Farm to Community pilot program, the role of the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy, and the health, quality of life, and economic benefits associated with local food procurement partnerships.

This episode was recorded on September 12, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Delaware's Farm to School Program

Doug Motley, Managing Principal at Jack Lingo Asset Management and current Vice Chair of the State of Delaware's Council on Housing, speaks with Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about developing housing in Delaware. Topics covered during this interview include Doug's background, the development work he has been involved with over the past two decades, and some of the recent changes he has observed in the housing industry.

Visit https://www.jlamre.com/ for more about Jack Lingo Asset Management. To learn more about the Council on Housing, visit http://www.destatehousing.com/DirectorsOffice/council.php.

This episode was recorded on September 19, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights/ or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Housing Development in Sussex County

James Pethokoukis, senior fellow and DeWitt Wallace Chair at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), speaks with Troy Mix, associate director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his 2023 book, The Conservative Futurist: How to Create the Sci-Fi World We Were Promised (https://www.aei.org/research-products/book/the-conservative-futurist/). In this book, Mr. Pethokoukis advocates for embracing an “upwing” mindset to public policy that spurs innovation while ensuring economic security and broad quality of life improvements. This interview explores the importance of technological progress, the perils of downwing thinking, and the possibilities for public policy reform to chart a more upwing future.

As a Senior Fellow at AEI (https://www.aei.org/), Mr. Pethokoukis analyzes US economic policy, writes and edits the AEIdeas blog (https://www.aei.org/aeideas/), and hosts AEI’s Political Economy podcast (https://www.aei.org/tag/political-economy-podcast/). He is also a contributor to CNBC and writes the Faster, Please! ( https://fasterplease.substack.com/) newsletter on Substack.

This episode was recorded on November 6, 2023, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Toward an Upwing Future

Alison Cusack, Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about everything from maritime law and how she started in the industry to her new book, A Short History of Maritime, and her firm's digital comic book series, Container Jack, which mixes a dose of entertainment with education about the shipping industry.

Alison Cusack is the Founder and Principal Lawyer of Cusack & Co Pty Ltd (https://www.cusackandco.com.au/), an innovative and forward-thinking maritime law firm based in Melbourne, Australia. In addition to her career as a maritime lawyer, Alison is the immediate past President of the Australian chapter of the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association. She was recently ranked #58 on AllAboutShipping's Top 100 Women in Shipping List for 2023. She's a former Lecturer at Victoria University and the mastermind behind Propel Forward, a shipping 101 course she runs through Cusack & Co Academy. 

In 2023, Alison authored A Short History of Maritime: A cheat's guide for landlubbers and the landlocked, which is available for purchase on Amazon ( https://www.amazon.com/Short-History-Maritime-landlubbers-landlocked-ebook/dp/B0CK4NWY2M). Connect with Alison and Cusack & Co via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-cusack/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cusack_and_co/), and TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@theshippinglawyer). 

This episode was recorded on November 7, 2023, as a special #FreightFriday edition of First State Insights made possible by the Delmarva Freight Working Group—an ongoing transportation planning and economic development partnership coordinated by IPA, the Delaware Department of Transportation, and Delaware's three Metropolitan Planning Organizations: the Dover/Kent County MPO, the Salisbury/Wicomico MPO, and WILMAPCO. To learn more about the Delmarva Freight Working Group, visit http://www.wilmapco.org/goodsmovement/. 

For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Maritime History and Comic Books with The Shipping Lawyer

Tom DeWire, Founder and Principal Consultant of EdScale, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his 2023 book, "How To Implement (just about) Anything: Lessons from 25 years in public education." This interview covers Tom's perspectives on the importance of and challenges associated with implementation, along with his lessons for driving and sustaining change in complex systems.

Through his work at EdScale, LLC (https://edscalellc.com/), Tom helps educators get better results through a relentless focus on implementation. Tom earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. Before founding EdScale in 2016, Tom worked on systems change efforts in Baltimore City Public Schools and led consulting engagements at the U.S. Education Delivery Institute.  

Tom is the author of "How To Implement (just about) Anything: Lessons from 25 years in public education," which is available for purchase on Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/How-Implement-just-about-Anything/dp/B0CKLW6C14). To complete the implementation health quiz referenced in the book and this episode, visit https://edscale.scoreapp.com/. 

