KU School of Public Affairs and Administration

KU School of Public Affairs and Administration We prepare leaders and link KU resources to the challenges of public management through service and research.

Our School offers academic and professional development programs for public service professionals, including the #1 ranked MPA in city management/urban administration The KU School of Public Affairs and Administration offers both academic and workplace-based professional development education to strengthen the provision of public services in society. We offer degrees at the master’s (MPA), doctora

l (PhD), and undergraduate levels. Through our collaboration with the Public Management Center, we offer a variety of professional development programs for public sector professionals.

05/19/2026

🎓✨ Celebrating the Class of 2026!

We proudly recognize our newest graduates across the School of Public Affairs and Administration Ph.D., MPA, MUP, and undergraduate programs. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to public service, leadership, and academic excellence.

From doctoral scholars to future planners and public administrators, these graduates represent the very best of SPAA. 👏

Huge congratulations to our SPAA graduates—you did it! 💙❤️

📖 Read the full press release and see the complete graduate list: https://tinyurl.com/2026-SPAA-graduation

We’re about a month away from registration opening for the 2026 ICMA - International City/County Management Association ...
05/14/2026

We’re about a month away from registration opening for the 2026 ICMA - International City/County Management Association Annual Conference — which means now is the perfect time to start checking items off your ICMA to-do list. ✔️

Registration is already open for the KUCIMAT Alumni Reception, and early-bird pricing is available through July 31.

We look forward to welcoming alumni, students, and faculty of the KU Master of Public Administration program to Long Beach for an evening of networking and meaningful programming to celebrate our alumni community and accomplishments.

📍 The Reef On The Water
📅 Sunday, October 18, 2026
⏰ 6–9 p.m.
🎟️ $100 registration includes dinner + two drink tickets

The evening will include:
🔴 Recognition of KUCIMAT award recipients (nominate here: https://spaa.ku.edu/kucimat-awards)
🟡 Introduction of the Class of 2028 and updates from the Class of 2027
🔵 Recognition of incoming and outgoing KUCIMAT Board members
🔴 Updates from the SPAA

Learn more and register here: https://spaa.ku.edu/icma-2026

We are also looking for partners to support this annual gathering. Sponsorships directly support the alumni reception costs not covered by ticket revenue, help keep ticket prices reasonable, and allow MPA students to attend for free. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/2026-KUCIMAT-Sponsorship

05/07/2026

✨ Registration is now open for the 2026 Inspiring Women in Public Administration (IWPA) Conference! ✨

Join us on August 21, 2026, at the Overland Park Convention Center for a day focused on connection, leadership, and empowerment under this year’s theme:

💙 *You matter at IWPA: Creating a community of empowered leaders.*

Whether you’re an emerging leader, seasoned professional, student, or advocate for public service, IWPA is a space to learn, connect, and be inspired alongside women making an impact across the public sector.

📍 Overland Park Convention Center
📅 August 21, 2026
🔗 Learn more: https://hubs.la/Q04fR6Tn0
📝 Register now: https://tinyurl.com/IWPA-2026

As we celebrate Public Service Recognition Week, we’re reminded that strong communities are built by dedicated public servants who lead with purpose, courage, and compassion. That’s exactly what IWPA is all about.

05/07/2026

County Clerk Jamie Shew has been elected chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s Standards Board executive committee. He is the first representative from Kansas to serve in this role!

We are incredibly proud of Jamie, his leadership and his many accomplishments at the local, state and national levels. He has served Douglas County as clerk and elections officer since 2004.

Jamie was recognized in February during our Employee Service Awards luncheon for his years of service. 🎉

➡️ Learn more: dgcoks.gov/news/050626

05/06/2026

Braver Angels is a citizens’ organization uniting red and blue Americans in a working alliance to depolarize America

At the core of SPAA are faculty whose leadership, scholarship, and service shape the future of public affairs and admini...
05/04/2026

At the core of SPAA are faculty whose leadership, scholarship, and service shape the future of public affairs and administration. We’re proud to celebrate the recent promotions of colleagues whose work strengthens our mission and helps make SPAA a top‑ranked public affairs program.

🔵 Misty Heggeness - Professor

🔴 Zach Mohr - Professor

🟡 Nicole Humphrey - Associate Professor

Rock chalk!

Our very own Professor of the Practice, Thom Allen, is presenting right now at the Kansas City/County Manager Conference...
04/30/2026

Our very own Professor of the Practice, Thom Allen, is presenting right now at the Kansas City/County Manager Conference put on by our professional development arm, the University of Kansas Public Management Center.

🌍 International Conference on Urban Affairs 🌍Ph.D. candidate Kawon Song will present her research at the Urban Affairs C...
04/30/2026

🌍 International Conference on Urban Affairs 🌍

Ph.D. candidate Kawon Song will present her research at the Urban Affairs Conference that advances understanding of urban climate governance in the U.S.

Using survey data from 670 local government officials nationwide, Kawon’s research examines how U.S. cities engage in climate governance experimentation — identifying roles such as implementers, facilitators, partners, and innovators, and the factors that shape these roles.

This work contributes valuable empirical insight into how cities respond to climate challenges through governance innovation.

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1445 Jayhawk Boulevard
Lawrence, KS
66045

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