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ASPA 2024 Annual Conference Three Months Away!
ASPA leadership and staff are excited to welcome everyone in the public administration community to Minneapolis this April 12-16 for our 2024 Annual Conference!
Focusing on our theme, "Building Resilient Communities," this year’s event will focus on helping communities solve the intractable problems they have faced in recent years, including those related to health, the economy, inequity, security and governance. What's working and what's not? What makes one community strong enough to withstand crises and bounce back—even bounce back better—while another struggles and suffers, its citizens needing more resources and not being able to cultivate them? Which factors play leading roles and which are tangential? What do communities need to gain to be able to bounce back? What roles must public administration professionals and scholars play in contributing to building resilient communities?
We are looking forward to learning from all of you as we wrestle with these questions—presenters, attendees and students alike! More agenda details and session data will be posted to the conference website shortly, as well as information about the plenaries and presidential panels that will take place. Keep checking the website, our Twitter feed and your inbox for details as they are available.
And, make sure you register and save your seat! Registration rates for the full event are $569 for members, $669 for nonmembers. Student and new professional members may register for only $259.* View all registration rates and details online here.
Contact us with any questions. We are excited to welcome everyone to Minneapolis this April!
*ASPA registration rates do not include any extra fees that apply for special events. Individual registrants may pay increased rates to add on programming to their basic registration.
ASPA Election Results
ASPA's 2024 election results have been finalized and we are pleased to announce the individuals who will join ASPA’s leadership this year. Their terms will begin at the conclusion of the 2024 Annual Conference in mid-April:
- District I: Hillary Knepper
- District II: Phillip Carlisle
- District III: Shaoming Cheng
- District IV: Alex Trembley
- District V: Edgar Ramirez de la Cruz
- Student Representative: Kathleen Ann Vincent
Each District Representative will serve a three-year term and the Student Representative will serve a one-year term.
We look forward to working with these leaders in the coming year. We also thank all the candidates who stood for election. Our organization is enriched by your participation and dedication to our work.
E-Learning at Your Fingertips
ASPA staff work tirelessly to keep your skills up to date and the information flowing all year long through our e-learning program. Visit our website to see more details about upcoming KeepingCurrent, BookTalk and Student and New Professional series programming.
Students and New Professionals: The Nonprofit Compensation Equation
January 16 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST
Presenters:
Rachel Emas, Moderator, Associate Teaching Professor and ENRP Director, George Washington University
Rick Grimm, CEO, National Institute of Governmental Purchasing
Bill Shields, Jr., Executive Director and CEO, ASPA and Adjunct Professor, American University
Omrit Shimoni, Director, Quality Improvement and Strategic Initiatives, Jewish Community Services of South Florida
How much to make—and how to make more—usually are at the forefront of every job seeker’s mind. But, these questions obscure a more important fact: When entertaining a job offer, it is not simply a matter of salary; it is a matter of your compensation package. And, it is not so much about negotiating as it is about becoming educated about what you might get beyond the paycheck. Join three nonprofit professionals who will debunk common myths about compensation packages and offer key tips for how and when to address compensation questions with a prospective employer. They will cover everything you need to know about what types of benefits frequently make up a compensation package: how much they are worth and to what extent employers are paying for things you otherwise would pay yourself. By the end of this session, you will better understand the true financial value of a job offer, allowing you to make a more informed decision.
Students and New Professionals: Careers in Federal Government: Searching for a Job, Succeeding in It
February 8 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST
Presenters:
Lindsey Evans, Moderator, Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
Janice Lachance, Executive Vice President, American Geophysical Union
Steven Putansu, Senior Social Science Analyst, U.S. Government Accountability Office
"Shape America’s Future" is the tagline on USAJOBS, the federal government’s online portal to thousands of federal jobs based in Washington, DC and around the country. However, the federal job search process can be daunting for new graduates pursuing a public service career. How do you develop an effective application and get it seen? How do you master the art of the interview and hiring process? And, once hired, how can you make a federal career work for you? Our speakers will answer these questions and others during this hands-on session.
Students and New Professionals: Building an Inclusive Public Administration Pathway
February 13 | 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST
Presenters:
Jennifer Martinez-Medina, Moderator, Doctoral Candidate, Portland State University
Delia Olmos-Garcia, Executive Director, Willamette Academy
J. Brandon Phillips, Assistant Professor, California State University—East Bay
Arun Sambataro, Policy Advisor, King County Government
In today's rapidly evolving and diverse world, the field of public administration must adapt to meet the needs of an ever-changing society. Yet there are many barriers to entry to the profession for non-traditional public servants. One of the key ways to overcome this challenge is to establish a robust and inclusive public administration pathway for new and non-traditional public servants. This webinar will provide an exploration of strategies and practices aimed at creating a diverse and equitable talent pipeline that reflects the rich tapestry of the communities it serves.
