News and Events

 Levin Podcast - Society 5.0
Society is rapidly approaching a fifth stage of development that includes emerging disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, multi-sensory transfer, augmented and virtual realities, advanced robotics, and synthetic forms of life. In this episode we are joined by Dr. Nicholas Zingale of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs and Dr. Sasa Drezgic from the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Rijeka, Croatia to discuss implications for how the role of technology will continue to shape our everyday experiences as well as aspirational hopes for a better and more prosperous, fair, and equitable future. 

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Molly Schnoke Featured in News Story about the Effect Home Value has on Property Taxes.
Molly Schnoke, Program Manager of the Levin College's Unger Program, is featured in this Ideastream Public Media audio story: Q & A: What can Cuyahoga County Homeowners Do about Property Valuations? The news story mentions that some Cuyahoga County homeowners recently had sticker shock when the County reassessed home values, and many residents found themselves facing significantly higher values which could result in higher taxes. The news story discusses what homeowners can do in light of the new valuations. Learn more. »

Molly Schnoke Featured in News Story about the Effect Home Value has on Property Taxes.
Molly Schnoke, Program Manager of the Levin College's Unger Program, is featured in this Ideastream Public Media audio story: Q & A: What can Cuyahoga County Homeowners Do about Property Valuations? The news story mentions that some Cuyahoga County homeowners recently had sticker shock when the County reassessed home values, and many residents found themselves facing significantly higher values which could result in higher taxes. The news story discusses what homeowners can do in light of the new valuations. Learn more. »

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Unger Foundation Croatia Trip Report, June 21-July 8, 2021
Dr. Andrej Krickovic, Assistant Professor at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia, Consultant at the Unger Foundation, and External Advisor at Levin College's Unger Program, discusses the Unger Foundation's recent work in Croatia. Read more. »

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2021 International Scientific Conference | Economics of Digital Transformation
On June 23-25, 2021, the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business held the Economics of Digital Transformation Conference in Croatia. The main topic of the conference for 2021 was "Economics and Business of the post COVID-19 World." The Unger Program at Levin College is a proud partner of this conference.

Dr. Nicholas Zingale, Associate Professor at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs was a presenter at the conference.

View Dr. Zingale's presentation, the conference program and the conference website. 

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Professor Awarded Grant in Support of Economics of Digital Transformation Conference
Saša Drezgić PhD, Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Rijeka was awarded a grant from the U.S. Embassy in Croatia as part of their Alumni Grants Program in support of the upcoming Economics of Digital Transformation conference (EDT).

The Alumni Grants Program supports alumni of U.S. Government-sponsored programs and Croatian citizens who have studied at U.S. high schools or universities and supports projects that address a variety of topics including initiatives that: contribute to a more transparent business environment and the improvement of Croatia's investment climate; strengthen ties between U.S. and Croatian businesses and organizations; and provide educational and training programs on artificial intelligence, gaming, and cybersecurity, to name a few.

Dr. Drezgić is an alumnus of the Unger Program at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs. The Program was originally founded in 2002 as the Unger International Program for Local Government Leadership with the mission to catalyze an educational bridge between the Levin College and the University of Rijeka and was a collaborative effort of the College to respond to the consulting, training, research and educational needs of local government leaders in emerging democracies. Today, the program serves to support and foster economic and community development through collaborative research and educational exchanges. Dr. Drezgić continues to regularly engage with the College and works to broaden the relationship between the two institutions. This year's conference will involve faculty from the College as panelists and guest speakers.

