ASPA Slate of Nominees Announced

ASPA's Nominating Committee has placed the following individuals on this year's election ballot. Those standing for election are:

District 1

• Tony Mazzucco
• Malcolm Oliver

• Marlon Brown (incumbent)
• Alisa Moldavanova

• Tihara Richardson Sommers
• Eric Zeemering

• Kitty Wooley (incumbent)

• Joel Vallett

• Aroon Manoharan
• Andrew Podger
• Michele Tantardini
• Alfred Wu

• Eric Devezin
• S. Mohsen Fatemi
• Sina Jangjoo

2026 Annual Conference Registration Is Open—Get Excited for Hollywood!

ASPA is excited to welcome everyone to Hollywood next March! Registration is open; current early-bird rates will apply through December 12, 2025.

Rates* are as follows:

• Members: $449
• Students/New Professional Members: $279
• Two-Day Member Admittance: $329
• Nonmembers: $559
• Two-Day Nonmember Admittance: $439

• Four plenary lectures
• Nine presidential panels
• Opening Reception
• International Assembly
• Multiple university and Section receptions
• Student and New Professional Summit
• More than 150 concurrent sessions
• Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Luncheon
• SWPA National Awards Breakfast
• Ten Section symposia and a poster session

ASPA Annual Awards Call for Nominations Closes This Friday

ASPA’s annual awards program is your opportunity to nominate someone to be recognized by ASPA and its members as one of public administration's most dedicated contributors. Who will you nominate? Some possibilities include:

• An elected official or public administrator who has dedicated themselves to the public good
• Unsung scholars who produce excellent research
• Nonprofit managers and organizations that provide valued community services
• A public official who has stood up for equity and integrity, maybe despite extreme personal costs
• Someone who has bridged the academic/practitioner divide and encouraged best practices as a result
• Someone who is all-around excellent

Make the most of this opportunity to nominate them to be recognized for their efforts this March during ASPA’s 2026 Annual Conference! More than 20 awards honor a variety of practitioners and scholars who advance excellence in public service at all levels. Your name, or someone you know, could be on the list! Just some of the awards categories for which one can be nominated include:

• National Public Service Award
• Nesta M. Gallas Award
• Gloria Hobson Nordin Social Equity Award
• Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Exemplary Practices Award
• Paul A. Volcker Public Integrity Award
• Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award
• Paul P. Van Riper Award
• Wallace O. Keene ASPA Conference Scholarship

Find all of our categories listed online. Remember that nominees do not necessarily have to be an ASPA member to be considered depending on the category. City managers, local government service providers, nonprofit executives, public health advocates, organizations and more are eligible. Review each award's criteria and finalize your nomination materials by the deadline.

Every year more than 30 public servants are recognized by ASPA as exemplifying the best of public administration, but only those who are nominated can be considered! Review ASPA's awards program details and submit your nominations no later than this Friday, November 14 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

E-Learning at Your Fingertips

ASPA staff work tirelessly to keep your skills up to date and the information flowing all year long through our e-learning program. Visit our website to see more details about upcoming KeepingCurrent, BookTalk and Student and New Professional series programming.



KeepingCurrent: Removing the Guardrails: Federal Ethics Infrastructure in Turmoil
November 18 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
Sponsored by ASPA's Section on Ethics and Integrity in Governance

Speakers:
Bob Smith, Chair, ASPA Section on Ethics and Integrity in Governance
Joseph Tirrell, Former Chief Ethics Officer, United States Department of Justice

Ethics and integrity in the public service are under increased scrutiny in today’s volatile political and governmental environment. This has placed tremendous pressures on "ethics infrastructure," including ethics laws and offices, and inspectors general. This webinar, featuring remarks from Joseph Tirrell, former chief ethics officer at the U.S. Department of Justice, will look back and forward at the role of ethics in the federal government and offer a comprehensive dialogue on the primacy of ethics during these tumultuous administrative and political times.




KeepingCurrent: The Challenge and Promise of Equity Considerations in Performance Auditing
November 20 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET
In partnership with ASPA's Frederickson Center for Social Equity

Speakers:
Katherine Barrett, Moderator, Chair, H. George Frederickson Center for Social Equity
Benoy Jacob, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
Jennifer McGuirk, Auditor, Multnomah County
Anupreet Sidhu, Principal Auditor, King County

The idea of including an equity lens when evaluating government programs has been an informal part of government auditing processes since the mid-1990s. The concept, in line with more general social equity practice, considers equity as one of the core tenets of good government and is addressed in the 2021 technical revision of the Government Accountability Office’s Yellow Book, which provides standards for government auditors. In this webinar, the author of a new report about equity in auditing discusses the challenges and promise of auditing for equity with local government auditors.




