Home » Faculty » Dr. Trent A. Engbers

Trent Engbers

Professor of Political Science and Public Administration; Master of Public Administration, Director

“Make the most of your education by taking advantage of every opportunity.”

Trent Engbers

Professor of Political Science and Public Administration; Master of Public Administration, Director

“Make the most of your education by taking advantage of every opportunity.”

Degrees Held:

PhD, Public Affairs, Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
Certificate, Organizational Change, University of Missouri
Master of Education, University of Maryland
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance, Xavier University

Career Highlights:

Governor-appointed commission member for the Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Consultant and Founding Partner, Cardinal Analytics and Planning Associates
Distinguished Faculty Recognition, University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts
Sydney and Sadelle Berger Award for Faculty Community Service, USI, 2023
O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs Executive Education, Outstanding Instructor, 2023
Youth Resources Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, 2019
USI Foundation Outstanding Teaching by New Faculty, 2015-2016
I have taught at a number of universities including Indiana University, University of Notre Dame, DePaul University, University of Maryland, Guizhou Sichuan Teachers University (China) and University of Missouri.

Tell us something that your students might find interesting about you.
I have a lot of international interests. I spent two years teaching in the Peace Corps in China and lived in Israel during my sabbatical conducting research on nonprofit organizations. I love a good challenge: running in a marathon, canoeing 200 miles down the Ohio River, hiking 500 miles across Israel, entering a beauty pageant, winning a celebrity bull ride or coaching a state championship lacrosse team.
What is one book you think everyone should read?
Kennedy and Nixon by Christopher Matthews.
Why did you start teaching?
It was an accident, but I just couldn’t stop.
In your own words, what is the value of this degree to a student?
Students learn to lead organizations and make data-driven decisions while making a difference in the community.
What advice would you give to those considering this online program?
Suck the marrow out of life. The USI MPA offers more than just classes and a degree. Join the program and take advantage of all the opportunities to make the most of your education.
What would you like students to take away from your classes?
A desire to make a difference and the concrete skills needed to do so.
What types of projects can your students expect in these courses?
The focus of my classes is community engagement. In most classes, students will be connected to public and nonprofit organizations in southern Indiana where they will develop real skills while implementing projects that address community needs. There is also a strong focus on building community within the class. My classes feature weekly assignments where students interact with the faculty and with their peers to explore issues related to public and nonprofit administration.
In which online courses/classes do you teach?
Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Statistics
Grant Writing
Fundraising and Volunteer Management
Public and Nonprofit Personnel Administration
In which online program(s) do you teach?
MPA

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