The Department of Public Administration and Policy is a world leader in preparing students for managerial and policy analyst careers in public service and in nonprofit organizations, as well as for careers in academia, while emphasizing the values of ethics and accountability. The department is home to the #6 ranked masters program in public affairs according to US News & World Report.
Faculty members in the department include five members of the National Academy of Public Administration, a Congressionally-charted organization, as well as the current President of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration, the accrediting organization for programs in public administration. Alumni of the department’s degree programs are leaders in public and nonprofit affairs, in universities, and in top research centers both in the US and internationally. The department’s work and activities reach six continents and addresses issues of governance at every level.
With offices in Baldwin Hall, the Department of Public Administration and Policy includes 15 faculty members and over 160 graduate students.
Partnerships
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.
Student Organizations & Professional Groups
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
Rachael Andrews, President
Alison Kaye, Treasurer
Mathilde Carpet, Professional Development Chair
Tiffany Dobbins, Policy Competition Chair
Delicia James, Social Chair
Stay up to date with what’s going on with GSPA and more ways to get involved on their Facebook page. For questions contact: gspa.execboard@gmail.com
UGA International City/County Management 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:
- Introduce and integrate students to the local government management profession.
- Familiarize students with ICMA, the premier local government management association, its members, resources, and policies.
- Establish connections between local government management theories, practices, and applications through tangible and actual examples.
- Cultivate a learning community where members actively share experiences and learn from one another.
- Provide resources and opportunities for students to increase their professional knowledge with local government practitioners.
ICMA Officers
Sara Del Valle, President
Jordan Boyd, Finance Chair
Shayla Lee, Events Chair
Billqeece Naqawe, Communications Chair
Alison Kaye, Secretary
2020 Fall Meetings (Via Zoom):
9/14/2020 5:15pm – 6:15pm
9/29/2020 5:15pm – 6:15pm
10/12/2020 5:15pm – 6:15pm
10/27/2020 5:15pm – 6:15pm
11/9/2020 5:15pm – 6:15pm
11/17/2020 5:15pm – 6:15pm
You can follow the UGA Chapter of ICMA on Facebook or on Instagram.
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) – University of Georgia Chapter
GFOA is a professional organization for public finance officials at any level of government in the US and Canada. GFOA’s mission is to advance excellence in public finance. There are more than 20,000 members in the association, and each member has access to best practice guidance, consulting, networking opportunities, publications (including books, e-books, and periodicals), recognition programs, research, and training opportunities for those in the profession (or looking to go into the profession). The University of Georgia is honored to host the third student chapter of GFOA. There are no annual dues, and each chapter member will get a free membership to GFOA for the first year. The Georgia Government Finance Officers Association is the state chapter of GFOA and is also offering a free one-year membership to the GFOA-UGA Chapter members. Meetings will be held throughout the year to help students access all of that GFOA has to offer, teach, and connect.
GFOA Chapter Officers
Ted Moeller, President
Tasha Sills, Vice President
Alyssa Deslauriers, Secretary
Faculty Advisers
Tracy Arner, Financial Management Program Manager – Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Katherine Willoughby, Golembiewski Professor of Public Administration
2019 Fall Meetings
10/24/2019 – 6 pm, Baldwin Hall, room 202
Future meetings are TBA
Learn more about GFOA at their website https://www.gfoa.org/
For questions about the student chapter, contact Ted Moeller at tedwmoeller@uga.edu
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
Nipuna Ambanpola, President
Shayla Lee, Vice President
Nira Marte, Secretary
Jordan Fleming, Treasurer
Tatmeen Khimani, Co-Social Media Coordinator
Sara Flynn, Co-Social Media Coordinator
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.
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
Sarah Courtney, 2019/20 president
Dr. Eric Zeemering, faculty adviser
For questions about Pi Alpha Alpha, please contact faculty adviser, Dr. Eric Zeemering at eric.zeemering@uga.edu
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
Brianna Yoder, President
For more information, please contact Brianna Yoder brianna.yoder16@gmail.com
Contact Us
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 spia@uga.edu.
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
Dr. Bradley Wright
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
204B Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615
Telephone:
Fax: 706-583-0610
bew@uga.edu
Rebecca Blakeney
Administrative Specialist
Baldwin Hall 204D
rebecca.blakeney@uga.edu
706-542-9660
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: 706-542-2970
Fax: 706-583-0610
eric.zeemering@uga.edu
MPA ADVISOR
Robert Hines
Baldwin Hall 203A
rhines57@uga.edu
706-542-2961
MPA CAREER SERVICES AND RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR
Aaron Redman
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
204C Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615
Telephone: 706-542-9583
Fax: 706-583-0610
Email: aredman@uga.edu
PHD PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Dr. Edward Kellough
Department of Public Administration & Policy
The University of Georgia
207 Baldwin Hall
355 South Jackson Street
Athens, GA 30602-1615
Telephone: 706-542-0488
Fax: 706-583-0610
kellough@uga.edu
ENROLLED STUDENT SERVICES COORDINATOR
Kristin Lawrence
Baldwin Hall 104D
krabney@uga.edu
Telephone: (706) 542-3510
