A graduate of Western Illinois University, Drew Knab is working toward obtaining his MPA with a concentration in city management. As a student at Western Illinois University, he quickly developed an interest in pursuing a career in public service, largely because of his activities both inside and outside of the university. During his junior year, Drew was selected to participate in the Learning to Lead program, which focuses on developing leadership and management skills during an intensive 12-credit-hour summer program. Outside of the university, Drew was a field intern for the 2004 congressional campaign of Melissa Bean and later a legislative affairs intern in her congressional office.  After multiple internships in the political and administrative realm, he realized his desire to formulate and implement policy solutions at the local level.

As a first-year research assistant working for the Planning Services Group at the Institute for Public Administration, Drew was involved in several projects under the direction of IPA Senior Policy Scientist Ed O’Donnell, AICP. Drew was principally involved with the Shared-Use Paths and Sidewalks: Safety, Security and Maintenance project, which was aimed at analyzing Delaware’s off-road facilities. He was responsible for the literature review portion of this project, which involved analyzing and summarizing moare than 50 pieces of literature. In addition to the literature review, Drew coordinated the interview component of the project, which involved interviewing 13 experts on pedestrian facilities. Following the completion of the literature reviews and interviews, a policy forum was held on March 21, 2007, on the University of Delaware’s campus. At the forum, Drew gave a Best Practices Presentation and facilitated a breakout session on safety-related solutions.

This past summer Drew worked as Mayoral Fellow at the City of Chicago. Working in the Mayor’s Office with city staff and other graduate students provided Drew with valuable insights into urban management and policy.  As a fellow, Drew worked on urban transportation policy, planning and development issues, re-entry initiatives, and water policy.  Drew analyzed policy initiatives, produced policy recommendations, and gave presentations to Mayoral staff.  This experience reinforced Drew’s desire to pursue a career in local government.

Academically, Drew has taken core coursework in financial management, management decision-making, as well as other core public-management coursework. He has written papers on increasing transit ridership, urban government homeless policies, and cost-effectiveness analysis.

BA, Western Illinois University 2006, Political Science

Summer 2007
Mayoral Fellow, Mayor’s Office, Chicago, Ill.

September 2006–present
Research Assistant, Institute for Public Administration, University of Delaware, Newark, Del.

Summer 2006
Post-Sale Assistant, Fisher and Shapiro, LLC, Northbrook, Ill.

2005–2006
President, Alpha Delta Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma National Fraternity, Macomb, Ill.

June–August 2005
Legislative Affairs Intern, The Office of Representative Melissa Bean, Washington, D.C.

July–August 2005
Field Intern, Melissa Bean for Congress, Barrington, Ill.

June 2005
Democratic National Committee, Grassroots Inc., Field Manager, Chicago, Ill.

June–August 2003
Republican National Committee, Finance Intern, Washington, D.C.

Microsoft Office

Wayne N. Thompson Scholar Award, 2006

Western Illinois Centennial Honors College, 2006

Interfraternity Council President of the Year, 2006

Top Speaker Kansas Novice Debate Tournament, 2006

Learning to Lead Fellow, 2005

Alpha Delta Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma Brother of the Year, 2005

Ronald W. Roskens Scholar, Alpha Delta, 2005

Semester Honors, 2003-2005

Alpha Delta Chapter New Member of the Year, 2003

Attendee, The Transportation/ Land Use Connection Workshop, John M. Clayton Hall, University of Delaware, May 16, 2007.

Presenter, Sidewalks and Shared-Use Paths Safety, Security and Maintenance, John M. Clayton Hall, University of Delaware, March 21, 2007.

Attendee, Ending Homelessness in Delaware Conference, John M. Clayton Hall, University of Delaware, February 23, 2007.

Presenter, Delaware/Maryland American Planning Association Regional Conference, Wilmington, Delaware, October 2006.

Sidewalks and Shared-Use Paths Safety, Security and Maintenance
In recent years, state, county, and local governments have been promoting and building multi-use pedestrian and bicycle facilities. These facilities include sidewalks, trails, and bike paths. Of increasing concern are the safety, security, and maintenance of these facilities, especially given the public’s growing reliance on them. This project addressed these three areas of concern. It involved an extensive literature search, interviewing of experts in the field, and a public forum.

Summary Report - Sidewalks and Shared-Use Paths: Safety, Security, and Maintenance (1.7MB)