MEET THE BOARD
Chair
Zeeshan Noor, PhD
Research Manager / Affiliate Faculty Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
Dr. Zeeshan Noor is a Research Manager and Affiliate Faculty at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. He holds a Ph.D. in Public Affairs degree with a concentration in public and nonprofit management from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Noor’s research focuses on nonprofit management, philanthropy, the use of digital media in the nonprofit sector, donor behavior, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and organizational leadership. In addition to serving as the Chair of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)’s Section on Professional and Organizational Development (SPOD), Dr. Noor is a Co-Chair for the ASPA Annual Global Public Administration Capstone Panel Committee, and the Professional Development Chair of the Indiana Chapter of ASPA (INASPA). In addition, he serves on the board of the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA) Membership Committee. He also serves as a DEI Council Member of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Dr. Noor is a proud recipient of the 2023 APPAM Equity and Inclusion Young Professional Fellowship, 2021 ARNOVA Emerging Scholar Award, 2021 ASPA SICA David Gould Scholar Award, 2020 ARNOVA Doctoral Fellowship, and 2019 ARNOVA Diversity Fellowship. In addition, Dr. Noor is a recipient of several grants and scholarships. He was inducted into the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society as a lifetime member in 2015 by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Dr. Noor is passionate about traveling, photography, and graphic design.
Chair-Elect
James Wright, PhD
Assistant Teaching Professor Penn State University
Dr. James Wright is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Penn State University. He holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Utah. In addition to SPOD, Dr. Wright is a dedicated board member of the Public Administration Theory Network. He excels in promoting scholarly work through multimedia and marketing for conferences, particularly for the journal, Administrative Theory & Praxis. Recently named the Associate Editor of Marketing and Social Media for the Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs, Dr. Wright also holds positions with ASPA’s Criminal Justice section and the Police Practice and Research journal. He was instrumental in the success of ASPA President-Elect John Bartle’s campaign, contributing significant online media expertise. Dr. Wright is committed to serving SPOD’s membership by strengthening connections among public administration scholars, practitioners, and organizations, always with a focus on advancing professional development and enhancing the public sector.
Secretary
Paige L. Moore, PhD Student
North Carolina State University
Paige L. Moore is a Doctoral Research Fellow in the School of Public and International Affairs and Adjunct Faculty Instructor in the School of Social Work at NC State University. Her background as a research professional has focused on examining and identifying innovative solutions to social problems through research, analysis, and practice. Moore’s extensive experience in program evaluation, teaching, and research, as well as evidence-based policy writing and implementation, has allowed her to lead research projects to success while serving the needs of diverse populations. Her interdisciplinary background in social work and political science provides her with the skills needed to assess best practices at the local, state, and federal levels. Moore’s previous work has focused on how U.S. immigration policies disproportionately impact marginalized populations, the significance of cultural intelligence as a resource for effective leadership; the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on communities of color and (dis)abled populations experiencing homelessness; and the value of interprofessional teams of social workers and officers in police departments. For her work with the Raleigh Police Department writing policies, building community relationships, and developing the Addressing Crises through Outreach, Networking, and Service (ACORNS) Team, Moore received the 2020 NASW-NC President’s Award and Chief’s Citation from the Raleigh Police Department in 2021. Moore was named a 2021 ASPA Founder’s Fellow.
Head of Communication & Strategy
Thanh Hoang, PhD
PHD Assistant Professor Southern Connecticut State University
Thanh Hoang is an Assistant Professor at the Southern Connecticut State University. She holds a PhD in Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Hoang’s research interests are in Public Human Resource Management and Leadership, Diversity Management, Fundraising and Social Media Engagement of the Nonprofit Sector. Hoang is recently recognized as a 2021 Founder’s Fellow of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), and a 2020 Diversity Scholar by Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA). She earned a Master of Public Management at the School of Government, Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Hoang also had several years of experience working as a Communication and Program Coordinator for both local and international nonprofit organizations in Vietnam.
