Welcome to the School of Public Administration
Welcome to the School of Public Administration (SPA) at the University of New Mexico. Founded in 1969 under the leadership of former UNM president, Dr. Ferrel Heady, the school provides a solid academic foundation to prepare students for leadership and management positions in the public and non-profit sectors. From public management and organizational behavior, to public policy evaluation and health policy and management - our faculty provide insights into the numerous challenges facing our society and government and how they can best be managed.
SPA’s students come from diverse backgrounds - some from years of professional work experience, some are recent college graduates, and others are mid-career professionals interested in advancing in their current positions or exploring new career opportunities. Our students pride themselves in fostering debate on important issues, encouraging one another, and creating a vibrant learning environment.
We invite you to explore our website and learn about our professional administration programs.
EVENTS:
Fall, 2014 New Student Orientation - SPA will be holding our New Student Orientation on Saturday, August 16, 2014. It will be held in Dane Smith Hall, Room 141 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Attendance at orientation is required for all incoming MPA and MHA students.
Host of 2014 NASPAA Conference - We are pleased to announce that the UNM School of Public Administration has been chosen as the host school of the 2014 NASPAA Conference being held November 5-7, 2014. Over 500 professionals attended the 2013 NASPAA Conference held in Washington, D.C. this past October. There are multiple sessions being planned that will cover a wide variety of topics and issues. Stay tuned for additional information as conference details are confirmed!
NEWS:
Congratulations to Ms. Danila Zidovsky, recipient of the 2014 Ferrel Heady Award for Professional Paper of the Year. Ms. Zidovsky's professional paper, Determinants of Employee Motivation in the Nonprofit Sector: Findings from the Survey of Nonprofit Employees in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was acknowledged by SPA faculty as being of the highest quality. We are proud to have Ms. Zidovsky as an SPA alum!
Rivera named Interim Director at School of Public Administration - Professor Mario Rivera has been appointed Interim Director of the School of Public Administration effective immediately. Dr. Rivera joined the School of Public Administration as Associate Professor in 1993 and was promoted to full professor in 2001, with award of Regents' Professorship in 2002. Dr. Rivera takes over for Dr. Amy Wohlert, who moved into the chief of staff position for President Robert Frank.
SPA a national leader: NASPAA congratulates SPA for "stand-out practices for diversity."
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS:
Congratulations to Professor Kun Huang on his award of tenure and promotion to Associate Professor, effective the beginning of Fall 2014.