Todd Franzen is a first-year student at the University of Delaware, pursuing an MPA degree with a specialization in state and local management.  His issues of interest include transportation planning, city management, and policy work. 

Prior to graduate school, Todd worked in the public sector for eight years.  Most recently, Todd worked as the Community Educator for Gift of Life Donor Program, the nonprofit organ and tissue donation program serving the Delaware Valley.  In this capacity, Todd arranged community events, delivered public presentations, and organized grass-roots campaigns.  While at Gift of Life, Todd also served on national and state committees that looked at identifying and replicating best practices in public education of organ and tissue donation.  Todd also has extensive experience working in politics, including employment with U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) for over three years.

Academically, Todd majored in Leadership as an undergraduate, which focused on interpersonal relationships, effective communication techniques, and leadership training.

BS, University of Nebraska – Lincoln, 2000, Ag Education – Leadership Option

September 2007–Present
Research Assistant, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware,
Newark, Del.

January 2005–July 2007
Community Education Coordinator, Gift of Life Donor Program, Philadelphia, Penn.

September–November 2004
Field Operative, Republican National Committee, Philadelphia, Pa.

August 2003–August 2004
Field Representative, U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R.-Neb.), Omaha, Neb.

August 2001–August 2003
State Scheduler, U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R.-Neb.), Omaha, Neb.

March–August 2001
Assistant to the State Director, U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R.-Neb.), Omaha, Neb.

August 1999-December 2000
Staff Assistant, Nebraska Secretary of State Scott Moore, Lincoln, Neb.

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications; experienced public speaker

National Award from Health Resource and Services Administration for Excellence through Workplace Partnership Challenge, 2007

National Award from Health Resource and Services Administration for Excellence through Collegiate Outreach Challenge, 2006

Gift of Life Donor Program Employee of the Quarter, 2006

Presenter, Donate Life National Conference, Dallas, Tex., 2007
Attendee, Donate Life National Conference, Boston, Mass., 2006
Attendee, Donate Life National Conference, Los Angeles, Calif., 2005

A Feasibility Study of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Delaware, 2007
The State of Delaware is experiencing increasing volumes of traffic and traffic congestion.  In addition, the state has a increasing proportion of an aging population, as well as a high volume of retirees moving to the area.  The changing demographics and traffic volumes will produce greater demands for transportation services.  This project will use a comparative review of selected communities that have successfully implemented BRT to determine the feasibility of similar implementation of BRT in Delaware.

Promoting Organ and Tissue Donation in the Workplace, Donate Life National Conference, Dallas, Tex., 2007