Research papers from a group of PPAD students and faculty member are published for the latest issue of Online Journal of Rural and Urban Research (theme: Economic Development in Distressed Communities, vol.6, no.1 (2016). Click on the title of the paper for downloading.
Mr. Ryan Brown (MPPA in 2015; 1st in the top row pic) and Professor Jae-Young Ko (2nd in the top row pic) conducted a correlation study in explaining the poverty issue in Mississippi (title: A correlation analysis of poverty with race, education, and economic well-being in Mississippi, and policy alternatives). Mr. Alan Branson (PhD; 3rd in the top row pic), Ms. LaTonya Curley (PhD; 4th in the top pic), Ms. Jennifer Hicks-McGowan (PhD; now shown in pic), and Mr. Christopher Roby (PhD; 1st in the second row pic) worked on payday lending practices in the Metro-Jackson area (title: An assessment of payday lending practices in the Metro-Jackson area, Mississippi, and potential policy responses)
Mr. John Proctor (PhD; 2nd in the second row pic) and professor Jae-Young Ko analyzed roles of local NGO in resolving food desert issue using a case study of community garden (title: Food insecurity in the South: A case study of food desert identification and community-based solution in Hattiesburg, Mississippi).
Mr. James Thompson (MPPA in 2015; 3rd in the second row pic) and professor Jae-Young Ko analyzed the policy factors in green job creations through a comparative study (title: A comparative assessment of green economy growth among five State capital cities and policy recommendations in the United States).
Ms. Sheryl Bacon (PhD; 4th in the second row pic) explored her idea on utilizing teacher loan forgiveness programs in reducing student loans, while enhancing human capital in depressed communities (title: Human capital enhancement in depressed communities by utilizing teacher loan forgiveness programs in Mississippi).
Mr. Cedric Coates (MPPA; last in pic) suggested his ideas of financing infrastructure projects for the City of Jackson, MS (title: Challenges in securing financial resources on aging infrastructure in Jackson, Mississippi).
Finally, Professor Jae-Young Ko, with professor John Day at LSU, advocated utilizing ecosystem services as a way to improve the EPA regulation compliance without causing significant financing burdens to economically depressed local communities (title: Complying the EPA regulation of wastewater treatment utilizing ecosystem services of natural wetlands as a component of wastewater treatment system in economically depressed communities in Mississippi)
Congratulations, Job well-done!!!
The publications are based on their presentations for the JSU Public Policy Student Symposium. The symposium is designed to 1) increase students' independent research skills, 2) enhance students' skills of public communications in a professional setting, and 3) encourage students to improve their writing skills. The event has been held at a final week of each semester since fall 2013.
