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2026 Annual Conference Encourages Attendees to Build Bridges, Share Ideas
ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference, which took place last month, was built around the theme, "Building a Bridge to Renewal and Resilience." Throughout the event, conversations among attendees and led by presenters all focused on making connections, sharing new ideas and taking theory into practice. Energy was high. With more than 1350 attendees at this year's conference, those who gathered in Hollywood were excited to be there and wanted to ensure they were making the most of their time together with fellow administrators and scholars.
Keynote lectures from Juliette Kayyem, Haldane Davies, Carolyn Bourdeaux and Garrett Graff all inspired attendees toward working to help their communities be safe and secure, and lead with integrity. Of course, everyone made space for time with friends and colleagues, as well—catching up over meals, visiting at networking receptions and having fun at the receptions and parties.
Opening keynote speaker and 2026 Elliot Richardson lecturer Juliette Kayyem (CNN) packed the ballroom for her address, focusing on the important role individual communities can have on the world stage, particularly as it relates to emergency and crisis management. "The federal job might have been over the top, flying around the world and stuff, but my state job and the ones in the communities are the most impactful and meaningful," she observed at the beginning of her remarks.
She reflected on how meaningful it is to serve: government service, public service and contributing to the rule of law, while staying focused on the present: "You are here. There is not some world of unicorns and rainbows we're building to. We're focused on what resiliency means for our communities today." The book signing held after her remarks attracted a line that stretched down the hotel hallway as attendees waited to purchase her book, The Devil Never Sleeps, and have it signed. (We have signed copies if you missed this opportunity. Purchase it on our website here.)
The 2026 Donald C. Stone Lecturer, Haldane Davies (Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands), encouraged those in the audience—also a packed room—to think about what creates meaning in life and makes a difference in others' lives. "That's what we're meant to do with our life!" he said as he began his lecture. "If you apply academia in a meaningful way to your community it can help make a difference in so many ways."
His lecture focused on four insights: strategic planning, problem management, execution and exceeding expectations. "Across your journey, you will confront situations from time to time where you will not be as thoughtful, caring and loving as you ought to be as leaders in public administration and in life... What we do as leaders make an impact, whether for good or for bad. If we are genuinely mindful, it will make a difference in people's lives. The ripples we make should impact people favorably."
Attendees also heard from Carolyn Bourdeaux, executive director of the Concord Coalition, as she accepted the 2026 Nesta M. Gallas Award and provided the annual lecture. "Public administration is really challenged at this moment to figure out: Where do we take a stand and what is our obligation in these moments? Nesta Gallas understood where she stood and what her values were."
Her remarks focused on her life in public service and the connection between theory and practice. "Public administration is very grounded in values, in ethics, in understanding multiple disciplines so you can solve problems for people. That's why we're here."
The final large plenary of the event featured remarks from historian Garrett Graff, who began his comments with a reflection on Robert Mueller, the retired FBI director who had passed away days before the lecture. "He was a public servant in a style and tradition that we see less and less in modern life. Someone who devoted a half-century of his life to public service... Bob Mueller may have been the last person in the U.S. government who both parties agreed upon and respected beyond reproach."
Graff went on to couch his podium remarks around five leadership lessons from Mueller's life: make your bed; don't kill the messenger; take care of your people and surround yourself with the best; wear a white shirt; and it's not what we do, but how we do it. "I have a special place in my heart for public administrators and those we know as bureaucrats," he observed. "As you lead and manage, focus on the most important change and ensure your teams and organizations can recognize what you're doing and why."
After his formal remarks, Graff and ASPA Executive Director and CEO Bill Shields engaged in a discussion about Graff's work. Graff also took questions from the audience, providing some very thoughtful context for current events. "One of the things Bob Mueller told me was that if you have a strong moral compass, the hardest things in life are the easiest," he said in response to comments from the audience. "The test is simple: Can you walk back into a space like this conference next year and look everyone in the eyes and know you have done the right thing?" After the lecture, Graff signed copies of two of his books. Once again, the line extended far down the hallway as folks waited patiently to meet the author. (We have signed copies of the books. If you are interested, you can purchase The Devil Reached Toward the Sky here and When the Sea Came Alive here.)
Of course, numerous other sessions and speeches took place during the conference, not the least of which included Judge Lisa Rogan, who provided the 2026 Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity lecture. Focusing on her time as a California Superior Court judge and using that position to increase equity for those in the justice system, her remarks provided those in the room with energy and inspiration to move forward with DEI efforts, despite roadblocks.
