Hudson County Freeholder Bill O’Dea Visits Campus as a Guest Lecturer

Hudson County Freeholder Bill O’Dea was a guest lecturer in Professor Don Goncalves’ public administration and service class on September 19.

O’Dea talked about public service, his background in developing policy as well as instituting initiatives related to workforce development, housing and economic development.

Asked about his role in Hudson County government and his professional career in economic development, O’Dea stated that in spite of the many offers to move on to other endeavors, public service continues to provide him the ability to help impact thousands of lives and to create substantive change for the residents of his community in job creation, housing and economic development. O’Dea stated that the IMPACT program started by his office to help provide greater access for minorities for them to obtain apprenticeships within local trade unions has now become a model program for municipalities all around New Jersey.

The students of Saint Peter’s MPA program learned valuable lessons related to leadership, government accountability and practical advice on applying problem solving skills in an effort to create innovative programs that citizens deserve.