CELEBRATING SPAA AT 75 YEARS

Celebrating SPAA at 75 Years

Join us as we celebrate a significant anniversary for the KU School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA). In the coming year, SPAA is honored to recognize alumni, faculty, and staff who have contributed to the foundations and the future of public service in Kansas and beyond.

Class of 1948

City Management as a Profession

First MPA City Management cohort graduates from KU in 1950 under the leadership of inaugural Program Director Edwin O. Stene launching KU's reputation as #1 program in local government management.

Learn More About the City/County Management MPA Fellowship Program!

KU PMC

Public Service Lies at the Heart of Democracy

For 50 years the Public Management Center trains practitioners and partners with communities to cultivate excellence in public service.

Learn More About the PMC

SPAA Community Day 2023

The School is Launched

The Department of Public Administration is elevated to the School of Public Affairs and Administration in July 2011.

Learn More About SPAA

Grads 2024

Expanded Public Service Education

Doctoral program in public administration and undergraduate degrees broaden the connection to public service education.

Learn More About SPAA Degrees Here!

KU MUP

Centering Urban Planning with Public Service

For over 50 years the Master of Urban Planning program aims to improve the quality of life of communities.

Learn More About the MUP Here!

Faculty at 2024 Graduation

SPAA Faculty with Distinction

Faculty are leaders in the field of public service, recognized as Edwin O Stene Distinguished Professor, Robert A. Kipp Professor of Practice, NAPA and AICP Fellows and other disciplinary recognitions.

Learn More About Faculty Leaders Here!

KU Centers

Scholarship for the Public Good

Research addresses pressing community challenges at all levels of governance and in partnership with the Institute for Policy and Social Research (IPSR) and SPAA faculty-led research centers.

Learn More About these SPAA IPSR Centers Here!

IWPA 2024

Convening for Public Service

Connects and advances thought leadership in public service by hosting national and annual conferences, including Social Equity Leadership Conference (SELC), Inspiring Women in Public Administration (IWPA), and Kansas City/County Management (KCCM).

Learn More About Our Conferences Here!

2025 Events to Celebrate 75 Years!

Stay tuned for an announcement of events to take place throughout 2025! 

Details are forthcoming on the following:

  • Hannesfest: Recognizing Hannes Zacharias as the Robert A. Kipp Professor. This celebration will take place on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at the Kansas Memorial Union. Register here!

  • Kansas City/County Management (KCCM) Conference: April 24 & 25, 2025 at the Oread Hotel in Lawrence, KS.

  • Inspiring Women in Public Service (IWPS) Conference: August 22, 2025 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

  • ICMA KUCIMAT Reception: Tampa, Florida - date pending.

  • Fall 2025 Culminating Event

We are proud to acknowledge several milestones in SPAA's journey.