The University of Kansas Retains No. 1 Position as a Leader in Local Government Management
– LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) has announced its continued recognition as the No. 1 program in Local Government Management by the 2025 U.S. News & World Report (USNWR).
This achievement underscores SPAA’s enduring commitment to preparing exceptional leaders for the public sector and advancing innovative solutions in public governance.
KU SPAA celebrates a major milestone in 2025 as it marks the 75th anniversary of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. This anniversary recognizes the school’s foundational role in shaping public service leadership, beginning with the first City Management cohort in 1950 under Edwin O. Stene. Over the decades, SPAA has expanded its impact through initiatives like the Public Management Center, now celebrating 50 years of excellence, and public service degree programs, such as the Master of Urban Planning, which has strengthened communities for more than five decades. The yearlong celebration will include events such as the Kansas City/County Management Conference and the Inspiring Women in Public Administration Conference, culminating in a major fall event. Alumni, faculty, and students are invited to join in honoring the past and envisioning the future of public service education.
“The commitment of the faculty, staff, students, and distinguished alumni to the public service ethos and practice is a testament to the enduring legacy and impact of the School of Public Affairs and Administration,” said Maja Husar Holmes, director of SPAA. SPAA faculty are National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) and American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Fellows. Evidence-informed scholarship is supported by organizations like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Robert J. Woods Foundation (RJWF), further enhancing the school’s influence and legacy.
This year, KU SPAA also celebrates new milestones with the launch of its Online Master of Public Administration (MPA) in fall 2024. Designed to accommodate working professionals, the program combines flexibility with SPAA’s rigorous academic standards, making its education accessible to more students across diverse locations and commitments.
In addition to its top ranking in Local Government Management, SPAA has earned recognition in other areas:
· No.11 in Public Management and Leadership
· No.19 in Public Finance and Budgeting
· No. 27 in overall Best Public Affairs/Administration programs
As SPAA approaches the 75th anniversary of its Master of Public Administration program in 2025, KU SPAA remains committed to advancing the public good, fostering democratic values, and shaping the next generation of public service professionals.
For more information about the school’s programs and faculty, please visit spaa.ku.edu.
ABOUT THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ADMINISTRATION
The mission of the School of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Kansas is to educate exceptional leaders for public service who provide solutions to the most pressing community challenges at all levels of governance. With roots in local government management and urban policy, we advance the public good, democratic values, and ethical public management practices.
The School of Public Affairs and Administration offers undergraduate degrees, master of public administration, master of urban planning, and Ph.D. in public administration.
SPAA is also home to the Public Management Center (PMC) which offers professional education and consulting services for public service leaders in the Midwest.