From the Archives
KeepingCurrent: No Such Thing as a Free Lunch? Examining the Impacts of Federal Cuts to Children's Food Assistance Programs
This webinar, which took place in May 2025, discussed the impact recent federal cuts to food assistance programs were having on low-income families, particularly school-age children. Speakers discussed the broad range of repercussions food insecurity can have on children as they grow and develop. (Members only)




Students and New Professionals: Preparing for Success: Interview Strategies in the AI Era
This workshop explored proven strategies for presenting yourself effectively in interviews, from preparation and research to professional presence and follow-up. Participants also learned how to leverage AI tools to refine resumes, practice role-playing and gain confidence before interview day. (Members only)

Project 2025 Implemented: A Five-Part Series

Project 2025. Dominating news headlines for more than a year, it has been at the center of heated political debate and public scrutiny. As we see this policy blueprint rolled out in real time and at breakneck speed, a real focus on its implementation and administration has been overlooked. Until now.

ASPA is hosting Project 2025 Implemented, a five-part series examining how the Trump administration has—or has not—implemented Project 2025. Focusing on good governance themes like professionalism, accountability, ethics and equity, speakers will discuss what we've seen so far, what we can expect moving forward and what lies ahead for public administration impacts and outcomes.

More details are as follows and on our website. These webinars are free and open to all participants (ASPA member or not); recordings are being posted to our website after each episode takes place. We hope you will join us for one of the upcoming programs.

Redefining Governance: How Project 2025 Impacts Institutions and Social Trust
November 13 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

Speakers:
Eric Katz, Moderator, Senior Correspondent, Government Executive
Don Kettl, Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland
Rob Shriver, Managing Director, Democracy Forward and Former Deputy Director, Office of Personnel Management
David M. Walker, Former Comptroller General of the United States

Join us for the next episode in our Project 2025 series, where we examine how proposed changes to the federal government's structure and oversight could impact public sector performance and accountability. This session will explore the potential consequences of consolidating executive authority and shifting personnel structures. Experts from across the public policy and accountability landscape will weigh in on what these changes could mean for good governance, public trust and the performance of federal agencies. Join us for this critical discussion on the future of performance and accountability in the public sector.




Professionalism in Peril? The Exodus of Expertise from Government
December 2 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

Speakers:
G. Edward DeSeve, Coordinator, Agile Government Center, National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA); Special Advisor to the President (Obama Administration)
William G. Resh, Professor of Public Management and Policy, Andrew Young School of Public Service, University of Georgia
Susan Toman-Jones, Former Director, Presidential Management Fellowship Program

In this installment of our Project 2025 series, we turn our attention to the foundation of effective governance: professional expertise. Our speakers will discuss how Project 2025's proposed reforms have upended long-standing norms of merit, competence, neutrality and institutional knowledge in the federal workforce. This discussion will offer a deep dive into how proposed changes may reshape the culture, capacity and credibility of the federal workforce. Join us to examine what is at stake for professional governance in an era of heightened political influence.




Ethics under Pressure: Project 2025 and Public Integrity
January 29 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

Part four of our Project 2025 series focuses on a critical and timely topic: the importance of ethics and accountability frameworks in the federal government. This discussion will examine how structural and personnel changes place additional strain on long-standing ethical norms and administrative responsibilities. We will discuss the many ramifications of these challenges and provide context, analysis and potential pathways for preserving ethical governance in a shifting political environment. Join us for this discussion on safeguarding integrity and responsibility in public service.




Social Equity in the Crosshairs: Examining the Equity Consequences of Federal Policy Reform
January 29 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. ET

Our final episode in this series examines the potential impacts of proposed reforms on historically underserved and marginalized communities. This webinar will explore how structural and ideological shifts in federal and state governance will reshape the landscape of equity-focused public service, with attention to the potential rollback or elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives across federal agencies and service delivery; specific risks to equity in education, housing, health care and other essential services; and the role of public administrators and civil servants in protecting equitable access amid political and institutional pressure.

