Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Public Administration at Northern Illinois University—a nationally recognized program with a clear mission: preparing and advancing the public service workforce.

For nearly 70 years, NIU Public Administration has helped prepare generations of public-service professionals and leaders. Today, that legacy is matched by strong momentum. We now serve approximately 120 students across our undergraduate, graduate certificate and MPA programs, with significant recent enrollment growth and a new faculty search underway to support that expansion. Our MPA continues to earn strong national recognition, including a #6 ranking in Local Government Management and a top 20 ranking in Public Finance and Budgeting.

What makes NIU distinctive is the strength of the pathways we have built for students at different stages of their careers. Our traditional MPA includes a one-of-a-kind internship experience that extends throughout the program, allowing students to integrate professional practice with graduate study from the beginning. For working professionals, our Public Service Leadership undergraduate program, graduate certificates, and fully online MPA create a flexible pipeline for continued advancement without stepping away from public service.

Together, these programs make the department more than a place to earn a degree. We are a public service workforce development engine—connecting education, professional practice, local governments, nonprofit organizations, alumni, and community partners to strengthen the institutions and people who serve our communities.

There are also many ways to be part of that work. Our partners and alumni can host an MPA intern, serve as a client for a student capstone project, support student scholarships and research excellence through philanthropy, or contribute their expertise and leadership through our Board of Advisors. These connections strengthen our students' education while extending the department's impact throughout the public service community.

Whether you are beginning a public service career, preparing for your next leadership role, or looking for a meaningful way to invest in the next generation of public servants, we invite you to become part of the NIU Public Administration community.

Thomas Skuzinski, J.D., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Public Administration