Academic Advising
Academic Advising at the programs of Public Affairs supports students by providing comprehensive advising to promote students' academic, personal, and professional success.
IMPORTANT: In an effort to help limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Public Affairs advisors will not be offering in-person meetings until further notice. However, we are still here to serve you. Click on an advisor and send an email to request a phone or videoconference advising appointment. We look forward to assisting you.
Staff
Robert Forbis, PhD
PPA, MPA, MPP Interim Director
Stephen Bannister, PhD
MIAGE Director
Beth Henke, MS
MIAGE, MPP Program Manager
JaTara Smith, MPA
MPA Program Manager
Victoria Medina, MA
Accounting and Finance Manager
Robert E. Forbis Jr., PhD
Interim Director PPA, MPA, MPP
Dr. Robert E. Forbis Jr., is a former Assistant Professor of Political Science; adjunct professor for the Health Sciences Center at Texas Tech University (HSC-TTU) and Research Associate with the Climate Center at Texas Tech University (CC-TTU). He is also a former Research Affiliate with the Center for Advanced Energy Studies at the Idaho National Laboratory (CAES-INL). His research interests primarily concern the policy nexus of environmental protection and energy development. He is the author of numerous journal articles and the book “Altered Policy Landscapes: Fracking, Grazing, and The Bureau of Land Management” (2019). He teaches courses on Public Lands and Resource Management, Climate and Sustainability, Energy and Environmental Policy, Environmental Theory, and Environmental Justice. Dr. Forbis is a recipient of the “Professing Excellence” Award (2014) and “Phi Beta Kappa Honored Professor” (2018) from Texas Tech University.
Contact Information:
801-585-7984
robert.forbis@poli-sci.utah.edu
JaTara Smith, MPA
MPA Program Manager
Contact for:
- Special Circumstances and petitions
- Graduation planning
- Dual degrees & Certificates
- Alumni connection & networking
JaTara is originally from Lubbock, TX. She is an alumna of Penn State University, where she received her Master of Public Administration degree. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of North Texas. She has worked in Utah for the last few years. She comes to the MPA program from the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the University of Utah as the Inaugural Coordinator for the African American Doctoral Scholars Initiative and the Black Cultural Center. JaTara enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying great food and a good book.
Contact Information:
jatara.smith@utah.edu
801-585-7985
Victoria Medina, MA
Accounting and Finance Manager
Victoria Medina is the Accounting and Finance Manager for the three graduate programs housed in the Programs of Public Affairs; Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Policy, and Master of International Affairs and Global Enterprise.
Since 2015, Victoria has overseen the finances and human resource operations for all three programs. Prior to joining the Programs of Public Affairs, Victoria spent eight years managing the Tanner Human Rights Center finances and working on their annual forum, as well, she worked in the Social and Behavioral Science college office.
Before moving to Salt Lake and working at the University of Utah, Victoria taught in Southern California, mainly in Los Angeles inner city schools. She also spent summers traveling to China to teach English.
Victoria has a Master of Arts degree in Teaching English as a Second Language and in Rhetoric and Composition, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education, both from California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. She also has certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Cal Poly Pomona, and a Grant Writing Certificate from the University of Tennessee.
Contact Information:
victoria.medina@utah.edu
801-213-1048
Stephen Bannister, Ph.D.
MIAGE Program Director | Associate Director of PPA
Professor Bannister, after a career in international consulting and management, completed
his Ph.D. in Economics in 2015 and was appointed as a lecturer and researcher in the
Department of Economics at the University of Utah. Professor Bannister's primary research
interest is in E3 (Energy, Economics, and Environment). Additionally, Professor Bannister
has appointments as the Director of the Master of Science in International Affairs
and Global Enterprise (MIAGE) program and as Associate Director for Macroeconomic
research and policy in the Economic Evaluation Unit in the Department of Economics.
Contact: steve.bannister@econ.utah.edu
STEPHEN BANNISTER FACULTY PAGEBeth Henke, M.S.
MIAGE, MPP Program Manager
Contact for:
- Special Circumstances and petitions
- Graduation planning
- Dual degrees & Certificates
- Alumni connection & networking
Elizabeth Henke is the Program Manager for the Master of Science in International Affairs and Global Enterprise and the Master of Public Policy. Her current work includes recruitment, admissions, academic advising, and alumni relations for the MPP Program. After receiving her Masters of Science in College Student Personnel from Miami University in 2003, she has worked as a student affairs professional in academic advising, developmental education, scholars' programming, alumni relations, and residence life. Her areas of interest include program evaluation, strategic planning, risk management, and assessment. When not in the office, she loves hiking, exploring the amazing parks in Utah, and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Contact: elizabeth.henke@utah.edu