In Memoriam: Nancy Kingsbury

Nancy Rowena Kingsbury Leuba passed away in October, after suffering the after-effects of a fall in Australia that left her bedridden for the last two years of her life.

Kingsbury Leuba was a member of ASPA for almost 50 years, having spent most of her career serving the government in a variety of capacities. She was a member of the National Capital Area Chapter, the Section on International and Comparative Administration, the Section on Science and Technology in Government, the Section on Personnel Administration and Labor Relations, the Section on Public Performance and Management and the Section on Procurement and Contract Management. She served on a number of ASPA committees throughout her tenure, including the task force on accountability in public service, a number of awards committees, a number of conference committees and on Public Administration Review editorial boards. Kingsbury received ASPA's Elmer B. Staats Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.

Kingsbury Leuba was the first person in her family to go to college; she attended the University of Miami on a scholarship from General Motors. She went on to attend Johns Hopkins University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow, where she received her MA and PhD, after which she worked for Human Sciences Research, where she published original research that demonstrated that most medical errors flow from "human error." The report generated an employment offer with the National Bureau of Standards, which later led to a position at the U.S. Civil Service Commission. She was recommended for a management job at the Peace Corps (which transitioned to a clerk/typist role during the Reagan administration).

Kingsbury Leuba returned to the Civil Service Commission main office to implement the Americans with Disabilities Act when it was enacted in 1990. She was offered an executive position at the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—the first women ever hired by GAO from outside into an executive position—supervising their public employment oversight and later heading the Air Force group. By the end of her career, she was managing their applied research and methods group, where all the technical specialties had been collected in a single unit.

Kingsbury Leuba also served as adjunct faculty at American University where she taught in the Key Executive Program.

Kingsbury Leuba served in a variety of offices in the American Evaluation Association (AEA) and was a fellow and member of the Board of Directors of the National Academy of Public Administration. In 2005, she was awarded the AEA Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Award for Evaluation in Government. She also received multiple awards at GAO, including the Comptroller General's Award, Distinguished Service Award and the John Henry Luke Mentoring Award.

Find her official obituary online here.

ASPA Founders' Fellows Applications Due By November 17

Calling all rising stars! ASPA's Founders' Fellows program application window will close on Monday, November 17. There are only 30 spots available, so finalize your materials carefully and make sure they showcase why you should be considered for one of them.

The Founders' Fellows program is ASPA's flagship program for the next generation of public service leaders and professionals. Fellows will receive unparalleled networking opportunities with public administration legends, the chance to attend and present at ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference, author a piece in PA Times Online, benefit from specially planned web-based professional development and more.

This program is for new public administration professionals at every level—federal, state, local and nonprofit—plus those pursuing careers in an academic or research setting. It is open to doctoral and masters students, as well as those in the first three years of their professional careers.

The Founders' Fellows program recognizes the exceptional accomplishments and future potential of the next generation of public servants—in the academic and/or practitioner communities. The 2026 class will demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and professional promise. Fellows receive the following benefits:

• Guaranteed acceptance to present their work at ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference, March 20-24 in Hollywood, including complimentary registration and hotel room
• A year-long mentorship with a senior mentor in the discipline, matched with each Fellow based on professional and academic interests
• Tailored professional improvement webinars that address their specific educational and professional needs

• Contact information and relevant biographical details
• An outline of career and research interests
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• An essay
• A letter of recommendation

Have questions? Visit our website for more details, click here to access the application or contact ASPA staff for assistance.

Remember: All applications are due by November 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET.



Travel to the 2026 Annual Conference in Hollywood, and all related expenses to be paid by individual Fellows or their sponsoring organization. Fellows are required to attend the entirety of the conference.

Now Announcing: Communities of Interest

ASPA's National Council recently voted to establish "communities of interest" as a new way for members to affiliate with each other across a range of topics and interest areas.

ASPA has had Chapters and Sections for decades, which have ebbed and flowed in popularity and activity level. In adding communities of interest to this mix of options, the National Council recognizes that not all Sections are able to organize fully and stay active in ways required by ASPA's policies and procedures. This new option enables small groups of ASPA members to create and disestablish themselves as interest rises and falls.

The biggest difference between Sections and communities of interest will be the very limited staff support communities will receive: no rebates (money to spend), no staff assistance and limited web presence. This also means communities do not have requirements to fulfill, governance elements to maintain or member marketing to support.

Those who are interested in starting a community can read ASPA's policies to learn more and contact staff with any questions.

