Volcker Alliance Team Featured Throughout NASPAA’s 2020 Annual Conference

The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), a non-profit that connects and supports Schools of Public Service, held their annual conference from October 14 to 16. While traditionally held in-person, this year, due to the pandemic, NASPAA successfully convened stakeholders online under the theme, “Building the Civic Square.”

NASPAA aims to ensure excellence in public service education while promoting the ideals of public service globally. At a time when trust in government is at historic lows, Schools of Public Service can play a critical role in effectively training and inspiring the next generation of public servants to drive needed change and impact throughout their careers. The conference provided an important opportunity for stakeholders in the public service education community to convene around new research and timely issues such as pandemic management and equity in public service education.

Nonresident senior fellows Sandra Archibald and Paul C. Light, along with Volcker Alliance executive vice president Sara Mogulescu and associate director Maggie Mello, presented on two panels during the virtual NASPAA conference. These panels focused on strengthening the field of public service education. The panel “Public Service Education: What Should We Be Teaching?” explored what public servants need to know to perform effectively in their jobs and how curricula can be designed to meet the needs of the moment. “Public Service Education: What Are We Teaching?” highlighted the Public Service Curriculum Project and offered panelists an opportunity to respond and reflect on the current state of the field and the potential ways to use this research to facilitate change.