For Emily Bell, some of the most rewarding moments happen outside of the formal classroom, when students discover how their interests, skills, and passions can be transformed into meaningful public service careers. As she steps into her new role as director of the University of Georgia’s Master of Public Administration program, Bell is eager to help even more students find their paths.
Bell, an assistant professor of public administration and policy as well as a faculty fellow at the Benson-Bertsch Center for International Trade and Security, began her role as MPA Director on August 1, stepping into a leadership position that aligns closely with the work she has spent her career pursuing.
“My interest has always been in serving the public and helping solve public problems,” Bell said. “Whether that was through public service directly or through academia, I wanted to contribute in a meaningful way.”
Her path to public administration was not quite traditional. After an injury ended her plans as a music major, Bell shifted her academic focus to Latin American studies and developed a deep interest in environmental issues. Those interests eventually led her to pursue an MPA and later a Ph.D., combining her passions in public service, research, and conservation.
Today, Bell’s research examines how people and organizations make decisions under conditions of uncertainty. Much of her work focuses on water governance and resource management, exploring how communities collaborate to address challenges involving public infrastructure, environmental change, and long-term planning.
“The big theme across my research is how people make decisions and work together when there is uncertainty or risk involved,” Bell said. “Whether it’s water management, public infrastructure, or policy planning, I’m interested in how people think, how they collaborate, and what comes from those decisions.”
Bell is equally passionate about her work in the classroom.
A two-time recipient of the MPA Professor of the Year Award, she says the most rewarding part of teaching is helping students connect their interests to meaningful public service careers.
“I really love seeing what students are passionate about, what excites them, and what problems they want to solve,” Bell said. “Then we can work together to build the skills and knowledge to help them reach those goals.”
Bell describes the learning environment in the MPA program as highly collaborative, with students, faculty, and staff working together to prepare graduates for careers in government, nonprofit organizations, and public service leadership. She encourages students to bring their own experiences into the classroom, helping them learn not only from faculty but from one another.
As MPA Director, Bell hopes to build on the program’s existing strengths while ensuring students are prepared for a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
“I think one of our greatest strengths is how connected we are,” Bell said. “We have a strong culture of public service, supportive faculty, engaged students, and an incredible network of alumni and practitioners. Those connections help us stay grounded in what communities need and what employers are looking for.”
Looking ahead, Bell is excited to help guide the program through a period of significant change across the public sector while maintaining the core values that define public service.
“The landscape is changing quickly,” she said. “Our job is to stay connected, stay adaptable, and make sure students have the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to serve their communities and excel in their careers.”
For Bell, the new title is ultimately an extension of the work she enjoys most. Whether from the front classroom or in a one-on-one conversation about career goals, she sees her role in the MPA program as an opportunity to help students identify the issues they care about, develop the skills to address them, and build careers dedicated to serving others. Those moments, she says, are a reminder of why public service education matters.