Students and New Professionals: Hot Jobs in Government
March 7 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EST
Sponsored By West Chester University
What if some of the most in-demand government jobs are ones you have never heard of or thought about? Take procurement, a profession that does not get the attention it deserves in the classroom, but is responsible for $2 trillion in government spending every year. Or, diversity and inclusion, an area receiving increased public visibility, but also where governments are still playing catch up. A panel of public service professionals from the front lines will share with you the emerging “hot jobs in government,” positions where you can see the value of your work each day. They will highlight the ins and outs of these jobs and share tips on how to get your foot in the door to make a difference in positions that governments across the nation are looking to fill.
From the Archives
BookTalk: Bridgebuilders: How Government Can Transcend Boundaries to Solve Big Problems
Bill Eggers and Don Kettl joined ASPA's webinar series in June 2023 to talk about this release. Pandemics. Climate change. Refugee resettlement. Global supply chains. We face a new generation of complex problems that stretch across the public and private sectors and flow over organizational boundaries. To meet the moment, we need a fresh, new approach that strengthens institutions and government agencies by breaking free from organizational boxes and rigid, top-down leadership. Listen to this important discussion via our members-only archives. (Members only.)
In Memoriam: Laurie DiPadova-Stocks
Laurie DiPadova-Stocks, dean emeritus at Park University and resident of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away in December. She was 78.
DiPadova-Stocks was an intelligent and loving individual who dedicated her life to academia. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and went on to earn a Master of Science in sociology at the University of Utah and her PhD in public administration and policy from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, State University of New York at Albany.
DiPadova-Stocks first joined ASPA in 1989 and was a member of the Kansas City Chapter and a few Sections including the Section for Women in Public Administration, Section on Public Administration Research, Section on Ethics and Integrity of Governance and Section on Democracy and Social Justice. She attended and spoke at ASPA's conferences regularly, most recently in 2021. She also served on ASPA committees for decades including the National Council from 2006-2009 and several awards selection committees.
Her academic prowess led her to become a respected professor at several universities, capping her career with 20 years as professor and dean at Park University, where she made a lasting impact on her students and colleagues. At the time of her retirement she was dean emeritus there.
DiPadova-Stocks is survived by her husband, Hugh Stocks; her former husband, Theodore DiPadova; her children, Audra DiPadova Wilford and Joe DiPadova along with their spouses; and numerous grandchildren and siblings. She will be remembered for her intellect, love and dedication to her family, faith and career. Service was at the core of her learning, teaching and life. Her legacy will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know her.
You can find a full obituary online here.
Advertise with ASPA!
Did you know you can advertise your organization's services, university's schools, nonprofit's resources or professional services in ASPA publications?
ASPA hosts advertising opportunities all year long, providing those looking to expand their brand with a wide variety of ways to do so, targeting all corners of ASPA's audiences. From a single website placement to a long-term ad in this newsletter to advertising at the Annual Conference, there are so many opportunities to use ASPA's media to promote your brand. Print, digital or social, content- or image-based, we are happy to work with your needs to find a placement that suits your marketing program. More, exposure is broad: Each placement will reach more than 3,000 people (30,000 for web placements) with a viewership that updates and changes regularly. Your brand placement will never get stale in ASPA media!
Contact us before January 31 for an ad placement and we'll provide you with a 25 percent discount on any ad you reserve* for the first quarter of 2024. Options include:
- PA Times Online Email and Website
Distributed via email to 12,000 people per edition with a 37 percent open rate
85 percent of website viewers are new
Email and web placement: $2,150 per month (discount applied: $1,612.50)
Purchase this pair for six months: $10,000 (discount applied: $7,500)
- ASPA's Website
Accessed by 30,000 unique viewers per month
82 percent of viewers are new
Side navigation placement: $2,290 per month (discount applied: $1,717.50)
Purchase this for six months: $12,000 (discount applied: $9,000)
- This Newsletter, Bridge!
Distributed via email to 15,000 people per edition with a 45 percent open rate
Ad to be included in edition when archived for long-term exposure
Top placement: $780 per edition (discount applied: $585)
Purchase this for six months: $7,500 (discount applied: $5,625)
Interested in having your branding across all of these choices? We can customize a package for you! Reach out to us for more information and we'll be pleased to help you book an advertising spot and grow your brand in the new year.
