You’ve read our post, “Do you want to make a greater difference in society?”  We’re thrilled with your interest and we know many of you may be wondering, who will actually be speaking at the institute? So here’s a sneak peek of our presenters we’ll be hearing from at the Government Decision-Making Institute this July.

1. Jennifer Flanagan, MA State Senator
   
   “Senator Flanagan began working in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1995 as a Legislative Aide, then as Chief of Staff on four legislative committees. She was elected to the House of Representatives for two terms, representing the 4th Worcester District. She was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate in September of 2008 and was sworn in the first week of January 2009. Senator Flanagan now represents Ashby, Bolton, Precincts 1 &2 of Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Sterling, Townsend and Westminster.” Learn more
   
   
2. Stephen DiNatale, MA State Representative
   
   
   Legislator, Stephen DiNatale serves on joint committees on election laws, higher education, municipalities and regional government, and tourism, arts and cultural government. Learn more
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Lisa A. Wong, Mayor of Fitchburg
   
   “Lisa A. Wong is currently serving her fourth term as Mayor of the city of Fitchburg.  She was first elected to that office in November of 2007 at the age of 28, and is the first minority mayor in Fitchburg and the first female Asian American mayor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Learn more

5. Dean Mazzarella, Mayor of Leominster
   
   
   “Dean J. Mazzarella was elected Mayor in 1993 and was sworn in on January 3, 1994. Prior to his run for Mayor, Dean Mazzarella was a ten-year veteran of the Leominster Police Department and has been a small business owner in the City for a number of years.” Learn more
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. Ryan McNutt, Town Administrator, Lancaster
   
   “As the Chief Administrative Officer of Lancaster I provide professional administration, management and supervision of municipal departments. Including assuring compliance with relevant federal laws and regulations, Massachusetts General Laws and municipal bylaws, and regulations.” Learn more
   
   

7. Carly Antonellis, District & Communications Director

   Carly has served as the District & Communications Director for the past 6.5 years in the office of Senator Jen Flanagan. She manages, monitors and oversees all municipal, school and economic development activity in the Worcester & Middlesex State Senate District consisting of eleven cities and towns (Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Fitchburg, Gardner, Lancaster, Leominster, Lunenburg, Sterling, Townsend and Westminster.) Learn more
   
   
8. Dr. Stephen Flynn, Professor of Political Science, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
   Director, Center for Resilience Studies, Co-Director, George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security, Northeastern University
   
   "Dr. Stephen Flynn is a professor of political science, founding director of the
   Center for Resilience Studies, and co-director of the George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. In September 2014 he was appointed by Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson to serve a member of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Advisory Council (HSSTAC)." Learn more
   
   
9. Michael Kushmerek, City Councilor, Fitchburg
   
   
   Michael has served as Ward 4 City Councilor for the City of Fitchburg since January 2014. It has been noted that he recognizes the needs of the community and strives to achieve the goals to resolve the needs. Learn more
   
   

Each speaker will discuss with our students in a low-key, informal, and round-the-table environment — their:

• Public service ideals
• Career successes and challenges 
• Advice on and lessons for crisis management decision-making 

The course is offered on the graduate and undergraduate level. Search for the following courses:

53115 POLS 4360 Understanding Government Decision Making (undergraduate)
53124 POLS 9003 Institute in Understanding Government Decision Making (graduate)

Registration is still open and if you register by June 25, you’ll save yourself the $50 registration fee!