About the Department

We continue to enhance our relationship with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, co-sponsor of our MPA Program and an important partner with us in building excellence in public service in Georgia, across the country, and now around the world.

GEORGIA STUDENTS FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (GSPA)

The Georgia Students for Public Administration (GSPA) strive to help all students of public administration and policy at the University of Georgia build social and academic networks during and after their tenure at the University. By fostering friendship and by integrating socially and academically our diverse student body, we hope to encourage students not just to learn their chosen profession but also to form lasting bonds with their peers, faculty, staff, and community

GSPA Officers (2024-2025)

Caleb Bagley, President
Moctar Ayeva, Vice President
Dorian Philpot, Treasurer
Aislinn Beak, Secretary/Historian
Livia Epnett, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer

Stay up to date with what’s going on with GSPA and more ways to get involved on their Instagram & Facebook page. For questions contact: [email protected]

UGA INTERNATIONAL CITY/COUNTY MANAGMENT ASSOCIATION (ICMA)

The University of Georgia is proud to host a local student chapter of ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. ICMA is the leading organization of local government professionals dedicated to creating and sustaining thriving communities throughout the world. UGA’s ICMA Student Chapter charges no annual dues and is open to any student who would like to pursue their interest in local government.

The purpose of this organization is to:

1. Introduce and integrate students to the local government management profession.
2. Familiarize students with ICMA, the premier local government management association, its members, resources, and policies.
3. Establish connections between local government management theories, practices, and applications through tangible and actual examples.
4. Cultivate a learning community where members actively share experiences and learn from one another.
5. Provide resources and opportunities for students to increase their professional knowledge with local government practitioners.

ICMA Officers (2024-2025)
Whit Buchanan, President
Jason Jones, Vice President
Kendall Brantley, Events Co-Chair
Jessie Penouilh, Communications Chair
Finance Chair – TBD
Events Co-Chair – TBD

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eric Zeemering

You can follow the UGA Chapter of ICMA on Facebook, Instagram (@uga_icma) and LinkedIn.
For questions contact: [email protected]

GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (GFOA) – University of Georgia Chapter

The UGA Student Chapter of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) is devoted to providing professional development opportunities to students interested in public finance. Members will have the opportunity to meet, connect, and network with field practitioners and other students pursuing careers in public finance.

GFOA Chapter Officers (2024-2025)

Nishat Sial, President
Richard Kertscher, Vice President

Faculty Advisers

Tracy Arner, Financial Management Program Manager – Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Katherine Willoughby, Golembiewski Professor of Public Administration

Learn more about GFOA at their website https://www.gfoa.org/

For questions or event information, please contact Rebekah Branch at
[email protected]

YOUNG NONPROFIT PROFESSIONALS NETWORK (YNPN) at UGA

The Young Nonprofit Professionals Network (YNPN) at UGA is dedicated to activating the next generation of emerging leaders in the social sector who are currently students at the University of Georgia to fulfill our vision of stronger communities supported by a diverse and powerful social sector. Through networking, volunteering, general meetings, speaker series, and various other opportunities we connect our members to professionals in the social sector and their organizations.

YNPN Officers 2021-2022

Phoebe Milledge, President
Justin Mullis, Vice President
Wakesho Lenjo, Treasurer
Regina Rubalcava, Secretary
Sara Spradley, Social Media Coordinator
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rebecca Nesbit

Stay up to date with what’s going on with YNPN at UGA on their Instagram page. New Members fill the membership form. To sign-up for YNPN upcoming events, visit the events registration page.

Contact YNPN via email at: [email protected]

PI ALPHA ALPHA

Pi Alpha Alpha is the national honor society for public administration students, administered by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.

Eligibility criteria for MPA and PhD students:

• Have maintained a GPA of at least 3.7
• Have completed at least fifty percent of the required course work (a minimum of 18 semester hours)

Eligible students are notified each January in advance of a spring induction ceremony.

Pi Alpha Alpha Officers

Courtney Goodman , 2024/2025 president
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Eric Zeemering

For questions about Pi Alpha Alpha, please contact faculty adviser, Dr. Eric Zeemering at [email protected]

SPIA HONOR SOCIETY OF DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND EQUITY

The SPIA Honor Society of Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity is a student organization that is open to both undergraduate and graduate students! We plan on hosting a speaker series, professional development workshops, and create a mentorship program. This is an all student-led organization that will not be treated as a solution for the racist and problematic behavior of the university or SPIA. Instead, our mission is to be an on-going vehicle for change that students and faculty can come together for a better student body. Please use the link below to follow all our social media platforms!

linktree: https://linktr.ee/SPIADiversity

DOCTORAL STUDENTS FOR PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

DSPA is a professional group that organizes and coordinates social and professional opportunities for Public Administration and Policy PhD students.

DSPA Officers (2020-2021)

Brianna Yoder, President

For more information, please contact Brianna Yoder [email protected]

SPIA GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION

The Graduate Student Association at the School of Public & International Affairs (SPIA GSA) is primarily concerned with the interests and representation of graduate students across all departments at SPIA. We are a collective of students from Political Science, International Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration who are invested in collaboration across departments. Our activities include bringing in experts to share with all students and faculty at SPIA, surveying student interests and elevating graduate student voices in SPIA decision-making processes, and organizing social events to promote inclusivity at SPIA.

Contact: [email protected]

Got questions? Send us an email and we’ll get back to you with answers as soon as possible! You can also contact us at 706-542-9660. For academic advisement questions, please call 706-542-2961.

Contact information for the Department of Public Administration and Policy is listed below. For information relating to the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA) including the Dean’s office, development, alumni relations, public relations and media inquiries and IT support, please email [email protected].

MAILING ADDRESS

Department of Public Administration and Policy
School of Public and International Affairs
The University of Georgia
204 Baldwin Hall,
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602

Phone: (706) 542-9660
Fax: (706) 583-0610

MPA AND PHD ADMISSIONS

Department of Public Administration and Policy
Attn: Admissions Office
204 Baldwin Hall
The University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-9660
Fax: (706) 583-0610

DEPARTMENT HEAD OFFICE

DEPARTMENT HEAD

Dr. J. Edward Kellough
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
204B Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-2970
Fax: (706) 583-0610
[email protected]

ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST

Rebecca Blakeney
[email protected]

OFFICE LEAD

Mallory Osner
204 Baldwin Hall

Telephone: (706) 542-9660
Fax: (706) 583-0610
[email protected]

PROGRAM DIRECTORS & COORDINATORS

MPA PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dr. Eric Zeemering
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
202A Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-2962
Fax: (706) 583-0610
[email protected]

MPA PROGRAM ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR

Aaron Redman
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
204D Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: ( 706) 713-2055
[email protected]

GRADUATE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIOR

Kristin Lawrence 
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
207 Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: (706) 542-3510
[email protected]

MPA ADVISING AND RECRUITMENT ASSISTANT

Presley Morello
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
203A Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615

Telephone: 706-542-2961
[email protected]

CAREER SERVICES AND RECRUITMENT ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

(Incoming)

(706) 542-9583

PHD PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dr. Katherine Willoughby
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
201B Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615
[email protected]

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