By Istihad Rabbi
International American University
The Los Angeles-based International American University has conferred West Haven Fair Rent Commission Chairman and Justice of the Peace Steven R. Mullins with the degree of Doctor of Public Policy Honorus Causa at the school’s convocation exercises in Ontario, CA on June 7.
“This momentous occasion underscores Dr. Mullins’ commitment to public policy and community advocacy in the City of West Haven and beyond; marking a significant milestone in his distinguished calling,” said IAU President Dr. Ryan Doan prior to bestowing the honor to Mullins.
Wearing a black doctoral gown, accessorized with a blue satin stole bearing the Connecticut State Coat-of-Arms, Mullins, 50, was vested with a peacock blue hood, denoting his academic degree discipline by Professor Dr. Alex Sherm, Chairman of IAU’s Management Doctoral Program. Following his vesting, Mullins was invited to deliver the keynote convocation address to his fellow honorees and an assembly of around 80 faculty, students and guests.
During his 11-minute address, Mullins shared invaluable insight into local government leadership, highlighting the City of West Haven, and reflecting on his formative experiences in his birth town of Glenwood, AL.
“Local level government and the officials that lead these communities should not be forgotten,” Mullins said. “We are fighting in the trenches.”
Quoting former United States House of Representatives Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neil, D-Massachusetts; “All politics is local,”
Mullins spoke about the importance of local municipal government in the everyday lives of residents.
“As a town official, I am not coming up with a peace deal between Zelenskyy and Putin. But what I am doing is bringing together a landlord and tenant to the negotiation table in the City Council Chambers to come to a consensus and a compromise of what is a fair and reasonable rent increase,” Mullins said.
Prior to serving City’s Fair Rent Commission, Mullins served 16 years as Planning and Zoning Commissioner and held the Chairmanship and Vice Chairmanship of the Commission for six years. He has been a West Haven Justice of the Peace since 1999; and was West Haven’s Republican nominee for Mayor in 2009 and 2011.
“It has been my life’s journey and goal to help those in need; rich or poor, black or white, Democrat or Republican,” Mullins said.
Mullins paid tribute to other West Haven leaders, both career and volunteer that work to make the City operate.
“Led by the efforts of our mayor, the Hon. Dorinda A. Borer, West Haven has numerous talented individuals, career and volunteer, both Democrat and Republican and of all backgrounds that work diligently, every day for the betterment of our residents,” he said.
He concluded his remarks by accepting his doctoral diploma on behalf of all West Haven civic leaders, past and present; referring to them as “doctor.”
“Dr. Mullins’ speech inspired his fellow doctoral candidates, urging them to pursue ethical leadership, civic engagement and policy innovation in their respective fields,” Sherm said.
Unlike earned doctorates, honorary doctorates are conferred by universities on individuals that have made major lifetime contributions to a field or discipline. Recipients are entitled to all of the rights, privileges and marks of distinction pertaining to a doctorate degree. Honorary doctorates in law, public policy or public affairs are usually reserved for high-ranking civil officials. “Most would not expect a small-town Commissioner from little West Haven, Connecticut to be presented with this type of honor,” Mullins said.
In an interview following the ceremony, Mullins encouraged young people to always do what is right, even when they don’t think anyone is watching.
“You never know who’s watching you. For me to have received this honor, some people had been observing me for a very long time,” Mullins said. “Be mindful that we live in a very small world.”
Mullins was joined in California by his two adult children, Nora and Christian. His commencement address can be viewed on YouTube in its entirety.