For most, a long commute to evening classes at the end of an even longer work day could prove to be a deal buster. Assemblyman Mike Davis ’94 recalls as a treasured time his weekly commute to pursue a master’s degree in public administration at Cal State Northridge.

“It gave me the opportunity to organize my thoughts about the office and to ponder issues we would be discussing in class,” said Davis, who at the time was serving as a senior deputy in then-Los Angeles County Supervisor Yvonne Burke’s 2nd district office.

The 1994 earthquake left its stamp on Davis’ time at Northridge.

“The first semester we were in normal classrooms,” he recalled, “but the second semester classes were held in mobile units, which considerably changed the flavor of the campus.”

Looking for an educational experience that was both informative and practical, Davis found that Christopher Leu, emeritus professor of political science and the Master in Public Administration Program’s former co-director, made sure the lectures could be applied to everyday situations.

“Leu organized wonderful extracurricular activities that included bringing Ted Gaebler, co-author of the bestseller ‘Reinventing Government: How the Entrepreneurial Spirit is Transforming the Public Sector,’ to speak to us,” said Davis.

Davis was elected in 2006 to represent the 48th Assembly District, which encompasses a virtual cornucopia of communities, including Koreatown, University Park, the Coliseum, Wilshire Center, and West Adams.

“The 48th District is a wonderful example of the ethnic richness and diversity that exemplify California. Its different cultures are a microcosm of the state,” he said.

Serving as chair of the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media keeps Davis on his legislative toes. The Assemblyman has found that when basic educational funding is lacking, innovation and the arts suffer conversely.

“I am dedicated to reforming our current educational infrastructure and raising revenues to fund the arts,” said the legislator.

— Julia Venkateswaran

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