Jersey City, N.J. – June 23, 2014 – Saint Peter’s University today announced the appointment of Philip Mark Plotch, Ph.D., as director of the master’s program in public administration at Saint Peter’s University. The master’s program in public administration prepares graduates for rewarding, high impact careers in government, nonprofit organizations, international institutions and private sector businesses that are dedicated to the public good.
“The introduction of our master’s program in public administration was a strategic move for the University as advanced degrees are very important for job candidates in this particular field,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “I am confident that the program will make great strides under Dr. Plotch’s leadership given his unique professional experience. We are very pleased to welcome him to the Saint Peter’s community.”
Plotch most recently served as the director of World Trade Center redevelopment and special projects at the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC), where he helped to lead the nation’s efforts to rebuild Lower Manhattan. He managed a $260 million program to plan, design and build the National 9/11 Memorial and Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center. He has overseen the design and construction of Lower Manhattan open spaces and has administered programs to rebuild structures destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Prior to serving LMDC, Plotch played a lead role in planning improvements to the New York metropolitan area’s transportation system. As the manager of planning at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), he organized the planning and communications efforts for the Second Avenue Subway. Plotch has taught for more than seven years in the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning at Hunter College and also has experience teaching for the American Planning Association. In 2015, Rutgers University Press will publish his book, Politics Across the Hudson: The Tappan Zee Megaproject.
“It is a great privilege to join the community at Saint Peter’s University,” said Plotch. “I am looking forward to providing students with the sophisticated set of skills and expertise they will need to address critical problems in their own public service careers.”
Plotch received his B.S. from the State University of New York at Albany and his master’s in urban planning from Hunter College. He earned a Ph.D. in public and urban policy from the Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy at the New School University.
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