August Ruhnka
Graduate Researcher
- Denver Colorado
- 720.402.1316
- aruhnka@gmail.com
I have presented reports to senior leadership by extracting meaningful data on attrition rates, retention, motivation, geographic interest, and emerging sectors of employment.
I have applied financial management concepts of budgeting including time value of money, risk analysis, the theory of valuation, capital budgeting, cost of capital. Additionally I maintain advanced knowledge of database management, statistics and data analysis for effective evaluations, marketing, and development (predominantly using PowerPoint and Excel).
Concurrently, as a research lead for the City of Denver’s Department of Environmental Health I have investigated current municipal and state regulations on Odor emissions regulations, interviewing stake holder and evaluating municipal reporting data to identify trends. I have used OSHA General Industry and Construction exposure limits. I have made appropriate recommendations to mitigate risks, reviews and verifications of odor complaints. I have also assisted the investigators of the Environmental Quality Division in completion of five deliverables to support the Mayor’s Office proposed change in environmental regulations
As a graduate assistant, I have assisted prospective and current students and alumni in application process, financial aid, fellowships, and student health insurance. I have made recommendations and exercised judgement with sensitive and confidential information on human resources issues. I have processed 34 evaluations and more than 150 student action reports using a working knowledge of university policies and procedures. I have provided 14 recommendations to expand the capabilities and systems of prospective and current student tracking to report on issues such as retention and motivation.
Department of Environmental Health. Conducted policy research and best practices review to identify 5 tools to reduce multiple industrial odor emissions in time-honored immigrant communities along I-70 corridor. Included analysis of all odor complaints in the metro Denver Area from 2004-2015.
Honors Thesis, Architecture. Chronicled the history of Denver’s Sakura Square and the preservation of Japanese culture as a contextual response to WWII internment and 1969 demolishing of downtown by the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. Proposed a site-specific cultural center for a neglected commercial space.
History of Modern Architecture Thesis: Examined literature and the economic impact of Denver’s Civic Center Park after construction of the Denver Art Museum in 1971 and the potential for cultural and economic stimulation.
Architectural Archives of the University of Pennsylvania: launched 6 exhibitions with multi-disciplinary team of archeologists, art historians and architects.
Adobe CSS, CAD, Excel, Power Point. Combine research and design background to synthesize data, reconstruct information, and incorporate that into a effective presentation.
Experienced in logic, data and text functions. Includes financial scenario analysis and what-fi anaylsis. Other examples include applying data validation, array functions, concatenate, H and V Lookup, pivot tables and fincial modeling.
Chronicled 12+ diplomatic reports for higher education sector and potential for collaboration with the university.
Currently completing final thesis for the selective accelerated MPA program. 36 semester units. Expected graduation July 2, 2015.
Developed the capabilities to become a committed and qualified educator while studying collaborative, reflective, and measurable learning experiences for teaching. 250+ hours of classroom work and 12 semester units.
Program combined required courses in environmental design and architecture to prepare for specialization in the field in the areas of architectural design and representation, architectural technologies and building performance, architectural history, and society and culture. 36 semester units.
Grant Proposal and Presentation
Budget Excel Analysis and Memorandum
Denver Guest Commentary
Research memorandums