NASPAA Annual Conference 2011

Our 2011 conference theme highlights implications and impacts of the growing interest in building connections between university faculty and students and their communities. As “bridges” between the worlds of scholarship and practice, public administration and public policy programs are well-positioned to assist universities, governments, and non-profit organizations. The negative effects of the Great Recession on local and non-profit capacities to deliver services and meet citizen needs have put the spotlight on MPA and MPP programs to shoulder greater responsibilities for preparing the next generation of public service leaders and to provide assistance beyond the classroom. However, public affairs programs have also experienced financial cutbacks, and their abilities to meet these expectations have been constrained. Moreover, the university reward system and academic culture continue to provide few incentives for cultivating public service connections.