This episode was recorded on January 23, 2024, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

How To Implement (just about) Anything

Talla Cissé and Dr. Saloum Cissé, co-founders of the Foundation for a Healthier Senegal (FOHSEN), speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about their efforts to enhance maternal and child health outcomes in rural Senegal through local health initiatives and fundraising. This interview covers their motives for founding FOHSEN, the challenges they’ve faced as a father-son team, and their hopes for the future of FOHSEN and improved health in rural Senegal.

Talla Cissé is a mixed-methods researcher focused on ending inequities in communities across West and Central Africa. He holds a master’s in International Policy from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Delaware’s Biden School of Public Policy and Administration. 

Dr. Cissé is a family physician who completed residencies in family medicine and preventive medicine at the Morehouse School of Medicine. He also earned a Master of Public Health from the Morehouse School at Emory University.

To track their work through the Foundation for a Healthier Senegal, visit FOHSEN’s website (https://fohsen.org/) and follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FoundationForHealthierSenegal/), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fohsen_/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthiersenegal/), and YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7pOnkPqrC_Oh4O6vWkcg9g).

This episode was recorded on July 10, 2024, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.
Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.


Building a Healthier Senegal

Professors Calin Hintea and Maria Aristigueta speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about challenges facing democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and the United States, the importance and evolution of relationships among countries in this region and the U.S., and potential roles for engaged universities and public administration programs to strengthen these relationships while bolstering democracy. 

Professor Hintea is the Dean of the College of Political, Administrative, and Communication Sciences at Babes Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania (https://www.ubbcluj.ro/en/facultati/stiinte_politice_administrative_si_ale_comunicarii). He teaches strategy and management courses and has extensive experience working with public and private organizations on strategy development topics. He is the chair of the Accreditation Committee of the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation, senior editor of the Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences, and former president of The Network of Institutes and Schools of Public Administration in Central and Eastern Europe (https://www.nispa.org/).

Maria Aristigueta, Emerita, was the Founding Dean of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration and Charles P. Messick Chair of Public Administration at the University of Delaware.  She was a Fulbright Scholar at Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj, Romania and at the University of Salerno, Italy.  She is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and a past-president of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and a past-member of the Executive Council of Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA).  

To learn more about the interplay of universities, communities, and democracy, review articles from a 2024 special issue of the Transylvanian Review of Administrative Sciences (https://doi.org/10.24193/tras.SI2024).
This episode was recorded on February 26, 2025, for First State Insights, a podcast presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA). For more First State Insights episodes, visit https://soundcloud.com/first-state-insights or search for "First State Insights" wherever you listen to podcasts.

IPA is a research and public service center within the University of Delaware's Biden School of Public Policy & Administration. For more on IPA, visit https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Engaged Universities, Public Administration, and Democracy in Central and Eastern Europe

Damian DeStefano, Director of the State of Delaware's Division of Small Business, talks with Troy Mix, Associate Director of the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about programs and approaches being put in place to support Delaware's small businesses through COVID-19 disruptions.

This interview was recorded on March 26, 2020. For the most up-to-date information on small business support in Delaware during the COVID-19 crisis, visit business.delaware.gov/coronavirus.

For more information on the Institute for Public Administration, visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Supporting Delaware's Small Businesses through COVID-19

Christina Stauffer, Assistant Director for Student Engagement and Assessment at the University of Delaware and Alanna Mozeik, Policy Lead and Technical Advisor at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services talk with Sean O’Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the Census 2020 Complete Count effort in Delaware and at the University of Delaware.

This interview was recorded on April 6, 2020. For the most up-to-date information on Delaware’s Census 2020 Complete Count effort please visit census.delaware.gov. To access the UDaily article referenced by Christina Stauffer in this episode, visit www.udel.edu/udaily/2020/march/united-states-census-2020/. 

For more information about the Institute for Public Administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Census 2020 Complete Count in Delaware

Connie Holland, AICP, Director of the Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC), and David Edgell, AICP, Principal Planner, OSPC, talk with Sean O'Neill, AICP, Policy Scientist, at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the history and mission of the OSPC in Delaware and their recent update to the Delaware Strategies for State Policies and Spending.

