‘A savoir faire from beyond our walls’
Heurtel says the most rewarding thing about public administration is making people’s lives better. He hopes his residency will combat what he believes is one of the biggest misconceptions about public administrators: they’re apathetic.
“Public administration officials are committed, passionate people who truly care about the common good,” he says. “Most of their role and work is misunderstood or unknown and I intend to change that.”
Heurtel is the latest to join the Faculty of Arts and Science cohort of experts-in-residence. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, these individuals are an integral part of the priorities outlined in the faculty’s strategic plan, FAS 2025, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration and experiential learning opportunities that prepare and support students in lasting ways.
The initiative embodies several of Concordia’s strategic directions, including Experiment Boldly and Teach for Tomorrow.
“These residencies are meant to enrich our students’ experiential learning by bringing in a savoir faire from beyond our walls,” says André Roy, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Science. “We are thrilled to welcome David Heurtel to our in-residence program.”
Elizabeth Bloodgood, chair of the Department of Political Science, says Heurtel’s insider perspective adds new energy and dynamism to the study of public policy and public administration.
For Heurtel, this residency is an opportunity to give back.
“After five years of active politics in two very demanding and highly visible government portfolios, I am excited to work with distinguished faculty and mentor students at Concordia.”
UPDATE: THE FOLLOWING EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
The Department of Political Science presents a free conversation with Philippe Bourke, president of the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement, and David Heurtel, public administration scholar-in-residence, on February 18, 2019, from 5 to 7 p.m., in Room H-1220 of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), on the Sir George Williams Campus.