Contact ASPA's Karen Garrett to book any ASPA advertising spots or for further information.
*Ad reservation discounts do not include conference placements.
Institutional Membership: The Wave of the Future!
Are you ready to take your ASPA membership up a notch in 2024? Consider an institutional membership! ASPA sells packages of memberships to institutions—university schools, agencies, cities and counties—all year long and will be happy to customize one for you.
Offering more than just annual memberships, these packages also include ways your institution can share best practices within the organization and share its knowledge and expertise with the ASPA audience. This includes discounts on ASPA advertising (see above!), preferred options for hosting webinars, preferred placements in PA TIMES, job board listing discounts and more. Pricing begins at just $2,500 (depending on your size and needs). Contact us for more details on what could work well for your institution.
Thank you to the following organizations that are starting 2024 with an institutional membership. We promise to steer you well throughout the year!
- College of Charleston
- Excelsior University's School of Public Service
- LA County Management Council
- Miami-Dade County
- National Louis University
- Old Dominion University
- Policy Pathways
- Rutgers University—Newark
- Strayer University
- Suffolk University
- Texas State University Certified Public Managers Program
- Thomas Edison State University
- University of Massachusetts Boston
- University of Nebraska—Omaha
- University of New Mexico
- University of Texas—Arlington
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Thank You for Your Valuable Support in 2023
Thank you to everyone who donated to ASPA in 2023, providing financial support for our short- and long-term needs. We are grateful for your generosity. These donations support ASPA's programming, IT needs, overhead and general operations, sustaining our mission to advance excellence in public service.
If you missed out on this opportunity but want to get a fast start in 2024, please use our website via the button below to make a donation any time! You also can set up a monthly or quarterly donation to sustain our work all year long. Contact us if you need assistance to do so.
We look forward to a wonderful year ahead and hope you will continue supporting our efforts.
JSEPA 2:1 Is Out
The most recent edition of the Journal of Social Equity in Public Administration (JSEPA) has been released. Volume 2, issue 1 includes research and reviews from an array of equity-minded scholars, covering topics such as COVID-19 vaccine sharing across nations, Black representation in foreign policy, equity in death and burial services, racial healing and much, much more. JSEPA is open access; please share articles with your colleagues, students and social media followers.
New Report from Pew Assesses Use of ARPA Funds
Remember ARPA—the American Rescue Plan Act— from 2021? The massive federal funding that helped state and local governments react and respond to COVID and the potential for an economic freefall? The funding was not only meant to build on previous COVID aid funds but also provide cushion for short-term economic uncertainties. In some cases, it did its job too well and states found themselves flooded with cash they could spend in too many ways. Unfortunately, there is no set definition of "one time spending" to guide those who received checks, which is where Pew stepped in.
According to the report summary, "Researchers from The Pew Charitable Trusts filled this gap by developing definitions of one-time and ongoing investments, and then applied these criteria to assess how five states and one territory used their flexible ARPA funds." Takeaways were specific to the six states/territory, so you'll need to read the report to learn more!
National Civic League All-America City Award
The National Civic League (NCL) is accepting applications for the 2024 All-America City Award. With a rich history dating back to 1949, this award has been honoring communities that harness the power of civic engagement, collaboration, inclusivity and innovation to effectively tackle local challenges.
The 2024 theme, "Strengthening Democracy through Local Action and Innovation," aims to spotlight communities bolstering democratic processes through innovations such as making it easier to vote, engage in community affairs and participate in leadership roles.
The deadline for optional letters of intent to apply has passed; final applications must be submitted by February 13, 2024. NCL will announce the top 20 finalists in March, who will have the opportunity to convene in Denver, Colorado, from June 7-9, 2024, to showcase their community's achievements at the All-America City Award event. Don't miss your chance to shine on this national stage!
For additional information, watch this informational webinar and download the 2023 application.
Public Administration Today Highlight
Public Administration Today features white papers, research and blogs from across the profession. If you're interested in more—especially your own curated news feed in your inbox every week—visit the website, create an account and check off your interest areas so you can stay up to date about the latest research being released!
Teachers Can’t Afford Housing, So School Districts Are Building Homes
Via Route Fifty: When potential teachers are considering a position, they often want to know what’s available for affordable housing. “If I don’t have an answer for that, I lose that applicant,” one school district superintendent says.
Tips, Resources and the Fun Stuff
Why Are Americans Getting Shorter?