Nine presidential panels gave focused attention to invaluable conversations reflecting on present times, including workforce talent development, housing affordability, health care reform, innovation in local government, trust in government, DEI in the public service pipeline, helping elected leaders learn how to govern and encouraging democratic resilience.
The conference also honored numerous public servants and academicians for their contributions in the past year, including the Paul A. Volcker Public Integrity Award, which was given to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Powell provided a gracious acceptance video, which can be viewed online here. A full list of award honorees can be viewed on ASPA's website.
This five-day event encouraged attendees to build bridges and connect with others—while also reminding everyone of core public service values and how to bring those into their work and classroom. It also served as a tangible reminder of how important the theory/practice/theory conversation is to the profession and that we need both sides of that dialogue to move forward for our communities. The culmination of months of planning for attendees and organizers alike, the 2026 conference provided an excellent opportunity to develop new research, hear new ideas, reconnect with friends and—most important—remind each other of the wider community around all of us as we keep doing the work.
Everyone left Hollywood energized for the months ahead, and of course excited for the 2027 conference in New Orleans!
Click here to view our online photo gallery and download pictures as you need. More resources will be released in the weeks ahead.
ASPA Launches Campaign 2030
ASPA made an exciting announcement at the opening plenary of the 2026 Annual Conference: The launch of Campaign 2030. This five-year campaign aims to build on ASPA's solid fiscal and programmatic foundation and strengthen ASPA's impact in three core areas: taking ASPA member-to-member engagement to the next level; ensuring the future of our future leaders; and ensuring our financial future.
More details are headed to inboxes soon, providing everyone with opportunities to contribute to this fundraising initiative. In the meantime, we hope all members will consider contributing to this campaign and helping us grow our financial commitment to the future of the profession. Head to our website to make your one-time or recurring donation now!
Voices of ASPA 2026
Through the generous efforts of Katherine Barrett and Richard Greene (Barrett and Greene, Inc.), ASPA is excited to announce the launch of Voices of ASPA 2026, an eight-video series showcasing individuals who shared their expertise at the conference and took a few minutes to chat with Barrett and Greene about ASPA and public administration.
The first video is from Kettering Foundation Senior Advisor Valerie Lemmie, who spoke about the importance of democracy: "I am worried that this generation of managers will not be prepared to understand how you manage in a situation where democracy is under threat and how you engage everyday people in the work that is required for us to sustain and grow our democracy."
View the video via Barrett and Greene's website and check back weekly for the next couple of months as new Voices of ASPA are released.
ASPA Celebrates Milestone Anniversaries
Each year at the annual conference ASPA recognizes those celebrating 25- and 50-year ASPA anniversaries: individuals who have been ASPA members continuously for those time spans. We did so again this year and are delighted to include those lists here, as well.
Below are the 8 individuals celebrating 50 years of being an ASPA member:
- Beverlee Bickmore
- James S. Bowman
- Jeanne-Marie Col
- Prabhakar G. Joshi
- Dale A. Krane
- Michael Eli Milakovich
- James Nordin
- James P. Pfiffner
Below are the 12 members celebrating 25 years of being an ASPA member:
- David L. Baker
- Joseph R. Bonomo
- Paul Danczyk
- Richard G. Heller
- Kazuyuki Hizume
- Valerie A. Lemmie
- Rolet Loretan
- Craig S. Maher
- Charles Menifield
- Patrick R. Mullen
- Cary Racine
- Phin Xaypangna
We had the privilege of celebrating the 70-year anniversary of one of our longest-tenured members, Chet Newland, who also went above and beyond in supporting this year's conference, providing a generous sponsorship to sustain ASPA's efforts.
ASPA congratulates all of this year's anniversary celebrants on their long-term commitment to our organization and wishes each of them many more years of dedication in the future. May we all strive to equal Chet's commitment!
Please reach out to those you recognize on this list with your own congratulations.
ASPA Critical Take-Aways Online Now—and Open Source!
Shortly before the conference, ASPA launched a new publication series, Critical Take-Aways, designed to help practitioners, scholars and students stay informed and engaged on the most important issues for our profession.
Each edition offers insights into a recent ASPA e-learning program: what it covered, why it matters and how it relates to the public service community. Whether you're familiar with the topic or looking to learn more, Critical Take-Aways offers a quick starting point and a link to the full webinar on ASPA's website.
