Adjunct Lecturer uses IT experience to teach MPA students

In the rapidly evolving landscape of public administration, the integration of technology has become increasingly more important. Professionals armed with a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree find themselves leveraging technological advancements and managing large projects to drive meaningful change in the public sector.

Meet Jeffrey Gawel, a University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Adjunct Lecturer. Outside of teaching for the UIC online Master of Public Administration program, he currently works as the Chief Information & Technology Officer at United Way of Metro Chicago, a non-profit organization that supports and funds collective efforts to stimulate resources for Chicago neighborhoods. Gawel oversees the operations and strategic growth of the organization’s technology and data infrastructure.

Teaching in UIC’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs for over 20 years, Gawel has had a hybrid career where he’s been able to use his industry experience to teach students. Having primarily taught online courses, Gawel has most recently been tasked with developing and teaching PA422: Project Management for the online MPA program. A certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Gawel understands the topic well having been in the IT project management space for many years.

Learn more about Gawel’s career path and his online MPA course.

Tell us a little about yourself. What is your work/educational background?

I received my undergraduate degree in political science and psychology, as well as my MPA from UIC. When I entered the MPA program, I wasn’t clear on what I wanted to do career-wise.

Towards the end of my time in the MPA degree program, I began working in the public sector for the City of Chicago in procurement and contracting, but I eventually entered the IT project management space which is where I’ve been ever since. I worked for over 10 years at the Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA) here in Chicago, serving in various project management and IT leadership positions. I’ve worked at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago as Director of Information Technology and Workforce Information Systems Implementation Director. I’ve done some independent consulting work for the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, serving as technology project manager over the implementation of a workforce services system for Chicago and Cook County. Finally, I’ve worked as Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Technology and Partnerships at Illinois Action for Children (IAFC) for 6 years. My current role is Chief Information & Technology Officer at United Way of Metro Chicago.

Why did you decide to begin teaching in the MPA program at UIC?

I started teaching at UIC in 2003, five years after I left the MPA program. I stayed in touch with my professor at the time, Dr. James Thompson. We would get lunch and he would ask me what I was working on. Then one day he asked me if I wanted to teach. The first course I taught was an IT course for the on-campus MPA program.

I am currently developing and teaching the PA 422: Project Management course, the UIC PA 431: Civic Technology, and PA 433: Data Management course for the online MPA program

In UIC’s online MPA program, students will learn data analytics skills, public management skills, IT skills, and how to develop networks and work with communities. I’m currently working in a nonprofit and all of these skills are ones that students should come away with when they leave the program.

What are the skills students will develop in your PA 422: Project Management course?

The one undercurrent throughout my entire career has been project management. When I began working in the City of Chicago, I found project management to be extremely valuable. I’ve used it in all my public sector and nonprofit jobs which is probably why the PA 422 course attracts so many students. People are realizing that even if they are not going to be full time project managers there are things you can learn from project management that can help improve how you do your job.

Students will learn the foundational techniques of formal project management. We will cover everything from planning to executing a project. Students will learn how to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, and close a project. Students will also learn how to develop a schedule, manage risks, create a budget, work with stakeholders, and how to communicate effectively.

What is the most important thing you have learned about having a successful career that you would like to pass on to MPA students?

If there’s any piece of advice that I’ve learned along the way is that students should learn from people who have experience. We have a pipeline of people who have gone through the program who are always happy to talk to students and provide support.

In our UIC online MPA program, you’ll be exposed to experts and researchers in the field. Our faculty is made up of working practitioners, which I think is very important.

Tell us a little about the most exciting project you are working on right now.

One area of IT that I’m really interested in has to do with data systems and business systems. That’s been sort of a theme throughout my career. I have worked on financial systems, CRM systems, and other systems that are critical to how businesses operate. I’m currently working on implementing a new system that will impact how we raise funds and how we operate. It will also help clean up our processes since everybody is currently working off spreadsheets. This new system will make things a lot more efficient. These are the types of projects that I really enjoy. I like helping organizations operate more effectively.

The 100% online Master of Public Administration program prepares students for public service careers in government at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as for careers in nonprofit organizations, research and policy institutes, and other agencies devoted to meaningful societal change. Talk to an enrollment specialist today to learn more about the program.