Sacramento State’s Department of Public Policy and Administration (PPA), a Master’s degree program with an illustrious list of graduates, celebrates its 20^th anniversary this year.

Part of the College of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies, PPA draws together diverse perspectives essential to a career in public administration or policy by teaching skills necessary for management and budgeting, evaluating policy options and developing political strategies. Students learn how to manage the resources and tackle the public policy problems facing the Sacramento region and the state.

To observe the milestone, PPA will celebrate with a reception from 5 to 7 pm., Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Center for Collaborative Policy, 815 S Street, first floor. RSVP by e-mailing Suzy Byrd, ppa-01@csus.edu.

“I am most proud of the nearly 300 graduates of our program who now hold leadership positions in our region’s city and county governments, state government and legislature, and non-profit and advocacy groups,” says department Chairperson Robert Wassmer.

Prominent alumni of the program include West Sacramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, California Forward Executive Director Jim Mayer, California State University Assistant Vice Chancellor Karen Yelverton, and Josh Rosa, who is a policy advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger. Past Assemblyperson Lloyd Levine and Sacramento City Councilperson Kevin McCarty are among the current students.

“Our success in the past 20 years is due to the quality and commitment of the professors we have and the generous support offered by the administration at Sacramento State,” says Wassmer.

For more information on the Department of Public Policy and Administration, visit www.csus.edu/ppa. For media assistance, call Sacramento State’s Public Affairs office at (916) 278-6156.