You already know we’re getting heavier. Rising obesity rates are as American as apple pie—a cliché that seems freshly relevant in this context. But did you know we’re also getting shorter?
How America’s Diet Is Feeding the Groundwater Crisis
As dinner tables and snack menus feature far more chicken and cheese, farms are expanding where water is scarce.
Help! It’s Almost 2024 and Travelers Keep Making the Same Mistakes.
Based on nearly 2,000 reader submissions (so far) in 2023, here are six guidelines for minimizing travel trouble in 2024.
Reasons to Get Outside and Move Around During Your Workday
Getting outside is good for you. So why don’t we do it more often?
Nine Ways to Get Healthier in 2024 Without Trying Very Hard
It doesn't take great feats of fitness or a heroic commitment to good habits to stay well. Often small changes can make a significant difference.
In the News
Today's headlines contain plenty of news coverage of some of our nation's most pressing public administration challenges. ASPA has curated some of the most important stories from recent weeks. If you have not seen these yet, make sure you read them now!
Infrastructure
Public Finance
Public Service
Social Equity
Members in the News
Mental Health Funding Is Fast Becoming “the Bipartisan Issue of Our Time”
The Future of Government Jobs: Post Generative AI
and
Data Literacy: The Drive to Educate the Public Sector Workforce
By Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene
How Much Can Trump 2.0 Get Away With?
This article quotes Don Kettl, among others.
Rutgers-Newark Announces New Dean for the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA)
Following an international search for the next leader of the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA), Rutgers University—Newark Chancellor Nancy Cantor and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Jeffrey Robinson announced that Dr. Kaifeng Yang will become the school’s dean effective January 1.
Loretta Tillery Receives Kenneth Henning Award
Loretta Tillery has been named the 2023 recipient of the Kenneth K. Henning Award. The American Academy of Certified Public Managers' highest award recognizes professional excellence in public service. She is the 30th recipient in the 33-year history of the award. She is the first graduate of the Washington D.C. Council of Governments, Institute for Regional Excellence Regional Executive Development Program to receive this award. Contact Dennis Martino for more information; contact Loretta to congratulate her.
Thomas J. Vicino Named Dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
Thomas J. Vicino has been named the next dean of the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, effective March 4. He serves as the associate dean of graduate studies in the College of Social Science and Humanities at Northeastern University in Boston, where he also is appointed jointly as professor in the Department of Political Science and the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs.
Tell Me Something Good...
Need some good news in your world? Check this out:
City Halls Should Be the Souls and Hearts of Their Communities
I walked into Atlanta’s City Hall last week for a holiday reception sponsored by longtime city councilmember Michael Julian Bond, who won my council seat when I resigned to run for higher office. What I encountered was more than eggnog and pound cake. I experienced a celebration of community, diversity, and professional and cultural accomplishments.
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Around Public Administration
Here are the most recent updates from across the profession. Did we miss you? Send us your news and we'll include it in the next round!
Upcoming Events:
Calls for proposals, calls for nominations and other updates:
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Section on Nonprofits Call for Nominations
ASPA's Section on Nonprofits will award student and best paper research awards at ASPA's 2024 Annual Conference. For the student awards, only current students presenting nonprofit research at the conference are eligible. Students must have a paper or poster approved for presentation at the conference to be considered for this award. Winners will be awarded $500 each to be used for ASPA membership, conference registration and other expenses. The Section also will cover the fees for the student to join the Section for a year. All applications are due January 15. Contact Jesus Valero for more information.
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Public Finance Journal and GFOA Sponsor the GovFi Prize
What if there were resources to support, recognize and reward academic writing in public finance? There now is such financial resourcing for four specific questions. There is $500 for up to four initial proposals for each of the questions. Articles are required to be produced for publication for each $500 start-up funding to be published in a future edition of the Public Finance Journal. The selected researchers or research teams will be informed in writing, will complete the research as described in proposal and submit the article for publication to the Public Finance Journal, and agree to all terms to have your article published. The four questions are: Is the 80-20 Rule Operative for Financial Analysts’ Use of Financial Reports?; What Is the Cost of Compliance with GAAP Accounting and Reporting Standards?; What Does the Public Really Want to Know About Public Finance?; and Do Financial Reports Impact Policy Making?. All abstract proposals are due January 22, 2024. Click here for more information.