Two programs are available now—The Power of Performance Audits and Navigating the New Intergovernmental Relationship—with more to be released in the months ahead. Check out the details on our website now!
Public Service Recognition Week Begins May 3!
National Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), an annual opportunity across the United States to pay tribute to public service employees, begins on May 3. We know several Chapters will be celebrating with awards ceremonies and other gatherings, and hope the Chapter (and Section) leaders reading this now will plan for some kind of celebration—if not that week, certainly sometime in May. We need to celebrate our public servants at all levels of government now more than ever!
You do not have to attend a PSRW event to honor your public servants. If you live in an area not served by a Chapter (or not celebrating this year), celebrate on your own. From letter-writing campaigns to social media posts to op-eds in your local newspapers, there are plenty of ways to show public administrators at the local, state and federal level that their work is valued. If you need help getting started, the Partnership for Public Service has put together a wide range of tools and resources you can use to amp up this year's celebration. (Thanks, Partnership!)
However you choose to get involved this May, make sure you show your hard-working public servants that you value them. Make plans now and spread the word with your network!
For the public servants reading this message, happy PSRW! The American Society for Public Administration—all 12,000 members and partners—appreciates you! Thank you for your service!
We will be publishing a list of all ASPA groups celebrating PSRW2026. Contact us to share your details.
Need a Chapter Home? Consider the Evergreen Chapter!
Speaking of ASPA's Chapters... Are you an ASPA member living in the Pacific Northwest? The Evergreen Chapter invites you to consider joining them. The Evergreen Chapter is the local Chapter working to enhance education, networking and training, while offering new insights into public administration. The Chapter is changing... it's growing... it just might be for you! For more information about the Chapter, please contact Chapter President Chuck Wallace.
If you would like to join the Chapter (and you're not due to renew your ASPA membership soon), contact ASPA's membership team for assistance.
Congratulations All-America Cities Finalists!
Each year, the National Civic League honors outstanding communities with the All-America City Award, celebrating excellence in local innovation, civic engagement and cross-sector collaboration. The All-America City Award was built on a belief that has only grown more urgent over time: that the future of democracy is local. For more than 75 years, communities have earned this recognition not just for what they've accomplished, but for how—by deepening relationships, crossing divides and turning civic energy into lasting change. This year's 20 finalists have distinguished themselves through their commitment to strengthening civic health and building trust.
- Bowling Green-Warren County, Kentucky
- Chelsea, Massachusetts
- Conway, South Carolina
- Franklin, Tennessee
- Grand Island, Nebraska
- Harlingen, Texas
- Huntsville, Alabama
- Jenks, Oklahoma
- Monrovia, California
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Morrisville, North Carolina
- Norfolk, Virginia
- North Charleston, South Carolina
- Opa-locka, Florida
- River Forest, Illinois
- Riviera Beach, Florida
- Roanoke, Virginia
- Stow, Ohio
- Wichita, Kansas
- Woodburn, Oregon
The 10 finalists will be chosen this June during the All-America City Award Event. Learn more here.
From the Kennedy School: AI in Action
Advances in AI have the capacity to transform the operation of organizations across the public, nonprofit and private sectors to deliver improved services and lower costs. For many organizations, determining how, when and where to integrate AI into their work while also navigating the risks it poses, can be a significant challenge. AI in Action, taking place May 11-22, provides frameworks and tools for responsible AI adoption and exposes participants to the process of building AI algorithms. Join the Harvard Kennedy School faculty and guest speakers to examine the benefits and risks of AI, explore real-world successes and failures, and develop a pilot plan to introduce AI into your organization and become an informed leader for AI-driven transformation. All applications are due by April 27, 2026. Discounts are available for those sending five or more to the program. Click here for more information.
Tips, Resources and Updates
Trump Rule Gutting Student Loan Forgiveness for Public Servants Faces Big Test in Court
The Trump administration's efforts to enact new regulations that would limit student loan forgiveness under a popular federal program for public servants is facing a major new test after legal challengers asked a federal court to block the proposed limits before they take effect this summer.
OPM Finalizes Biden-Era Reg Revamping Federal Hiring of College Students
The Trump administration made only minor tweaks to a 2021 interim rule aimed at encouraging agencies to hire students still at school to part-time jobs and eventually convert them to permanent posts.
Pentagon to Curb Ties with Top Universities and Think Tanks
The Defense Department has decided to curb academic ties with nearly two dozen top universities and think tanks as part of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's campaign against what he calls anti-American values and "wokeness."
