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:
Spring 2014 Convocation Ceremony - Friday, May 16, 2014. Convocation will be held inside Popejoy, Keller Hall from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 pm. A reception will immediately follow in the Mesa Vista Hall: GRC courtyard (map).
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:
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 interim director of the school, 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."
Congratulations to Ms. Aileen Currier, recipient of the 2013 Ferrel Heady Award for Professional Paper of the Year. Ms. Currier's professional paper, Environmental Sustainability and the Great Recession: A Study of Cities in the Southwest, was acknowledged by SPA faculty as being of the highest quality. We are proud to have Ms. Currier as an SPA alum!
Fall 2013 SPA Newsletter - In this Fall issue, Interim Director Wohlert charts the growth of the School in the Director's message, the many areas of faculty research both local and abroad is highlighted, and we welcome our inaugural class of the Master of Health Administration program - these are just a few of the many topics included!
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS:
Congratulations to Professor Bruce Perlman, Regents' Professorship Appointment.
Congratulations to Professor Roli Varma, Carl Hatch Endowed Professorship Appointment.
Congratulations to Professor T. Zane Reeves - Professor T. Zane Reeves was selected by the City of Phoenix and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 2960 to serve as a Fact Finder to make recommendations to the Phoenix City Council for resolving the city’s $37.7 million projected deficit in FY 2014-2015.