Boost Your Brand This Fall with ASPA!

Did you know: ASPA hosts advertising opportunities all year long? From a single website placement to a long-term ad in one of our newsletters (like this one!) to targeted email sends, there are so many opportunities to use ASPA's media to promote your brand.

In fact, this newsletter is one of our best placements! Sent to more than 15,000 people and receiving a 45 percent open rate, this is an excellent place for your brand to shine. Placements are available for December and January editions!

Additional options include:

• PA TIMES Online Email and Website
  
  • Distributed via email to 12,000 people per edition with a 37 percent open rate
  • 85 percent of website viewers are new
  • Email and web placement: $2,150 per month
  • Purchase this pair for six months: $10,000
• ASPA’s Website, www.aspanet.org
  
  • Accessed by 30,000 unique viewers per month
  • 82 percent of viewers are new
  • Side navigation placement: $2,290 per month
  • Purchase this for six months: $12,000
• Targeted Email Blasts
  
  • Sent to your desired demographic
  • You provide the art, we provide the list!
  • $1 per address

Welcoming the Arkansas Chapter

ASPA's National Council recently voted to reestablish its Arkansas Chapter under the leadership of Christopher Tyler Burks of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The Chapter brings together scholars, students and practitioners statewide to advance excellence in public service and plans to host the 2028 Southeastern Conference for Public Administration (SECoPA) in Little Rock.

ASPA members in Arkansas have been added into the Chapter automatically. Anyone who wishes to join the Chapter in addition to their current one may pay $10 to do so. Contact ASPA's membership department for assistance.

Becoming a 2026 All-America City

Each year, the National Civic League honors 10 outstanding communities with the All-America City Award, celebrating excellence in local innovation, civic engagement and cross-sector collaboration. This prestigious award highlights the remarkable potential within communities to address critical issues and drive meaningful change when residents, businesses and nonprofit and government leaders work in concert. As the nation marks 250 years since its founding, we reflect on the ongoing journey to fulfill the promise of a government by, for and of the people. The 2026 All-America City Award will recognize communities that are bringing these founding ideals to life by ensuring that the power to shape the future resides with the people. The award will spotlight communities across the country that are creatively engaging residents in collective efforts to create thriving and welcoming places where trust and belonging are abundant. Optional letters of intent are due by January 5, 2026; applications are due by February 26. Click here for more information.

Virtual Museum of Public Service Online!

The Virtual Museum of Public Service (VMPS) is online, featuring more than 20 free exhibits. The museum’s mission is to inspire future public servants, educate the media and the public as to the sacrifices and achievements of government professionals and document the contributions and critical roles of our partners.

VMPS offers visually appealing multimedia exhibits across eight galleries, including foundations of public service; science in service to the public; education for the public service; breaking barriers in public service; public service beyond government; public service: dangerous service; public service: ideals into actions; and special exhibits. Teaching and Learning resources, and a bookstore offering scores of titles, help deepen classroom and individual discovery.

Please share this message with your network. All are welcome to submit proposals for exhibits, curricular resources and related books or articles that would deepen the dialogue on public service. Professors and faculty also may be interested in submitting articles to the museum's peer-reviewed, open-access journal, Public Voices, which is linked to the museum under the “About” tab.

Please also consider becoming an organizational sponsor of VMPS (via the "donate/sponsor" button). As a special offer for schools and programs in public affairs and administration, sponsors at the bronze level ($ 1,000-$ 5,000 per annum) will have their logo recognized on the sponsorship page and in all promotional materials.

Tips, Resources and Updates

Student Loan Forgiveness Lawsuit on Hold During Government Shutdown—What Borrowers Need to Know
With a union lawsuit against the Trump administration on hold during the government shutdown, borrowers' wait times for student loan forgiveness may get even longer.

What FEHB Changes Mean for Your 2026 Health Coverage
Premiums are shifting and the government contribution varies. Here's what to know to avoid surprises and save where you can.

Shopping for ACA Health Plans This Open Enrollment? Here's What to Know
This year's Obamacare open enrollment period ... is full of uncertainty and confusion for the more than 24 million people who buy health insurance through the federal and state Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

Use This Checklist to Make the Most of 2026 FEHB Open Season
From rising premiums to fewer plan choices, this guide walks you through reviewing benefits, checking provider networks and using tax-advantaged accounts to keep your healthcare costs in check next year.

