Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

7-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Department

Public Administration

First Advisor

Cecilio Ortiz-Garcia

Second Advisor

Marla Perez-Lugo

Third Advisor

George Atisa

Abstract

This thesis explores graduate student perceptions from the Public Affairs and Security Studies (PASS) program at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) regarding the role of universities in addressing interconnected environmental, economic, political, and social challenges, described here as a “polycrisis” (Lawrence et al., 2024). Using a mixed-methods approach, the study surveyed 42 students through Likert-scale questions and open-ended prompts. Results show students view economic inequality, political instability, and threats to democracy as the most pressing societal issues. While environmental issues were seen as important, they ranked lower in urgency. Students expect universities to address these challenges through education, workforce development, and community engagement, yet many feel current efforts fall short due to political influence, financial priorities, and lack of clear direction. Still, students believe universities can be powerful agents of change and envision institutions that are community-focused, action-oriented, and supportive of student advocacy. The study underscores the importance of centering student perspectives in shaping higher education's role during times of crisis.

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Copyright 2025 Susana Maria Ruiz Sors. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3275043284

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