Making a difference: Good governance in disrupted states

ABSTRACT

Public and community service operates within a demanding array of challenges. Many of these challenges are disruptive forces that originate from well beyond jurisdictional boundaries yet call upon local, state and national institutions to respond. In response to the disruptive forces, we witness the initiation and creation of new kinds of public service designs and partnerships. This article outlines the diversity of member institutions the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) and the role each play in enhancing public service in their communities. The article assesses how NASPAA - as a global institution - plays a role in advancing public service education globally by engaging members to establish common standards of educational practices and setting expectations for program outcomes. The article outlines current and future program practices that need to be encouraged in order to address disruptive forces and maintain program strengths in public service education that make a difference in our communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Disruptive states
• MPA programs
• NASPAA
• public service education

Acknowledgment

Many thanks to those who contributed to the development of this presentation: Christopher Koliba of the University of Vermont, Laurel McFarland, Heather Hamilton, Stacy Drudy, Leigh Anne Elliott, and Cristal Calarusse of NASPAA.

Notes

1. There are 78 Schools in the NASPAA Comprehensive Section.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jack W. Meek

Jack W. Meek, serves as president of the 300+ member National Association of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). This global network of graduate schools of public service seeks to ensure excellence in education and training for public service and promotes the ideal of public service. Professor Meek is University of La Verne Academy professor and professor of Public Administration at the College of Business and Public Management at the University of La Verne in Southern California. Professor Meek serves as director of the Center for Research and offers courses in research, managing complex systems and collaborative public management. His research focuses on metropolitan governance including the emergence of local and regional collaboration and partnerships, policy networks, and citizen engagement. Professor Meek has over 60 academic publications. Jack has coauthored and coedited books on governance networks, business improvement districts, intergovernmental relations, and complex governance systems. Jack serves on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Organizational Theory and Behavior, Complexity, Governance and Networks, Journal of Globalization Studies, and Forum for Social Economics and Social Agenda.