To Better Serve Residents, Strengthen Nonprofit Partnerships
Nonprofits provide essential services, employ millions and are drivers of local economies. State and local governments can help their constituents by supporting a healthy and vibrant nonprofit sector.
In the News
Today's headlines contain plenty of news coverage of some of our nation's most pressing public administration challenges. ASPA has curated some of the most important stories from recent weeks. If you have not seen these yet, make sure you read them now!
Infrastructure
Public Finance
Public Service
Most news related to federal workforce changes by the current administration are being reported in Federal Workforce in Turmoil. Contact us if you are not receiving that digest and want to.
Social Equity
Members in the News
Barrett and Greene:
Political Candidates and the Troubling Chill Factor and
Embracing Risk in Government
Michelle Buehlmann:
Michelle Buehlmann Receives National Award from American Society for Public Administration
Jonathan Flores:
Pharr City Manager Dr. Jonathan B. Flores Receives National Public Service Award
Susan Gooden:
Maxwell School to Celebrate Careers in Climate, Diplomacy, Food Security and Law
Pamela Herd:
The SAVE Act Is Christian Nationalism in Action
Don Kettl:
Federalizing Elections: It's Been Proposed Before. It Doesn't Work,
Memo to JD Vance: Fighting the War on Waste and
Unbalanced Powers
Andrew Kleine:
Why It's Crucial to Know What Local Government Really Costs
Alyssa Taylor Lavalle:
ULV Student Named ASPA Founders' Fellow
Don Moynihan:
Procurement, Capacity and Sovereignty
Stacy Rodgers:
Governor Moore Announces Maryland Department of Human Services Leadership Transition
Ron Sanders:
Federal Officials Monitor Middle East Threats, Experts Warn of Attacks and Cyberattacks in the U.S.
Alan Shark:
Deadline Approaches to Address the Digital Services Gap
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Around Public Administration
Here are the most recent updates from across the profession. Did we miss you? Send us your news and we'll include it in the next round!
Upcoming Events:
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2026 NAPA SELC
Newark, NJ | May 28-30, 2026
Theme: Leading and Learning toward a Future for All—A 25th SELC Anniversary Celebration
Registration is open
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Seventh World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality
University of Minnesota | August 3-5, 2026
Theme: Partnerships, Pathways and Pipelines: Cross-Sector and Interdisciplinary Collaborative Strategies for Human Prosperity
Registration is open
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2026 Combined SECoPA/NECoPA Event
Norfolk, Virginia | September 17-19
Theme: Two Regions, One Future: Shaping Governance, Policy and Public Management through Research, Education and Practice
Call for Papers is open
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ABFM 38th Annual Research Conference
George Washington University Student Center | September 24-27
Theme: Shared Challenges, Shared Resources: Managing Public Budgeting and Finance in a Multi-Level System
Call for Papers is open
Calls for proposals, calls for nominations and other updates:
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Call for Applications: Ian Axford Fellowships
The Ian Axford fellowship has opened the application period for 2027. Ian Axford Fellowships in public policy were established in 1995 by the New Zealand Government to reinforce links between New Zealand and the United States. Fellowships are sponsored by New Zealand government agencies and other organizations, and provide participants with the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of public policy in New Zealand. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen with at least five years of experience in your field; be a mid-career professional active in any part of the public, business or non-profit sector; be a potential leader and opinion-former in your chosen field; and have an interest in learning from your experience in New Zealand, and capable of putting to effective use in the U.S., any policy lessons learned. Click here for more information. Applications are due April 21.
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ABFM Research Conference Call for Proposals
Public budgeting and financial management operate within an increasingly complex, interconnected system of national, state and local governments. Responsibilities are shared. Revenues are interdependent. Risks are distributed unevenly. Pressures—from economic volatility and infrastructure demands to health care financing and climate adaptation—cross jurisdictional boundaries. The Association for Budgeting and Financial Management 2026 conference invites scholars and practitioners to explore how public finance systems function in a multilevel governance environment. How are responsibilities and resources aligned? How do grants, mandates and revenue authority shape fiscal behavior? How can budgeting institutions adapt to shared challenges while maintaining accountability and sustainability? Hosting the conference in Washington, DC provides a timely setting to examine the evolving relationships among federal agencies, states, municipalities and regional entities. Panel, paper and poster proposals must be received via this link by May 1, to be considered for inclusion in the 2026 conference. Questions or comments about your proposal should be sent to conference committee chair Hai (David) Guo. Notice of accepted proposals will be sent by June 12. Conference registration, hotel and travel information will be available soon at www.abfm.org. Click here for more information.
