The New Division of Public Affairs

On July 1, 2024, the new Division of Public Affairs became the first-ever independent unit at the University of Utah devoted to matters of public policy, public administration, and international and public affairs, more broadly. The Division brings the College of Social and Behavioral Science's three professionally-oriented public affairs graduate programs - the Master of Public Policy, Master of Public Administration, and M.S. in International Affairs and Global Enterprise - under a combined academic and administrative home. The Division will benefit from the talented and proven stewardship of the former Programs of Public Affairs team, including Program Managers Ella Blanchard and JaTara Greenidge, and Accounting and Finance Director Victoria Medina. The Division's faculty body include Drs. Jesus Valero, Christopher Simon, Tim Tingey, Sandi Rideout, and David Carter, by way of appointment transfers,  as well as two new incoming faculty members: Dr. Jonathan Fisk, an associate professor joining us from Auburn University, and Dr. Ju Won Park, recent graduate of the University of Georgia. And the Division will be stronger for the essential contributions of long-standing practitioner adjuncts who regularly teach for one (or more) of our programs.

The independent Division of Public Affairs empowers our community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni to forge a shared identity and purpose that reflects the public service ethos woven throughout our scholarship, teaching, and professional practice. It is for this reason that the Division's inaugural tagline is for the common good. While there are many more announcements, developments, challenges, and changes on the near horizon, for now we hope that you'll join us in celebrating the launch of the University of Utah's new Division of Public Affairs for the common good.