The following interview is with Regina T. Boyce, ’14, a graduate of The University of Baltimore’s Master of Public Administration program and a Maryland State Delegate who is teaching PPIA 345: The Legislative Process this fall.
Is this your first time teaching this or any class at UB?
This is my first time teaching the legislative process, as well as my first time as an adjunct/employee at the University of Baltimore.
What do you enjoy most about teaching this course?
What I enjoy most about teaching this course is that I can be both a practitioner and administrator of this information. I am a legislator, so I can provide first-hand accounts and scenarios of salient terms and concepts within the assigned readings. As an adjunct (administrator presenting the theory) I can continually evaluate what I hear from the class, constituents and voters, as it relates to how they believe legislatures work. It allows me to think about and work on what my colleagues and I can do to make the legislative process more transparent and accessible to the people of Maryland.
It looks like you’ve been able to welcome guest speakers. Can you mention some people you’ve had and share how they’ve been able to add to the students’ experience in the class?
Delegate Stephanie Smith (Baltimore City) and Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (Montgomery County): Both work with agencies and organizations directly tied to the 2020 Census. Both talked about their dual roles with the Census as it relates to getting all those living in the U.S. counted, how much funding it brings per person for a state/city and how it links to the class topic of apportionment and gerrymandering. Delegate Smith and Wilkins connect the critical importance of the Census.
Delegate Carl Jackson (Baltimore County), Delegate Nick Mosby (Baltimore City), Maricé Morales (delegate, Montgomery County, 2014 – 2018), and Philip Westry (Candidate, 12th Council District, Baltimore City) shared their experience of being a candidate for elected office. The candidates went into why they ran, the strategy used to get their name and message out to voters, and what it really takes to run for office.
As an alum, what’s it like to be able to teach at your alma mater?
A dream!! I never thought I’d be doing this. During my time at UB, I was always impressed with my professors who were working in the field of the subject matter they taught. This is an excellent teaching model for students who need both theory and practice so that they have the tools to be competitive in a highly competitive global market. This is truly Knowledge That Works.