http://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/ University of Utah Blog en-us Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:40:27 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss OmniUpdate (OU Publish) https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/c-simon-policepromotion.php Research summarized on Police Research Hub highlights that facial traits strongly influence who gets promoted in policing, raising concerns about the meritocracy of promotion systems. A two‑phase experiment using archival police academy photos found that respondents consistently judged perceived leadership ability based on facial characteristics, and those perceptions accurately predicted real‑world promotional outcomes at rates well above chance (AUC ≈ .70). The study shows that attributes such as perceived trustworthiness and dominance shape who is seen as leadership material, despite having no relationship to actual job performance, suggesting that extra‑legal, appearance‑based biases may meaningfully shape career advancement in law enforcement agencies. The study was co-authored by University of Utah Public Affairs and Political Science alumni Professors Ian Adams and Scott Mourtgos (University of South Carolina); SPA Professor Chris Simon, and Regents Professor Emeritus Nicholas Lovrich, Washington State University. simon@mpa.utah.edu (Chris Simon) Fri, 27 Mar 2026 21:59:53 +0000 ASPA|Division News|Division of Public Affairs|Ethics in Public Service|Faculty Research|MPA|Public Administration|Leadership in Actin Professor Chris Simon Examines Bias, Fairness, and Police Promotion Systems Headshop of Chris Headshop of Chris https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/c-simon-policepromotion.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/mpa-win-at-2026-utahcity-county-managementassociation.php Congratulations to Tanner Anderson, Anna Ontiveros, Rachel Paulsen, and Samy Estrada (all cc'd) for taking first place at the 2026 Utah City/County Management Association MPA Case Competition. danielle.willardsen@fcs.utah.edu (Danielle Willardsen) Tue, 24 Mar 2026 08:03:40 +0000 Awards|Division News|Ethics in Public Service|MPA|Public Administration|Professional Development|Recognition|Student Success MPA Student Take First at the 2026 Utah City/County Management Association MPA Case Competition SPA/MPA students Tanner Anderson, Anna Ontiveros, Rachel Paulsen, and Samy Estrada win first place SPA/MPA students Tanner Anderson, Anna Ontiveros, Rachel Paulsen, and Samy Estrada win first place https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/mpa-win-at-2026-utahcity-county-managementassociation.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/elevating-ethics.php The University of Utah MPA program is excited to co-sponsor an upcoming scholarly conference with the Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics at Brigham Young University (BYU) and the BYU MPA program. This inaugural event will explore critical ethical issues in public and nonprofit organizations—a timely topic as both sectors undergo significant changes. melissa.warner@utah.edu (Melissa Warner) Fri, 29 Aug 2025 23:14:26 +0000 Public Administration|Nonprofit Management|Ethics in Public Service|University Events|Professional Development University of Utah MPA Co-Sponsors Inaugural Ethics Conference at BYU Stack of books Stack of books https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/elevating-ethics.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/welcome-new-faculty.php The School of Public Affairs is excited to officially welcome two distinguished faculty members, Dr. Tabitha Benney and Dr. Hakan Yavuz, who joined our division in January and will begin teaching their first courses with us this fall. melissa.warner@utah.edu (Melissa Warner) Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:25:03 +0000 Welcome to Our New Faculty Members: Dr. Tabitha Benney & Dr. Hakan Yavuz Tabitha Benney and Hakan Yavuz Tabitha Benney and Hakan Yavuz https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/welcome-new-faculty.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/park-ju-won-0225.php Dr. Ju Won Park, Assistant Professor in the Division of Public Affairs (DPA), has been recognized with two Best Dissertation Awards at the 2025 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Conference in Washington, D.C. Fri, 11 Apr 2025 22:03:03 +0000 Faculty Research|Faculty Awards|ASPA DPA Faculty Ju Won Park Receives Dual Best Dissertation Honors DPA Faculty Ju Won Park Receives Best Dissertation Award DPA Faculty Ju Won Park Receives Best Dissertation Award https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/park-ju-won-0225.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/mpa-case-competition-2025.php Last week, Mina Ghobadi, Merinda Gurney Cutler, and Marisa Brunsvik proudly represented the Department of Public Administration (DPA) at the Annual BYU/SUU/UofU MPA Case Competition, held at BYU’s main campus and sponsored by the Utah City/County Management Association (UCMA). Under the guidance of faculty coordinator Tim Tingey, the team delivered an outstanding performance, impressing the judges with their innovative and evidence-based proposal. melissa.warner@utah.edu (Melissa Warner) Thu, 27 Mar 2025 21:18:51 +0000 Division of Public Affairs|Public Administration|Leadership In Action|Student Success DPA Students Shine at Annual MPA Case Competition DPA Students Shine at Annual MPA Case Competition DPA Students Shine at Annual MPA Case Competition https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/mpa-case-competition-2025.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/simon-park-2025-seed-grant.php Congratulations to Chris Simon and Ju Won Park for receiving a 2025 CSBS-VPR Funding Incentive Seed Grant! Their proposal was selected from a competitive pool of approximately 20 submissions, with only four projects receiving funding this year. dpa@utah.edu (Melissa Warner) Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:42:02 +0000 Chris Simon and Ju Won Park Awarded 2025 CSBS-VPR Funding Incentive Seed Grant Soldiers in uniform holding an American Flag Soldiers in uniform holding an American Flag https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/simon-park-2025-seed-grant.