Chair's Message: Nancy Huyck, DPA
Thank you for your continued interest in the SIUE Master of Public Administration (MPA) program. We continue to experience challenging times as the University community and the world perseveres amid the COVID-19 pandemic. For nearly one year, we have adapted to withstand this public health crisis. The need for efficient and effective public administrators in all levels of government remains evident. Federal, state and local organizations are experiencing new and more complex demands in delivering vital public services. We as a community, state and nation exhibit hope and optimism for the vaccine distribution that is currently underway.
The Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis (PAPA) is flourishing despite the stressful and uncertain times we face. In the fall 2021 term, we will commence a fully online MPA. This online option will not replace our traditional degree. Incoming MPA students will be afforded the choice to complete the degree fully online or through a mixture of online and hybrid course offerings within the traditional MPA. Faculty within the department have been busy laying the groundwork for core and elective courses to accommodate both degree options. With the surging request for online courses and remote capability, our fully online MPA is in high demand.
The PAPA department continues to maintain the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) accreditation due to the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of our faculty and staff. In October 2020, our tenured faculty member Morris Taylor, PhD, was promoted to cice chancellor of administration at SIUE. In receiving this promotion, the department had to say goodbye to Dr. Taylor as teaching faculty. We thank Dr. Taylor for his years of dedication and contributions to PAPA. The department is currently working to fill his faculty position and we look forward to announcing a new faculty member prior to fall 2021.
I also wish to share with you that we have updated our department website. I encourage you to visit our program information by visiting www.siue.edu/papa. In navigating our site, you will be able to view a listing of teaching staff, course schedule and graduation information as well as learn more about our internship program and Pi Alpha Alpha honor society opportunities.
In this spring 2021 issue, you will see applicable information for students and interns, highlights of our recent graduates and announcements we wanted to share. I invite you to stay informed and connected with our department. Thank you for valuing public administration and the important contributions made by the field and us.
Nancy L. Huyck, DPA
Department Chair