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

• How to Navigate the Impact of Manipulation and Removal of Federal Data: Expert Advice, Reporting Tips and Resources
• U.S. Cyber Policy Goals Have Regressed During Trump 2.0 in "Unprecedented Setback," Landmark Report Says
• USDA Is Reopening Some 2,100 Offices to Help Farmers Access $3 Billion in Aid Despite the Ongoing Shutdown
• CBP Expands Facial Recognition for Non-Citizens at Borders
• EPA Deepens Work with Water Sector amid Rising Cyber Concerns
• Public Lands: Trump Administration Moves to Repeal Landmark Public Lands Rule
• FAA Will Reduce Air Traffic by 10% at Many Airports to Maintain Safety
• CBO Systems Accessed in "Security Incident" Possibly Tied to Foreign Hackers
• IRS Returns to Relying on Tax Prep Companies for Free Filing Options without Direct File
• The Government's Software Is Decrepit. The Shutdown Isn't Helping
• Bill to End Shutdown Includes Temporary Cyber Info-Sharing Law Extension

• Protecting Federal Prisons from Shutdown Benefits All of Us
• Judiciary Democrats Launch Watchdog Website amid Withheld Funding from Inspector General Group
• A Look at Russell Vought's Influence and His Push to Reshape the Government
• "Uncharted Territory": Ongoing Shutdown Threatens Food Aid for 42 Million People
• USDA Won't Shuffle Funds to Extend SNAP During Shutdown, in About-Face from Earlier Plan
• DOD Accepts Anonymous $130 Million Donation to Partially Cover Troop Pay
• That Time One Agency Shut Down for One Day and Changed Government Forever
• Trump Administration Moves to Overrule State Laws Protecting Credit Reports from Medical Debt
• Inside the Secret Service Hunt for Skimmers as Outdated SNAP Cards Let Thieves Steal Millions
• White House Pushes Agencies to Deregulate Faster
• Shutdown Furloughs Will Permanently Cost the Economy at Least $7 Billion, CBO Says
• USDA Transfers $13 Billion into "Slush Fund" for Future Tariff Relief
• Judge Orders Trump Administration to Pay SNAP Benefits with Emergency Funds
• Trump Admin Moves to Exclude Certain Employers from Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Unveiling Acquisition Overhaul, Hegseth Tells Industry to Get with the Program

• Top CISA Official Exits for TSA Role amid Recent Cyber Office Reductions
• Hegseth Fired the Air Force's Top Lawyer. The JAG Who Took on the Job Is Stepping Away.
• Trump Nominates ex-New Mexico Lawmaker to Oversee Public Lands
• Energy Names Its Third Permanent CIO Since the Start of Trump 2.0
• FDA Names Agency Veteran to Run Drug Division
• Federal and Postal Workers to See Double-Digit Health Care Premium Increases Again Next Year
• Which Agencies Do Americans Think Are Doing a Good Job?
• Security Clearance Secrecy Faces New Scrutiny after Elon Musk Disclosures
• Inside America's Next Information War
• Health Premiums to Spike for Federal Employees in 2026
• Cost-of-Living Adjustments Will Stay Relatively Static in 2026
• The Republican Plan to Reform the Census Could Put Everyone's Privacy at Risk
• Trump Rule Could Bar Some Public Servants from Student Loan Forgiveness
• Trump Plans to Install Border Patrol Officials to Lead a More Aggressive Migrant Crackdown
• OPM to Pursue "Mass Deferment" of Deadlines for CyberCorps Students
• Longest Shutdown in History Creating a Readiness Hole of Unknown Proportions

• The Trump Administration Executive Order on Gender Continues to Reverberate
• Proposed FAR Changes Remove Contractor Diversity Requirements, Keep Disability Rules
• The Trump Administration Is Erasing American History Told by Public Lands and Waters
• Trump Pushes an End to Medical Care for Transgender Youth Nationally
• Supreme Court Allows Trump to Prohibit Gender Election on Passports
• Nonprofits' AI Dilemma: Equity Gaps and Privacy Perils in the Tech Rush

Members in the News

Barrett and Greene:
What the Public Workforce Needs More Than Ever: Adaptability

Don Kettl:
Armageddon in the Civil Service and
Mr. Trump and Mr. Burr

Don Kettl, Ron Sanders:
Trump's Latest Order Requires Strategic Plans Reflective of Presidential "Priorities" to Resume Hiring

Don Moynihan:
The Risks of Letting Trump Become the Military Paymaster,
Trump Has Polarized How the Public Views Politicization and
Who's Threatening Who?