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/simon-research-1.php Professor Christopher Simon's research on immigrant willingness to serve in the military has been featured in @theU melissa.warner@utah.edu (Melissa Warner) Tue, 22 Oct 2024 01:12:08 +0000 Faculty Research Congratulations to Professor Chris Simon for Groundbreaking Research on Immigrant Military Recruitment Military with flags Military with flags https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/simon-research-1.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/simon-research.php New study by Division of Public Affairs Faculty, Professor Chris Simon Highlights Immigrant Willingness to Serve in U.S. and Canadian Militaries melissa.warner@utah.edu (Melissa Warner) Tue, 10 Sep 2024 01:12:08 +0000 Faculty Research New Study Highlights Immigrant Willingness to Serve in U.S. and Canadian Militaries New Study Highlights Immigrant Willingness to Serve in U.S. and Canadian Militaries New Study Highlights Immigrant Willingness to Serve in U.S. and Canadian Militaries https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/simon-research.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/jinsong-xi.php On July 12, Mr. Xi Jinsong, a graduate of the UofU’s Executive MPA Program in 2011, visited over a celebratory dinner in Salt Lake City with former Professors Rick Green and Steve Ott and colleagues from his days here at the UofU. He stopped in Salt Lake City on his return to Haikou, Hainan from meetings in Washington, DC. Xi Jinsong reminisced with the others about his many wonderful experiences during his 18 months here and the impact the MPA experience has had on his career. Steve Ott Sat, 10 Aug 2024 00:25:40 +0000 XMPA Executive MPA Graduate from Hainan, China Visits Salt Lake City Xi Jinsong, Steve Ott, Rick Green, Mr. Li Xi Jinsong, Steve Ott, Rick Green, Mr. Li https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/jinsong-xi.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/greenidge-jatara-stellar-50.php Congratulations to MPA Program Director JaTara Greenidge on being named to the NASPA Black Diaspora Knowledge Community Stellar 50 melissa.warner@utah.edu (Melissa Warner) Sat, 10 Aug 2024 00:07:41 +0000 MPA|Awards|Recognition JaTara Greenidge Named to Prestigious Black Diaspora Knowledge Community Stellar 50 MPA Program Director JaTara Greenidge MPA Program Director JaTara Greenidge https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/greenidge-jatara-stellar-50.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/2024-2025-page-board.php Meet the new board for the Division of Public Affairs' PAGE Student Association Alex Yoder Fri, 09 Aug 2024 15:57:20 +0000 Division News|PAGE Student Association 2024-2025 PAGE Board Introduction PAGE Student Association PAGE Student Association https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/2024-2025-page-board.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/alumni_2024aspa_awards.php Three University of Utah MPA alumni received 2024 "Outstanding Public Official Awards” from the Utah Chapter of ASPA. Senator Luz Escamilla was awarded in the Elected Official category. Laura Briefer was awarded in the Appointed Official category. Shirlee Draper and Cherish Families were awarded in the Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Utah category. dpa@utah.edu (Steve Ott) Mon, 01 Jul 2024 22:15:31 +0000 Alumni|ASPA MPA Alumni Receive Outstanding Public Official Awards Laura Breifer holding a clear ASPA award Laura Breifer holding a clear ASPA award https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/alumni_2024aspa_awards.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/judge_nelson.php Division adjunct faculty member Stephen Nelson, Ph.D. J.D., was appointed to the Third District Court judgeship in November 2023 by Governor Cox. Judge Nelson has taught for the University of Utah's Master of Public Administration (MPA) program since 2010, predominantly covering Administrative Theory or Public Administration and Law. We're proud to have Judge Nelson as a valued Division faculty member. dpa@utah.edu (Bon Lee) Mon, 01 Jul 2024 08:55:46 +0000 Division News|Faculty|MPA Steve Nelson appointed to Third District Court Steve Nelson appointed to Third District Court Steve Nelson appointed to Third District Court https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/judge_nelson.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/new_faculty.php Joins us in welcoming our new Division of Public Affairs faculty members! Dr. Jonathan Fisk joins us as an associate professor from the Master of Public Administration program at Auburn University. Dr. Ju Won Park joins us as a recent graduate of the University of Georgia. dpa@utah.edu (David Carter) Wed, 26 Jun 2024 22:13:41 +0000 Division News|Faculty|MPA|MPP|MIAGE Welcome New Division Faculty Welcome New Division Faculty Welcome New Division Faculty https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/new_faculty.php https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/division_welcome.php As of July 1, 2024, the University of Utah's Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), and M.S. in International Affairs and Global Enterprise (MIAGE) became programs of a new, independent academic unit within the CSBS: the Division of Public Affairs. Division faculty include those who have transferred tenure and career-line appointments from the Department of Political Science, two new incoming faculty members, and a cadre of adjuncts that have taught for one of the programs in the past. Division staff include the talented team that ran the Programs of Public Affairs, with new additions. dpa@utah.edu (David Carter) Wed, 26 Jun 2024 21:07:45 +0000 Division News|MPA|MPP|MIAGE Welcome to the NEW Division of Public Affairs Welcome to the NEW Division of Public Affairs Welcome to the NEW Division of Public Affairs https://publicaffairs.utah.edu/news/posts/division_welcome.php