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EDT Conference 2021: Economics and Business of the Post COVID-19 World
The aim of the EDT Conference is to address the challenges of fundamental changes of economic theory and practice, which come through the process of digitalization as one of the most prominent global phenomena. The conference will challenge the traditional perspective on economics and explore the disruptive effects of digital transformation. The theme of the 2021 conference is the Economics and Business of the Post COVID-19 World. Learn more: Conference Details | Call for Papers 

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Unger Foundation Croatia Trip Report August 11-28, 2020
For many NGO's and foundations, COVID 19 has disrupted valuable personal and professional relationships that have taken years to build and nurture. The Unger Foundation has been particularly active in Croatia over the last year, supporting Dr. Andrej Krickovic's lecture series at the University of Zagreb last November (funded by an Erasmus Grant), Saša Drezgić's conference on the Economics of Digital Transformation (EDT), which was held online in June, Saša's application for a US Embassy Alumni Grant, and supporting continued collaboration between the Unger Program at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State and the Faculty of Economics and Business of the University of Rijeka. Throughout the pandemic, the Foundation has continued to develop these core projects by working with our Croatian partners online. Read more. »  

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2020 International Scientific Conference | Economics of Digital Transformation: Digitomics
On June 24—26, 2020, the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business held the Economics of Digital Transformation Conference in Croatia. The main topic of the conference for 2020 was "Monetary and Fiscal Policy at the Crossroads." The Unger Program is a proud partner of this conference.

Learn more about the conference and watch two conference panels. The first panel features Dr. Nicholas Zingale, Associate Professor at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University. »

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Molly Schnoke, Program Manager for the Unger Center Featured in Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities Interview
Last fall, Molly Schnoke presented at the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities (CUMA) conference in Philadelphia, PA. At the conference, she was interviewed about the outcomes of CUMU's opportunity youth research.
Watch the video. »

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Levin College Expands Partnership with University of Rijeka through Unger Program
As the Levin College continues to broaden its partnership with the University of Rijeka through Levin's Unger Program, two Levin faculty, Dr. Wendy Kellogg, Professor, and Dr. Tatyana Guzman, Associate Professor, have been appointed to external associate positions with the University of Rijeka's Faculty of Economics and Business. Originally founded in 2002 as the Unger International Program for Local Government Leadership, the program's mission was to catalyze an educational bridge between the Levin College and the University of Rijeka. In 2010, the College and the Unger Family Foundation began to re-envision a new direction for the program while still remaining true to the long-standing work and history of the Ungers in both Cleveland and Croatia. Today, the program serves to support and foster economic and community development through independent research and civic education and engagement.

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Unger Program International Expertise
The Unger Program serves to support and foster economic and community development through collaborative research and educational exchanges.The program engages with the Center for Economic Development at Cleveland State University and the Center for Support to Smart and Sustainable Cities at the University of Rijeka. Recent projects have been completed in the following areas: Energy, Oil and Gas Shale Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Territorial-Administrative Reform of Local Government, Reform of the Tax System, Regulation on Private Public Partnerships (PPPs), Regional and Local Economic Development, and Developing Business Friendly Local Governments. Read more. » 

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Smart City Presentation at the National Center for Smart Growth
On September 26, 2019 Dr. Sasa Drezgic, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Rijeka and Dr. Nicholas Zingale, Associate Professor at the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University presented their work on smart cities at the University of Maryland's National Center for Smart Growth. The visit was organized as part of the ongoing work of the Unger Program and the Internet of Things Collaborative. Read more. »

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Where in the World is IOTC? – IOT Collaborative
Smart Governments, Regions, and Cities" was the focus for the 2019 Economics of Digital Transformation (EDT) Conference. Organized annually by the University of Rijeka, the conference was held June 2nd-4th in Opatija, Croatia. Local and international attendees came together to address the challenges. Read more. »

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Humanitarian Engineering, Disrupted Communities, and Digital Hubs
When it comes to technology in the community – who or what should lead? The wonders of technology and engineering have always shaped the human condition. Technological breakthroughs not only power our imaginations but also create space for ingenuity that demands a response. As we continue the march into the digital world of the internet of things, smart cities, and hyper-connected communities in what ways can we keep humanity at the center? What processes and governance approaches should be considered? What can we learn from local, national and international experts on best practices? In what ways is our region involved and preparing? This event featured Dr. Kevin M. Passino, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Ohio State University. Nick Zingale, Associate Professor, Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University and Sasa Drezgic, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Rijeka, Croatia were panelists for this event.