This interview was recorded on April 27, 2020. For the most up-to-date information on the Delaware Strategies for State Policies and Spending please visit strategies.stateplanning.delaware.gov.

For more information about the Institute for Public administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa

Delaware's Strategies for State Policies and Spending

Joseph Kane,  Senior Research Associate and Associate Fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program, speaks with  Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), about his research on the nation's infrastructure workforce and IPA's ongoing study of workforce development needs and opportunities associated with infrastructure in Delaware. 

For more information on the Brookings Institution, visit brookings.edu. Mr. Kane's research related to infrastructure and workforce development needs can be reviewed here: https://www.brookings.edu/author/joseph-kane/?type=research.

This episode was recorded on June  4, 2020. For more information about the Institute for Public administration visit www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa.

Workforce Development for Infrastructure

Patrick Callahan, Founder and Managing Partner of CompassRed, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about the role of innovation and adaptation for Delaware's  recovery from the economic and social impacts of COVID-19. Topics covered include adapting to the necessity of remote work, learning from career setbacks, and creating the conditions necessary for business and policy innovation.

This interview was recorded on August 6, 2020. To learn more about Patrick's work at CompassRed, which is a data and analytics agency based in Wilmington, Delaware, visit compassred.com. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License,

Innovation and Adaptation for Economic Recovery

Two senior leaders from Harvey, Hanna & Associates—a full-service commercial and industrial real estate development company based in Newport, Delaware—speak with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration.  Vice President of Marketing, Ryan Kennedy, and Vice President of Environmental and Governmental Affairs, Bill Lower, covered topics including the company's Delaware roots and their focus on redevelopment across the state, as well as Harvey Hanna's vision for Downtown Newport and their ongoing commitment to corporate philanthropy through the Delaware KIDS Fund.

This interview was recorded on August 28, 2020. To learn more about Harvey, Hanna & Associates, visit harveyhanna.com, and visit dekidsfund.com for more on the Delaware KIDS Fund. To learn about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

Redevelopment in Delaware and a Vision for Downtown Newport

Dr. Jalaal Hayes, speaks with Troy Mix, Associate Director at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, about his entrepreneurial journey. Dr. Hayes is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Lincoln University, a Visiting Assistant Professor at Delaware State University, and the founder of Elyte Universe, LLC—a company focused on innovating the approach to and outcomes from STEM education. Topics covered include Dr. Hayes’ accelerated educational career; how being a two-time Historically Black College and University (HBCU) graduate shaped his approach to entrepreneurship; defining and practicing code switching; and lessons learned from his early and ongoing ventures in sectors including education, entertainment, and energy. 

This interview was recorded on October 16, 2020 and is presented as part of both Global Entrepreneurship Week 2020 and the Delaware Founders’ Stories series—a collection of conversations with underrepresented and underestimated entrepreneurs focused on documenting entrepreneurial journeys, recounting successes and failures, and reflecting on lessons learned for moving beyond the obstacles along the way. 

Visit drjalaalhayes.com to stay in touch with Dr. Hayes. To learn about Global Entrepreneurship Week visit gewusa.co. For more information about the Institute for Public Administration, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License.

A Delaware Founder’s Story with Dr. Jalaal Hayes

Mary Ellen Gray, AICP, Director of Planning and Development in Newark, Delaware, joins Sean O'Neill, Policy Scientist at the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration (IPA), to talk about her journey as a planner and development activity in Newark.

The conversation covered Mary Ellen's personal and professional background (0:50); current development projects and planning activities in Newark (7:45); her experience serving as President of the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association (21:59); and reflections on leading as a woman in government (27:02).

This interview was recorded on October 22, 2020.
To read or listen in on the proceedings of recent planning meetings in Newark, visit newarkde.gov/Archive.aspx and select the dropdown box next to "Planning Commission." For more information on the Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association, visit  delawareapa.wordpress.com.

To learn more about IPA, visit ipa.udel.edu.

Opening and closing music: "I Dunno" by Grapes, used under Creative Commons 3.0 License

Planning + Development in Newark, Delaware with Mary Ellen Gray

Information, perspectives, and analysis for public policy, management, and community and economic development in Delaware.

Presented by the Institute for Public Administration (IPA), a research and public service center in the University of Delaware's Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration.

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