As the Santa Monica College Public Policy Institute’s 1st Annual Spring Symposium began Tuesday, May 15, it announced that SMC is the first and only community college in the state to offer an Associate in Arts and Certificate of Achievement in Public Policy.

With approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office, SMC offered its first public policy classes this semester.

The Public Policy A.A. and Certificate of Achievement complement the work of the institute, led by former State Sen. Sheila Kuehl. The institute “opens the doors of government to students with an interest in participating in the development, analysis, and implementation of public policies from their inception to their enactment.

The symposium, which ends Thursday, is comprised of speakers, panel discussions and a film, “Education and the Pursuit of Happiness,”

Aside from its academic component, the institute presents free nonpartisan community programs exploring key economic, social and political issues.

Ironically, one of Santa Monica City Hall’s primary problems is its
continuing inability to develop coherent public policies that reflect residents’ priorities.

For more information about the Public Policy Institute and/or the newly established Associate in Arts Degree or Certificate of Achievement, please contact Dr. Richard Tahvildaran-Jesswein, PPI Associate Director, at PPI@smc.edu, or by calling (310) 434-3541.