Contact Program Contact Robert Dibie, Ph.D. School of Public and Environmental Affairs 765) 455-9417 rdibie@iuk.edu Media Contact Mary Ellen Stephenson OCM (765) 455-9414 mestephe@iuk.edu

Workshop explores ethics in public leadership

KOKOMO, Ind.—IU Kokomo’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs (SPEA) and the City of Peru will present a Public Service Ethics Workshop on Thursday, January 18, at Peru City Hall. The 9 a.m.–4 p.m. workshop will examine ethical standards of conduct for senior/middle managers in government, business, and nonprofit organizations.

“Responsible administrators must be able to act in ways consistent with their role as guardians of the public good and trust,” said Professor of Public Affairs Robert Dibie, Ph.D., workshop coordinator and assistant dean of SPEA at Kokomo. Administrators serving at local, state, and federal levels—as well as senior police officers, sheriffs, and their deputies—should find the workshop lessons relevant to their duties, he said.

The workshop will look at legal, moral, and public safety aspects of unethical work behaviors, ranging from distrust and favoritism to theft and falsifying information. It will also explore how a leader’s personal values can influence his or her staff, Dibie said. “A leader’s personal integrity, fairness, and honesty can dynamically transform the level of public service provided by entire departments and organizations.”

Peru Mayor James Walker, a SPEA Advisory Board member, arranged the workshop location. Involved in public service for Peru for two decades, including 12 years on the city council and 3 years as mayor, Walker knows that public leaders are held to very high expectations of ethical conduct.

Public sector professionals can use the workshop to “refresh” their understanding of “the ethical mindset,” Walker said, and to review state and federal laws governing their actions. “It’s always good to improve and re-educate yourself, to see if you’re continuing to do things right and make sure that your decisions are sound,” the mayor said.

Having faculty from IU Kokomo SPEA present the workshop “adds substantial credibility,” to the training, Walker said. “These are educators who conduct a lot of research in public affairs and management, coming here to share their knowledge with us.”

Workshop registration is $125 per participant and must be received by January 8. Contact SPEA at (765) 455-9417.