Membership Committee Co-chair # 1
Rafiu Laguda, PhD
PhD Student Capella University
Rafiu has extensive knowledge in Program design and development, Nonprofit management, corporate marketing, business development, conflict resolutions, negotiations, marketing/intercultural communication, sales promotion strategy, business development, relationship management, managing workplace diversity, diversity management, research, and Teaching. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and a Master of Arts degree in Translation (English-German, German-English) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. In 1999, he received the German Academic Exchange Scholarship (DAAD) for Nigerian German students; later, in 2002, he was awarded the Federal Government of Nigeria Scholarship for Post-Graduate Studies. He also emerged the overall winner of the 1999 annual Goethe Institut, Lagos Nigeria quiz competition. He also earned a Master of Public Affairs and Administration degree (MPA), with a major focus on policy analysis, program development, and strategic planning, from the Metropolitan College of New York (MCNY). On June 6th, 2014, he was inducted into the International Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration, also known as PI Alpha Alpha; haven graduated with a 3.7. He represented MCNY at the ASPA 2015 International Conference in Chicago, where he presented his well-written Constructive Action (Thesis). Coincidentally he was the current President of the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society MCNY Chapter. In 2018, he obtained the NYU School of Professional Studies Advanced Diploma in Managing Workplace Diversity and Inclusion; he also has a certificate in Art of Negotiation: From Global to Local, where he learned principles of negotiation, conflict resolution, and collective bargaining. He proceeded to Harvard University School Extension in 2019 and completed a 3-month Leadership training in Essential Management Skills for Emerging Leaders; he is currently studying for his Ph.D. In Multidisciplinary Human Services from Capella University. His dissertation title is “Understanding nonprofit organizations’ administrative staff experiences with accessing community health resources for undocumented African immigrants from 2017-2022”
Membership Committee Co-chair # 2
Jyoti Aggarwal, PhD
PhD Student The University of Texas at Dallas
Jyoti Aggarwal is a Doctoral Student at the University of Texas at Dallas. Jyoti is interested in public sector leadership, DEI, and performance management. Her work on the doctoral degree in public administration follows her doctoral degree in educational leadership and a Master’s in Science Education. Her work is published in Public Administration, Journal of Leadership Studies, and School Leadership and Management. One of her works Exploring Organizational Generational Cohorts and Leadership Behavior on Job Satisfaction, Intent to Turnover, and Leadership Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Federal Government, with Dr. Sally Selden in 2021 received the best paper in track at the Southern Management Association Conference. She has recently been selected as a scholarship recipient for Section on Professional and Organizational Development (SPOD) 2023, a section of ASPA, and has been selected as Membership co-chair for the SPOD board in 2023. She recently received the Vibhooti Shukla Graduate Fellowship award from the School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences in 2023 at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Treasurer
Keesha Gill, PhD
Assistant Division Director Fairfax County Government
Keesha Gill serves as the Assistant Division Director for the Fairfax County Government. Ms. Gill is a dedicated team leader, known for fostering a positive community culture and high expectations. With extensive experience working with youth and families, she successfully manages complex projects using both macro and micro-level thinking. Keesha is a value-centric servant leader, excelling in fast-paced environments by delivering innovative strategies and professionalism. Her leadership has notably enhanced community engagement and organizational success in various initiatives.
Board Member at Large # 1
Ahmed Rafi, PhD
PhD Student The University of Texas at Dallas
Ahmed Rafi is currently a third-year doctoral student in the Public and Nonprofit Management program in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at the University of Texas at Dallas. He served in the United States Air Force (USAF) as an aerospace engineer receiving several awards and accolades during his service. The most notable was when he presented the US Flag that was flown on the Capitol recognizing his excellence in work, service and leadership to the country. Rafi’s research focuses broadly on gender-related diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) and leadership issues in the US armed forces, and the impact of those on the retention of women and transgenders in the military. Mr. Rafi has taught courses in public service and Organization theory while pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Dallas. Mr. Rafi is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Dallas Chapter. He is also very active in various sections of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), including SASPA (South Asian Section for Public Administration). Rafi is also an active member of the Muslim Philanthropy and Civil Society Common Interest Group. He regularly attends the PhD lunch and learn events and meetings organized by the program. He has attended and presented at various nonprofit and public administration conferences.
Board Member at Large # 2
Ratna Okhai, PhD
Assistant Professor University of South Florida
Dr. Ratna Okhai is an Assistant Professor at the University of South Florida. She earned her PhD from the School of Public Affairs at the University of Central Florida. Dr. Okhai’s dissertation work is on how inter-organizational coordination networks operate in policy and practice in the context of disasters. In addition to coordination networks, Ratna is passionate about local government issues, emergency management policy and practice, and local government leadership & gender. She has been published in Public Administration Review, Natural Hazards, and Public Administration Quarterly.
Board Member at Large # 3
Richa Adhikari
PhD Strategy and Performance Management Analyst Office of Resilience and Sustainability, Clayton County Board of Commissioners
Dr. Richa Adhikari is the Strategy and Performance Management Analyst for the Office of Resilience and Sustainability within the Clayton County Board of Commissioners. She earned her doctorate in Public Management and Policy from Georgia State University in October 2022. Her research focused on the use of information technology and social media by nonprofit arts and culture organizations in the United States. In her current position as Strategy and Performance Analyst, Dr. Adhikari is responsible for driving the strategic priorities of Clayton County’s departments. She monitors each department’s progress on its strategic priorities and contributes to performance data visualizations using Envisio – performance management software. She is the liaison between the Board of Commissioners and department heads to create a cohesive, county-wide strategic plan.
Immediate Past Chair
Gina Scutelnicu, PhD
PhD Associate Professor Pace University
Dr. Gina Scutelnicu Todoran is an associate professor of Public Administration. She has a PhD in Public Affairs from Florida International University, a MA in Public Service Management and a BA in Public Administration from Babes-Bolyai University, Romania. She teaches graduate courses in the Master of Public Administration program. Her research interests focus on two main areas: 1) social and gender equity , and 2) state and local government collaborative governance. Professionally, she has been an active member of the American Society for Public Administration and served the organization’s sections and chapters in various leadership roles for the past thirteen years.