Alan Shark:
AI: Five Questions Every Public Administrator Must Ask

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:

• Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program for New Managers
  Online | January 26-February 17, 2026
  Title: Leading People, Building Teams
  Click here for more information
  
  
• 2026 COMPA Conference
  North Carolina Central University | February 22-25, 2026
  Theme: Building Futures by Bridging Divides: Public Servants Charting the Course for Tomorrow’s Governance
  The Call for Proposals is open
  
  
• 2026 PATNet Conference
  New Delhi, India | February 26-March 1, 2026
  
  
• 2026 ASPA Annual Conference
  Hollywood, California | March 20-24, 2026
  Theme: Building a Bridge to Resilience and Renewal
  Registration is open
  
  
• 2026 NAPA SELC
  Newark, NJ | May 28-30, 2026
  Theme: Leading and Learning toward a Future for All—A 25th SELC Anniversary Celebration
  Call for Proposals is open
  
  

• SICA Call for Nominations
  ASPA's Section on International and Comparative Administration (SICA) has opened its call for nominations for its annual awards program. It seeks nominations for three awards: the Fred Riggs Award, the David Gould Scholarship and the Jeanne-Marie Col Leadership Award. All nominations are due by November 15.
  
  The 2026 Fred Riggs Award for Lifetime Achievement in International and Comparative Public Administration: This award was established by SICA in 1985 to recognize scholars who made significant and widely recognized contributions to the conceptual, theoretical and/or operational progress in the fields of international, comparative and/or development administration. This award is named in honor of Fred W. Riggs, a pioneer in these fields and a leading founder of SICA. Each letter of nomination should indicate in some depth the person's intellectual achievements and relevant qualifications for the Fred Riggs Award. You should include the nominee's CV as well as any other supporting documents. There should be at least two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from a SICA member. All nomination materials should be sent directly to Cristina Stanica. The committee will announce the winner in January 2026 and present the award at the SICA business Meeting at the 2026 ASPA Annual Conference.
  
  The 2026 David Gould Scholarship: This scholarship offers talented graduate students in the fields of public administration, public policy or international development some support to facilitate their participation in the ASPA Annual Conference. This scholarship is named in honor of David Gould, who was an active SICA member and long-time professor of public administration at the University of Pittsburgh. He was among those killed in the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, December 21, 1988. Each year one or two students receive a nominal stipend ($500) to attend the ASPA Annual Conference and SICA’s Riggs Symposium. For the 2026 ASPA Annual Conference, the stipend will help students defray registration costs. To nominate a graduate student, send a letter of nomination by a faculty member and the student’s CV to Charlene M. L. Roach.
  
  The 2026 Jeanne-Marie Col Leadership Award: Established by SICA in 2016, the award recognizes individual members who have made significant contributions to the development of the Section on International and Comparative Administration. Letters of nomination should indicate detailed contributions of nominees to, and leadership roles within, SICA. You should include an explanation about how the nominee’s contributions have helped to transform and enrich SICA and how SICA will continue to benefit in the future from the nominee’s work. Include relevant supporting documents as well. Each nominee will require at least two letters of nomination from SICA members. The Jeanne-Marie Col Leadership Award Committee will give due consideration to all nominations and related materials after the submission deadline. The Committee will announce the winner in January 2026 and present the award at the SICA business meeting at the 2026 ASPA Annual Conference. Send all nominations to Atta Ceesay.
  
  
• SPAR Best Book Award Call for Nominations
  ASPA's Section on Public Administration Research (SPAR) invites your best book award nominations. The Section welcomes nominations for public administration books published in 2025 and 2024. The criterion for the award is a book that significantly contributes to research in public administration. All research methods and books across the wide range of public administration research are welcome. Books primarily written as textbooks will not be considered. The Section welcomes international publications written in English. Only books that contribute to public administration research and theory will be considered. This recognition will be awarded at the ASPA Annual Conference in Hollywood in March. A nominating committee comprised of SPAR members will review each nomination and choose the award winners. Nominations should list the book title, author and publisher and include at least a one-page summary outlining the book's unique contributions. The nomination documents should be emailed to the review committee chairperson, Brad Johnson. The deadline for nominations for books is December 1, 2025.
  