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2026 Combined SECoPA/NECoPA Call for Papers
SECoPA and NECoPA are joining forces for a combined 2026 conference, taking place in Norfolk, Virginia, September 17-19. The 2026 SECoPA–NECoPA conference theme reflects a commitment to advancing public administration by bridging regional perspectives from the Southeast and Northeast. It emphasizes the dynamic interplay between academic research, professional education and applied practice in shaping the future of governance, policy and public management. By convening scholars, educators and practitioners, the conference fosters cross-regional dialogue on pressing public service challenges, such as climate resilience, equity, intergovernmental coordination and institutional trust. The theme invites comparative analysis, pedagogical innovation and practice-informed scholarship that strengthen public administration and prepare the next generation of public leaders. Tracks include critical issues in public administration; bridging regions and sectors; emerging issues; and public administration education and pedagogy. Proposals are due by May 15. Click here for more information.
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Call for Proposals: Journal of Health and Human Services Administration
The Journal of Health and Human Services Administration (JHHSA) invites submissions for a special symposium titled "Building Healthy Communities: The Nexus between Public Administration and Public Health." This symposium seeks articles that examine how public administration shapes the health of the public through policy design, governance, leadership and delivery of health and human services. We are particularly interested in locally grounded work that addresses practical challenges facing communities in urban, rural, tribal and other local settings, with attention to how administrative systems respond to social, economic, environmental and infrastructural conditions affecting population health. Submissions may include applied research, policy or administrative analyses, program evaluations and practice oriented reports that offer actionable insights for practitioners and decisionmakers in health departments, human services agencies and policy environments. Contributions should clearly articulate implications for practice and governance and may include recommendations for improving public systems, cross-sector collaboration and community outcomes. The symposium welcomes work that centers accountability, equity and effectiveness in advancing the capacity of public institutions to promote community health and well-being. Initial submissions are due May 15. Click here for more information.
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Call for Papers: Special Issue on Accounting for What Matters (Financial Accountability & Management)
Public sector organizations are navigating economic instability, climate crises, inequities and political pressures, often forced to balance financial sustainability with the equally vital goals of social sustainability and equity. This special issue invites research that rethinks public sector accounting and accountability, not only as tools for fiscal management but also as frameworks that foster inclusion, fairness, resilience and long-term public value. Editors welcome conceptual, empirical and comparative studies addressing how accounting can better embed social sustainability, manage value trade-offs, strengthen organizational resilience and challenge existing power dynamics. Case studies, longitudinal analyses and critical perspectives across diverse contexts (health care, education, social services, etc.) are encouraged. Click here for more information. Submissions are due June 30.
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Call for Papers: Public Money & Management (PMM) Theme
For this theme issue the publishers are looking for disciplinary eclecticism. They seek contributions that bring together insights from several disciplines including law, social sciences, public management and the study of politics. Traditionally public management has not engaged in "constitutional’ conversations." However, the rise of what has been identified within the political landscape as "populism" calls for a cross-disciplinary perspective to understand whether, and how, it is impacting public management and administration. Contributions of 8,000-word research articles, 1,000-word debate pieces and 3,500-word new development articles are asked to consider, but are not limited to: are we facing the limits of traditional thinking in public management? Is there a problem, incipient or actual, facing public managers if they are becoming answerable to politicians (1) with a value set that is antagonistic to the values of public management (if such exist); (2) antagonistic to the liberal, law-based state; (3) who may be poised to break the law—or make decisions that are likely to be challenged in courts? What is "extremism"/populism? Do public managers observe/answer to a code that protects them against orders (short of law-breaking)? How far do existing doctrines of accountability accommodate answerability for extremist policies? What lessons could public managers learn from international and comparative perspectives from the rise of populism in different political systems and architectures? The publishers are seeking both conceptual and case examples to address the questions above. All submissions should follow the PMM author guidelines and be submitted via ScholarOne. Find more information online. All submissions are due October 1.
PA TIMES Online
Here's a selection of current pieces on PA TIMES Online, covering a range of issues within the profession. We accept individual articles on a rolling basis; if you have a piece you think would fit our publication, submit it to [email protected] for consideration. (Please review our submission guidelines in advance!)
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