Master’s in Public Administration Graduate Assistants’

Community Assistant Program (CAP)

Kendra Stewart

The Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Center for Livable Communities

The beginning of an idea

• Nonprofit organizations significantly enhance our quality of life

• They often have limited resources, time, and staff• The MPA students are eager and ready to use their

knowledge in the community

What the CAP program offers

• Program development• Analysis of policy and procedures• Program evaluation• Fundraising and marketing• Board training• Volunteer coordination• Survey research• Data and program analysis• Management analysis• Meeting facilitation• Strategic planning

CAP for the Community

• CAP director, Janet Key, is the internship coordinator and an instructor for the MPA program

• She also has 20+ years experience in community initiatives

• Students are knowledgeable about current practice and theory in the non-profit sector, including:– Techniques– Philosophies– Research

CAP Community Partners

CARES Clinic HALOS East Cooper Community Outreach Kiawah Island Community Association Metanoia Community Development Corporation Spoleto Festival USA Lowcountry Local First North Charleston Police Department USS Yorktown CV-10 Association

Spoleto Festival USA

• Economic impact study– Travel– Lodging– Performance preferences– Demographics

• Collected 2,189 surveys – used SPSS for analysis• Demonstrated Spoleto’s positive effects on the

Charleston economy, despite the current recession

Lowcountry Local First

• Nonprofit organization that seeks to educate the local community about the importance of supporting the local economy

• Conducted community awareness survey– Residents– Local business owners

• CAP developed a final report which included possible solutions to the organization’s issues– Marketing efforts

North Charleston Police Department

• Area has a long history of violent crimes• Tremendous growth over the past 10-15 years due to

revitalization efforts• Surveyed 2,000 North Charleston residents• Survey assessed:

– Community’s perception of crime – Perception of NCPD performance– General satisfaction

Benefits of Collaboration• For CAP Students:

– Relevant work experience– Networking opportunities– Funding

• For the agencies:– Little-to-no cost assistance– Exposure to innovative public administration practices

• For the CofC MPA Program:– Internship and volunteer opportunities– Classroom speakers