  
• Teaching Democracy in Challenging Times? Take the Public Administration Instructor Survey
  Recent actions of the current presidential administration and some states are calling on public administration and policy studies instructors across the United States to critically examine the extent to which their teaching and learning objectives align with democratic values and standards. We recognize that in some states, instructors are being forced to cancel courses and modify curriculum. Others are doing so to preempt any action by state officials. To better understand the depth and breadth of challenges to teaching public administration and policy studies in the current environment, we invite all full and part-time instructors of public administration and policy studies to complete a survey. This survey asks about the extent to which democratic standards are being addressed in courses taught and whether course content and curriculum is being censored by the state or self-censored by the instructor. The survey also looks at the extent to which democratic standards are being addressed in present accreditation standards. Respondents will have the option to remain anonymous. The information collected will be used to better understand the extent to which the public administration and policy studies field is responding to the present times. It also will be used to inform a pre-conference workshop focusing on the role of democratic standards in teaching public administration and policy studies during the upcoming Network of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration conference. The survey should take no longer than 15 minutes and has undergone human subjects review. Only aggregated results will be shared in public forums and used to inform workshops designed to address the pressing challenges of the times. The survey is being advanced by a group of researchers including Christopher Koliba, University of Kansas; Mary Guy, University of Colorado Denver; Richard Callahan, University of San Francisco; Sarah Young, Kennesaw State; and Sean McCandless, University of Texas, Dallas. Any questions about the survey can be directed to Chris Koliba. The link to the survey may be found here. Any and all full and part-time instructors teaching public administration or policy studies in the United States are invited to complete the survey by December 15, 2025.
  
  
• SDSJ Awards Call for Nominations
  ASPA's Section on Democracy and Social Justice (SDSJ) has released its call for nominations for its annual awards: Peer Reviewed Article of the Year, Book of the Year, Capstone/Thesis of the Year and Doctoral Dissertation of the Year. All works submitted for consideration must have been published between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025. Articles assigned to a volume/issue as well as OnlineFirst publications are accepted; solo- and co-authored books and edited volumes are also accepted. Capstones/theses and doctoral dissertations submitted for consideration must have been successfully defended by December 31, 2025. Self-nominations and nominations submitted on behalf of others are accepted; multiple submissions also are welcome. All nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Friday, December 31, 2025. Award recipients will receive a certificate and be acknowledged at the Section's annual business meeting at ASPA's 2026 Annual Conference, as well as in our Section communications. Click here to access the form.
  
  
• Call for Proposals: NAPA SELC 2026
  Throughout the world, we are witnessing shifts in governance and democracy, what it means to be a citizen and who is deserving of civil and human rights. In this changing global environment, leadership in public service and advocating for justice to enhance equity in practices and policies are profoundly important. This year, we embrace the call to enhance social equity in public service by focusing on learning from each other to help us lead our institutions and communities toward the future in ways that benefit all. The 2026 SELC will focus on how and what we can do to address the challenges facing social equity in public service today and into the future. As NAPA celebrates SELC's 25th anniversary, the conference seek to advance social equity and build a path that will lead to a better future. Organizers particularly encourage proposals from practitioners and community leaders, as well as academics and students. Proposals that highlight intersectional dimensions of leadership are especially welcome. Tracks include: leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors; pursuing equity and safeguarding civil rights; challenges to higher education in a changing world; impacts of federal policy changes on state and local governments and nonprofit organizations; artificial intelligence, data and evidence; and governance, equity and human rights around the world. Click here to submit your proposal. All proposals are due by January 18, 2026.
  
  
• 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, 2026.
  
  
• AI Survey Inquiry
  If you are using AI tools in your classes and/or allow your students to use them, and would like to share your experience, please contact Mila Gasco Hernandez. She is conducting a research study, “AI in Public Affairs Education: Future Promise or Present Reality?” which aims to understand the extent to which public affairs programs are addressing and discussing AI in the classroom environment. In particular, this research study addresses two research questions: (1) how and under what conditions are AI tools being used in the classroom by both faculty and students? and (2) what are the benefits and the challenges of using AI tools in the teaching-learning process?
  
  

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!)

• Politics of Higher Education
  By Phil Wilkerson
  
  
• Creating Communities of Belonging
  By Renée Cardarelle
  
  
• Where Have All the Strategic Plans Gone?
  By Andrew Kleine