Student Profile
Alejandro Barahona is originally from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, but moved to the United States in 2018 to pursue his college education. He successfully earned his bachelor's degree in economics (2022) and completed his master's degree in business administration (2023) at Mississippi State University. Presently, he is a first-year Ph.D. student in Public Administration here at Florida Atlantic University. His research interests are non-profit management, critical theory, public policy, and organizational studies. Outside of academics, you will find him hiking and enjoying the outdoors.
Michael Botwe is a Ph.D. student in the School of Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University. He graduated from Central Michigan University with a Master of Public Administration (State and Local Government Concentration). Also, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Ghana. He did his National Service at the Legal Aid Commission of Ghana under the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s Department with the sponsorship of the United Nations Development Program(UNDP).
Additionally, he is a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in the School of Public Administration. His research interests dive into public policy processes and analysis, institutional analysis, economic development, poverty alleviation and inequalities, and transparent, accountable, responsible, and good governance mechanisms in mitigating corruption to fostering trust and confidence in public institutions. Furthermore, his interests draw heavily on using qualitative, quantitative, and innovative methods in combating climate change, and good environmental protection practices that will ensure sustainability for current and future generations.
Jennifer Cudjoe is a PHD student and a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the school of Public Administration. She received her bachelor of Commerce (Management) and Master of Commerce in Management from the University of Cape Coast. She is an alumna of the University of Cape Coast where she was awarded a Dean's award of Excellence for producing an outstanding thesis in Management. Her thesis was titled " Organizational climate, psychological empowerment and job performance of star-rated hotels in the Central Region: The role of emotional intelligence".
Her research interests include Public sector management, Emotional intelligence, Sustainable management, change and emergency Management and psychological empowerment.
Albena Dzhurova will graduate with a Ph.D. in Public Administration from SPA in December 2023. In her main research endeavors, she applies narrative theory and narrative analysis to the study of immigration, public management and administration, and organization behavior. Her current research explores how narrative construction affects policy action. Through critical lens, Albena studies how political and professional elites use language to reinforce existing power structures and advance divergent views of immigration. Albena has published in journals such as Administrative Theory & Praxis, Politics & Policy, and International Journal of Social Economics, as well as in Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance.
Maria Lungu is a Ph.D. candidate and Instructor in the School of Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University. She received a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Business Administration with a minor in Leadership from The University of Charleston. She then completed a Juris Doctor at The University of Tennessee College of Law followed by a Master of Business Administration at Belmont University. Maria’s research investigates how law, public policy/administration, and artificial intelligence intersect. She investigates the veracity of risk assessment tools in criminal justice administration, ensuring fairness, accountability, and transparency. She also considers the sociopolitical implications of using automated decision systems in administrative processes and the effects on citizen opinion. Maria’s research has been published in the Review of Black Political Economy, Administrative Theory and Praxis, and the American Journal of Qualitative Research amongst other journals.
Beril Han Celik is a first-year Ph.D. student in Public Administration. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Bilkent University and a Master of Art in Design and Media Management from Miami International University of Art & Design. Her master’s thesis “The Next Level for TV Broadcasting: Web TV” allowed her to examine the impact and value of Turkish Radio and Television’s online TV broadcasting, with a particular focus on interactivity and localized content, for both the audience and the public broadcasting institution. Prior to pursuing my PhD, Beril worked at Turkish Radio and Television Corporation for 22 years at different levels and various positions such as Marketing and Sales Department, Media Management and Archives Department, Project Management Office, Television In-House Productions Department and TRT World Ankara Office. After 22 years of public media broadcasting service, she retired and started pursuing a new exciting goal at Florida Atlantic University as a Ph.D. student.
Gorgin Mansourian is currently a Ph.D. Candidate and a dedicated student with a rich academic background. Holding a Bachelor of Science in International Business and a minor in Political Science from Southern Connecticut State University, he furthered his education with an MBA, concentrating on International Business from the same institution. In 2020, Gorgin embarked on a new academic journey, joining FAU as a Ph.D. student in Public Administration. His research is driven by a passion for environmental policy, public policy, narratives and storytelling, Presidential power, and foreign policy. Gorgin is also the President of FAU’s Association of Doctoral Students in Public Administration.
Over the past few years, Gorgin has had the privilege of working closely with several esteemed faculty members, both as a Teaching Assistant and on various academic projects. Since 2021, he has had the honor of teaching at FAU, with an eye on graduating in 2024. Gorgin aspires to delve into academia full-time post-graduation, confident that the School of Public Administration has provided him with the essential tools and knowledge for his future pursuits. He holds immense gratitude for the foundation and opportunities the institution has granted him. Beyond the confines of academia, Gorgin is an enthusiastic hiker and camper, finding solace and connection in the embrace of the outdoors.
Jean-Claude M. Ndongo is a Ph.D. candidate at FAU's School of Public Administration. His research interests are public budgeting and finance, public procurement, disasters and emergency management, and international affairs.
He holds a certificate in data analytics from the University of Miami's bootcamp program, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Otterbein University, and a bachelor's in financial management from Franklin University. Before joining the Ph.D. program at FAU, Jean-Claude worked as a banker and financial advisor for several years. His professional experience has influenced his research as he studies public finance policies, disasters, and government contracting. He has published in the African Journal of Public Administration (AJPAM) and the Journal of Public Affairs Education (JPAE).
Jean-Claude is a recipient of the Florida Education Fund’s McKnight Doctoral Fellowship and a fellow with the William Averette Anderson Fund (Bill Anderson Fund). He is the treasurer of FAU's Association of Doctoral Students in Public Administration (ADSPA) and a member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). He serves as chairperson of the fundraising committee of ASPA's Section for African Public Administration (SAPA).
Emmanuel Sir Odoom is a first-year Public Administration doctoral student at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). He received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work at the University of Ghana, Legon, and a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University (CMU). His research interests cover Artificial Intelligence, Procurements, Public Policy Analysis, Business Management, and Employee Motivation. He is currently involved with different research projects at FAU. In addition, He is serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and a recipient of the Dean’s Fellowship at FAU. He is also a member of the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP), and Project Management Professional (PMI).
Bibi Parmar is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University. She completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the City University of New York, Baruch College. Her academic interests include organizational management, public policy impact on vulnerable populations, and emergency management.
With more than 16 years of experience in leadership roles in City and State government, Bibi has a strong passion for public service. During her career, she has led the business operations of the Senior and Disabled Renter and Homeowner Exemption programs for the New York City Department of Finance, aimed at assisting vulnerable low-income citizens to remain in their homes. Currently, she is the Director of Transportation Support for the Florida Department of Transportation Southeast region, where she provides operational oversight to the Administration, Procurement, and Finance units.
Besides her professional life, Bibi loves spending quality time with her family and friends. She is an avid traveler and a foodie.
Jodie Ramirez is a first-year Ph.D. student in Public Administration. She received an MPA with a concentration in Justice Policy Management from Florida Atlantic University. Her bachelor's degree was achieved from Rhode Island College with a double major in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Jodie has been employed by the Broward Sheriff’s Office for nearly thirty years, working in compliance and accreditation throughout the agency. She is currently the accreditation manager for the Department of Fire Rescue and Emergency Services. Her future research will focus on the benefits of accreditation in public service, specifically fire departments.
Julia Soondar is a Ph.D. student in Public Administration. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Sustainable Food Systems from Prescott College. Her research interests include public policy, food security, and narrative analysis. While at FAU, she has worked closely with several faculty members as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, been a course Instructor, and served as the Vice President for ADSPA.