You are invited to join The University of Baltimore for A Call to Service, A Call to Lead: Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) Launch at USG, an evening highlighting the importance of public service leadership and the launch of the Doctor of Public Administration program in partnership with The Universities at Shady Grove.
When: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Where: Building II Ballroom, 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville, Maryland
This gathering will bring together leaders from across government, nonprofits, higher education and the broader public service community to reflect on public leadership at this pivotal moment and to highlight the DPA program’s innovative format and regional impact.
The evening will feature a moderated conversation with senior leaders in public administration, including Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive; James-Christian Blockwood, President and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration; Charlene Dukes, President Emeritus of Prince George’s Community College and Founder and Principal of The Dukes Group, LLC; and Roger Hartley, President-Elect of the American Society for Public Administration. The fireside chat: "Why Public Service is Needed Now" will be moderated by Stacy Rodgers, Executive in Residence with UBalt’s College of Public Affairs and President of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.
Also remarks from Anne Khademian, USG Executive Director; Ivan Sascha Sheehan, Ubalt College of Public Affairs Interim Dean; and Mariglynn Edlins, DPA Program Director.
Faculty, students and alumni will join these distinguished guests for an evening of conversation, connection and celebration.
We hope you will join us for this important celebration of public service!
Fireside Chat: "Why Public Service is Needed Now"
Calvin Ball is the County Executive of Howard County, Maryland, and the first African American elected to that role. Re-elected in 2022, he is nationally recognized for his data-informed, people-centered approach to public service leadership, advancing economic development, education, public safety, and community well-being. During his tenure, Dr. Ball led a nationally recognized COVID-19 response and continues to guide Howard County’s transformative recovery. He holds degrees from Towson University, the University of Baltimore, and Morgan State University, where he earned his Doctor of Education.
James-Christian Blockwood is currently President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Academy of Public Administration. He is a former career member of the Senior Executive Service in the U.S. Government. He is also an adjunct professor at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He is deeply committed to nonpartisanship and organizational excellence, and is passionate about serving others and his country.
Charlene Mickens Dukes, Ed.D. is President Emerita of Prince George’s Community College and founder and principal of The Dukes Group, LLC, a higher education consulting firm. A nationally recognized leader in community college education, she previously served as the first female president of PGCC for 13 years and has held numerous leadership roles at the state and national levels, including service on the Maryland State Board of Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Dr. Dukes has received multiple honors for her contributions to higher education and public service, including the American Association of Community Colleges’ “Leader of the Year” award.
Roger E. Hartley is Professor of Public and International Affairs at the University of Baltimore and President-Elect of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). A Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, he previously served for more than a decade as Dean of the College of Public Affairs at UBalt. A nationally recognized academic leader and advocate for public service education, Dr. Hartley has received numerous honors for teaching, engagement, and service, including ASPA’s Chester Newland Award.
Stacy L. Rodgers has more than 35 years of experience across government and nonprofit leadership. In 2019, she became the first African American and second woman appointed Baltimore County Administrative Officer, overseeing daily operations, a $4.5 billion budget, and a 10,000-member workforce before retiring in 2024. Her career includes senior leadership roles in Maryland, Baltimore City, Washington, D.C., and service as Chief of Staff for the U.S. Social Security Administration during the Obama Administration. She currently serves as an Executive in Residence and Adjunct Professor at the University of Baltimore, and as National President of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.
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