#NASPAA #Conference 2023 Takeaways and Lessons Learned

The NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) 2023 annual conference in Pittsburgh, PA brought together faculty, program directors, and administrators in public affairs, public policy, and public administration to discuss challenges and opportunities in delivering educational programs and services to our diverse students across the nation.

I was grateful for:

• the generosity of NASPAA attendees in sharing the important lessons they have learned in program design, delivery, and sustainability -- the efforts at collaboration among what are typically competitor institutions was inspiring and comforting

• the commitment by the Deans Summit supported by the Volcker Alliance, especially Deans Nisha Botchwey, Carissa Slotterback, and Matt Auer, to pipeline and mentor the next generation of leaders from underrepresented backgrounds through the Future Leaders of Schools of Public Service initiative -- at the panel session, we talked about how the program demystified administrative leadership, made long-standing connections among senior administrative leaders and future administrative leaders, and provided important skills and lessons for both mentees and mentors

• the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from across the country (photo below courtesy of Dean Carissa Slotterback, U Pitt; left to right, Dean Stacey S White, UIC; Dean Slotterback, and me) and from my own institution -- also, meeting colleagues that I had not met before was energizing as was the opportunity to sit and talk -- having the time to sit and talk was truly a gift

Source: Carissa Slotterback

• being able to revisit the City of Pittsburgh after so many years -- there are issues that challenge the city and region, but for these few days of the conference, the skies were blue and there was plenty of sun, the venues were engaging, and the Pittsburghers were as friendly as I remember from my graduate school days

Thank you to the local host institutions and NASPAA for your hard work and gracious hospitality!