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NAPA Social Equity Leadership Conference Call for Proposals Open
Polling shows that three in four Republicans believe the country “should promote traditional social and moral values" while two in three Democrats show “greater tolerance of diverse lifestyles and backgrounds.” (NBC News Poll, April 26, 2023) The divide is almost identical on government doing more to increase social justice, reduce political correctness and promote LGBTQ rights. For instance, six in 10 Americans “will not work for a company that doesn’t speak out against racial injustice.” (USA Today, March 8, 2023) This divide presents the major challenge to advancing social equity in the midst of these divisions. The National Academy of Public Administration’s (NAPA) 2024 Social Equity Leadership Conference (SELC) seeks to identify means of advancing social equity policies despite the existing political divisions. The SELC committee values the principled and social justice basis for social equity policies. It is merely seeking ways to expand the social equity tent and enlist more support for social equity policies regardless of the political climate. While it is easy to argue in favor of social equity and social justice from the standpoint of principle, we also should embrace the pragmatic reasons for supporting social equity policies. The SELC committee wishes to amplify the benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion to the economy, the workforce, organizational culture and the communities we serve. The 2024 SELC also will seek to feature social equity policies and programs to demonstrate their efficacy and their replicability in other communities. All proposals are due January 26, 2023. Click here for more information.
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STPA Student Paper Competition
ASPA's Section on Transportation Policy and Administration (STPA) invites undergraduate and graduate students who have written research papers related to transportation policy and administration to submit them for consideration for its 2024 Student Paper Competition. Papers should be prepared according to a standard style such as APA. They should be 20-35 pages and include citations and references. The review committee encourages students to submit copies of conference papers or unpublished manuscripts. Literature reviews and review essays are not eligible for consideration, nor are papers co-authored with faculty members. The maximum number of student collaborators is limited to three. The committee will evaluate papers in a blind review process. The best paper will receive a cash award of $250 and a commemorative plaque. STPA will pay the conference registration fee for the awardee to attend ASPA's 2024 Annual Conference. In the event the selected paper is a co-authored manuscript, the Section will pay the registration fees for the co-authors (limited to two individuals). All papers are due February 1, 2024. Submit papers to Theodore W. Johnson.
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Baruch State and City Policy Center invites Requests for Proposals
The Howard J. Samuels State and City Policy Center at the Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Baruch College, invites requests for proposals for 2024 fellowships. This year, there are two fellowships available: the Samuels Doctoral Fellows and Samuels Public Affairs Fellowship. The former is for PhD students who have defended their dissertation proposals; the latter is for academics, researchers and community leaders who work in the field of public affairs. Up to four fellows in each category will be awarded unrestricted grants of $5,000 each. The application deadline for both fellowships is February 15, 2024. Click here for more details about the doctoral fellows program; click here for more details about the public affairs fellowship.
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18th Annual E-PARCC Teaching Case and Simulation Competition Call for Submissions
The Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC) at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs invites submissions for its 18th annual E-PARCC competition to further stimulate the creation of effective and innovative teaching cases and simulations. E-PARCC, a project of the “Collaborative Governance Initiative,” provides free online resources for those who teach conflict and collaboration around the world. More than 3,000 visitors per month from more than 40 countries take advantage of E-PARCC materials. The E-PARCC competition now consists of two tracks: (1) collaborative problem solving, collaborative governance and network governance and analysis; and (2) collaborative methods in international development. Entries for the competition should be tailored for one of the two tracks. Among other options, entries might focus on the use of collaborative methods to: identify public policy and management problems and/or create and implement policy and management solution; develop innovations that improve the design, delivery and evaluation of public services and programs; apply participatory and consensus building methods to address and overcome societal divisions; and improve open, transparent and accountable government and governance through advocacy and public action. All entries must be original and not published elsewhere. Submit the entry with the cover page to [email protected] by February 15, 2024, with the subject line: E-PARCC (your last name). Contact Catherine Gerard, interim director of PARCC, with any questions. Click here for more information.
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SECM Call for Papers: William Petak Award
The Section on Emergency and Crisis Management (SECM) is proud to announce its solicitation of papers for the William Petak Award, given each year to the best paper on an emergency management topic delivered at ASPA's Annual Conference. The award honors William Petak, a founder of the Section and a seminal scholar in emergency management. Anyone presenting a paper on emergency management at the conference is eligible to submit their paper for review. The winner will receive a cash prize of $100. Submissions should be submitted no later than March 1, 2024. Contact Jason Rivera with any questions or with your submission.
PA TIMES Online
Here's a selection of current pieces on PA TIMES Online, covering a range of issues within the profession. We accept individual articles on a rolling basis; if you have a piece you think would fit our publication, submit it to [email protected] for consideration. (Please review our submission guidelines in advance!)
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