Master of Public Administration News and Information

It might be argued that the public sector is so different that generic or private sector models of administration and management are irrelevant to its operations. Let us not dismiss the public sector. Not so fast. In Arizona, for example, our training focus has to be cognizant of our state needs. Hopefully we have to confront the idol of the market, especially the false narrative that the public sector is irrelevant or that government is a problem. This argument is…

The Master of Public Administration program in NAU’s Department of Politics and International Affairs recently received accreditation for the first time in program history. The MPA program is accredited by the NASPAA Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation and listed on the Annual Roster of Accredited Programs in conformity with NASPAA standards.   Sara Rinfret, the new director of the program, said the accreditation allows NAU to elevate its commitment of excellence in public administration, policy and public service.   “We are…

President Biden appoints Navajo Nation First Lady Phefelia Nez to the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Wednesday, the White House announced that U.S. President Joe Biden appointed Navajo Nation First Lady Phefelia Nez to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center of Performing Arts in recognition of her advocacy for tribal communities.  For more information see the release.

MPA Graduate Student, Jessica Watson, wins NASPAA Simulation Competition NAU’s Department of Politics and International Affairs Master of Public Administration Program recently sent graduate students Halley McIntyre and Jessica Watson to compete in the global Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration’s Student Simulation (NASPAA) Competition in Denver. The purpose of the simulation is to bring together students, across the globe, to tackle real-life public sector problems. This year’s focus was on the management of wildlife fires, and…

The NAU MPA program sent two student teams to compete in the Mesa Project. The goal of the Mesa Project is for MPA students at NAU, ASU and UA to present solutions for issues the City of Mesa is confronting.  Team One: Phoenix Eskridge-Aldama and Eric Wise: Eskridge-Aldama and Wise worked on a scalable tree cover project for the city of Mesa. They address climate change adaptation and mitigation as it pertains to thermal comfort and walkability in the city…