Head of the Centre for the Management of Public and Non-Governmental Organisations at the University of Central Florida (USA). Holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, a master’s degree and a doctorate in public administration. Author of more than fifty scientific publications. Specialist of the Fulbright Program. Mainly interested in government-citizen relations, cooperation and networking public administration, and citizen empowerment.
What motivates you, inspires you to work, to create new projects?
In my work, I refer to the following saying I heard from an American politician, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege to live on this earth.” It’s a simple but a strong idea. The goal of all my efforts in the academic field, teaching, writing, and research is to bring some benefits to other people and places. I am motivated by the desire to see another person succeed – the success of another is also my success. So, if they succeed, I’m inspired to continue my work I’m encouraged by students who bring so much energy and passion to work into my life. In such cases, I also have to radiate energy and a willingness to work myself, so that we can all inspire each other. Lastly, I’m motivated by the desire to match the reputation of my former mentors as well. Professor Terry Cooper, who supervised my studies at the University of Southern California, is a wonderful person. As he retires soon, I’m organising a special conference in his honour, during which presentations will be given by his former students and their own students. I owe a lot to this man and I want to introduce the public to his work and life.
What do you think about the young people of today? What values should be important to them? Is volunteering one of them?
There are certain core values that unite all people. They should be taught to everyone starting from a young age to university and beyond. Among them are the values and beliefs that promote respect, patience, the ability to adapt, interest in other people and cultures, allowing people we interact with to feel safe and free to express themselves. They are different from the values and beliefs that separate, divide our society and communities into opposing sides. For example, instead of appreciating change and our differences, we’re afraid of them. We believe that people living in poverty are bad or lazy, followed by such attitude, these people cannot improve their economic situation, it’s difficult for them to be socially accepted. While aiming to be the best in all areas, we no longer know how to be rejoice in the success of another, more gifted person Young people should strive to resist actions and attitudes that oppose us. It is not easy, given the information on current social media and listening to the rhetoric of the world’s political leaders that causes strife. Volunteering is a really strong step in building bridges between opposing societies, connecting people from different backgrounds, with different experiences, and encouraging them to work together and focus on a common goal: a clean environment, leaming. social well-being, cultural expression and similar fields.
What other hobbies do you have? What drew you to these activities?
I have three main hobbies that allow me to escape, break loose from long, often tiring, working hours at university. The first one is to hike in the woods, often in places where I do not see anyone else for hours. I like to just “disappear“ for the whole day and spend time without my computer and smartphone. Second, I read historical and social fiction books. Sometimes it’s hard to find the time for that because I have to devote a lot of time to achieve my academic goals, but I try to spend at least 45 minutes every morning before breakfast reading. I often wake up at 5:00 or 5:30 in the morning to read but I have to admit that sometimes after sitting down I fall asleep again! My third hobby is chess. I love collecting them. I currently have chess boards from ten different places in the world, and every time I travel, I try to add to this collection. My favorite set of chess is from South Africa – it’s incredible. handmade. I like to play with students in my office at the university, when they come to discuss the subjects they are taking or their research. I have to say that I’m not the best chess player, but I always win against my students. I’m starting to think that they intentionally let me win! You have been living between the USA and Lithuania for a long time.
What changes have you noticed in Lithuania during this time? Which country do you consider yourself a citizen of?
I visited Lithuania for the first time in 2014. It was a short visit, I wanted to see the country where my grandparents and great-grandparents lived. My grandmother from my mother’s side was the last of our family to leave Lithuania, She moved to the USA in 1938, when she was 13 years old. American side of my family had not come back until 2014 Both my father’s and mother’s families have Lithuanian roots, such as the surnames Ginelevičius and Pupelis. In 2017 I was able to find my grandmother’s relatives. They all live in the Kaunas region. I’m still trying to find other members of my family. Even without legal citizenship, I consider myself an “ethnical” citizen of both Lithuania and the United States. For this reason, I believe that it is my responsibility to contribute to the progress, citizenship, culture, and prosperity of both countries. I’m very happy to be a bridge between these cultures, given my role in higher education. I have noticed some changes in Lithuania, especially in Kaunas. Since 2014 I have improved my reading skills in Lithuanian, but I don’t speak it very well yet. Nevertheless, I think that in the last few years Kaunas has become much more open to foreigners – more and more restaurants and cafes present their menus in English, and more employees in shops speak English. These are really positive changes, especially if we want to take advantage of academic exchanges. However, if I want to get things done at the bank, I still have to prepare to speak Lithuanian in advance.
To meet the other faculty members please visit: fssah.ktu.edu/teachers
