News Posts

Join the School of Public Affairs on October 27, 2026, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at the Hinckley Institute of Politics as we celebrate the MPA Program’s 50th anniversary. Visiting Professor Dr. Jennifer Alexander will lead a timely discussion on the challenges facing nonprofit organizations, the role of civil society, and the future of democratic governance. A community panel featuring leaders from Utah Global Diplomacy, Alliance Community Services, and Unsheltered Utah will follow, exploring strategies for strengthening nonprofits and building resilient communities. Whether your interests are in public administration, public policy, nonprofit leadership, or advocacy, this event offers an opportunity to connect research with real-world impact. Please register using the link below—we look forward to celebrating with you!

The University of Utah School of Public Affairs congratulates Phil Dean, SPA adjunct faculty member and Chief Economist and Public Finance Senior Research Fellow at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, on his election as a 2026 Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA). This prestigious recognition honors individuals who have made significant contributions to public administration and public policy. Dean brings extensive expertise in economics, public finance, and state and local policy to the classroom, helping prepare the next generation of public-sector leaders. SPA is proud to celebrate this well-deserved national recognition.

The University of Utah’s School of Public Affairs is introducing a new Nonprofit & Nongovernmental Organization (NGO) Concentration for graduate students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), and Master of International Affairs and Global Enterprise (MIAGE) programs.

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.

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.