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The Changing Landscape of the Economic Development Field: Resources and Relationships
International Economic Development Council (IEDC) serves city, county, and state economic development organizations along with their public-private partners as they try to create, retain, and expand jobs, grow tax base, and enhance wealth. IEDC is renowned for its leadership in professionalizing and diversifying the field of economic development. This event featured Jeff Finkle, President and CEO of IEDC. Sasa Drezgic, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Rijeka, Croatia was a panelist, and Iryna Lendel, Research Associate Professor and Director, Center for Economic Development, Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs, Cleveland State University we the event's moderator. 

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Dr. Beth Nagy, Cleveland State University ; Sasa Drezgic, University of Rijeka presented a paper at Urban Affairs Association (UAA) 2019 in Los Angeles
In April 2019, Dr. Beth Nagy, Sasa Drezgic presented a paper at Urban Affairs Association (UAA) as part of the Unger program activities. Representing the Comparative Perspective on U.S, European and Asian Concept and Practice of Smart Cities Development and Cleveland State University at the 49th annual conference. Read more. »

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Professor Nicholas Zingale attends the 2019 Economics of Digital Transformation (EDT) Conference in Croatia
In June 2019, Professor Zingale attended the Economics of Digital Transformation (EDT) Conference in Croatia. Representing the Internet of Things Collaboration (IOTC) and Cleveland State University at the conference, he helped to reestablish research relationships and faculty connections with the University of Rijeka. Read more. »

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2018 Columbus Seminar

Just recently back from spring break in Columbus, Levin College Professor Joe Mead shared about the Columbus Seminar on his blog. For 35 years, the Columbus Seminar has provided career development and experiential opportunities in state government to students at Cleveland State University. The Columbus Seminar is a four-credit field course in state government that takes place during spring break.

"We study the institutions, the people, and the incentives, behind state policy, from all three branches of government," explained Columbus Seminar Professor Joe Mead. "Course alumni serve in the legislature, the executive branch, in state and local government, as policy wonks, and as advocates."

Sasa Drezgic, Associate Professor, University of Rijeka, Croatia; attended the Columbus seminar.

Pictured left to right: Sasa Drezgic, Associate Professor, University of Rijeka, Croatia; Levin College Professor Joe Mead.

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Levin College Forum Brown Bag Lunch

Thursday, August 31, 2017
12:00 – 1:00 pm
Bonda Board Room 254
Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs
1717 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Brown Bag Presentation 

Speaker:
Dr. Sasa Drezgic
Professor of Economics
University of Rijeka

About the Program:
This September the Levin College hosted visiting scholar Dr. Sasa Drezgic Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Rijeka in Croatia. Dr. Drezgic first visited the College back in 2007 on a 4-month study visit while completing his dissertation.

During his most recent visit Dr. Drezgic met with a number of Urban Affairs faculty and gave a presentation detailing the Center for Local Economic Development at the University of Rijeka. The Center, modeled after the College's own Center for Economic Development works to provide targeted scientific and practical studies in the area of local economic development, facilitate international and national cooperation, champion analyiticaly based political decisionmaking and to take an active role in development activities across Croatia.

His return to Cleveland is part of the Unger Program of the College, which was founded in 2002 as the Unger International Program for Local Government Leadership. The program's mission was to catalyze an educational bridge between the Levin College and the University of Rijeka. Today, the program serves to support and foster economic and community development through independent research and civic education and engagement.

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Russia's Challenge: A Declining Power's Quest for Status 

Monday, March 21, 2016
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Bonda Board Room 254
Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs
1717 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Brown Bag Presentation 

Speaker:
Dr. Andrej Krickovic
Assistant Professor
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
Higher School of Economics, Moscow

About the Program:
Russia has emerged as the most assertive challenger to the US-led global international order. From Syria and the Middle East to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine relations between Moscow and Washington have deteriorated to the point where commentators are arguing that the two countries now find themselves in a new "Cold War".  Professor of International Relation at the Higher School of Economics in Moscow (U C Berkeley PhD and Harvard University Davis Center Post-doc) Andrej Krickovic will discuss his latest book project, which looks at the ways in which Russia's concerns about its declining international status are driving it to challenge US leadership and the impact this is having on global politics.