The School of Public Affairs at American University has a storied legacy that informs our values and approach.
In 1934, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt began implementing New Deal programs that sought to increase “practical contacts between the collegiate and educational world, and the operations of government.” He believed that the collaboration of academia and public service would result in better decision-making, not only for Depression-era American, but also for future generations to come. From FDR’s vision, American University’s School of Public Affairs was born.
Over the last 80+ years, SPA has cultivated a culture of excellence. Our personalized teaching and experiential education transform the student experience. We empower those who seek knowledge to conduct and produce research. And we promote engagement to build a bridge between academic thought and policy planning - inspiring change in the world.
Today, with 1,800 current students and 23,000+ alumni, SPA continues to tackle complex issues with thoughtful research that educates, informs, and promotes change across a multitude of fields.
Four scholars weigh in on President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech, exploring his statements on immigration, childhood poverty, the border wall and the investigations into his campaign.
Kristina Marty, Binghamton University, State University of New York and Anna Amirkhanyan, American University School of Public Affairs
Showing up at school board meetings might not sound as exciting as marching in the streets. But it can be an effective way to change things at the local level.
Morten Wendelbo, American University School of Public Affairs
The $4 billion that foundations are pledging to spend within five years amounts to less than 1 percent of what businesses and governments spend on global warming every year.
Morten Wendelbo, American University School of Public Affairs
World Food Day, Oct. 16, provides an opportunity to gauge where the fight against hunger stands. It’s also a time, an expert says, to look at so-called hidden hunger.
Lara Schwartz, American University School of Public Affairs
Twenty years ago, Matthew Shepard was brutally murdered for being gay. A lawyer who helped implement hate crime legislation in Shepard’s name reflects on its strengths and limitations.
Morten Wendelbo, American University School of Public Affairs
Miles murieron después del paso del huracán María, pero no debió ser así. Las primeras evidencias debían haber llevado al Gobierno a una respuesta mucho más consistente.
Chris Edelson, American University School of Public Affairs
Congress is supposed to be a check on presidential power, but party politics has muted Republican criticism of Trump. Restoring balance means making a radical change.
Daniel Fiorino, American University School of Public Affairs
Trump’s energy plan may meet the letter of the law but the Affordable Clean Energy Plan reflects the administration’s clear agenda to move slowly or not at all on climate change.
Sen. John McCain, who died Saturday, ended his career with growing repudiation by his party and the public for positions, from national defense to bipartisanship, that he had long embodied.
Erran Carmel, American University Kogod School of Business and Chris Edelson, American University School of Public Affairs
Despite a growing list of reasons why business leaders might oppose the president or his policies, more than two-thirds have remained steadfastly neutral.
Nathan Favero, American University School of Public Affairs
New data show that less than half of all Pell Grant recipients graduate on time – a reality that one scholar attributes to the unique barriers faced by low-income students.
Capri Cafaro, American University School of Public Affairs
Senate confirmation for many of President Trump’s nominees has been tough. In this speed read, The Conversation asks: What is Senate confirmation, and why do we do it?
Cuba has a new president — and for the first time in six decades his last name is not Castro. Who is Miguel Díaz-Canel, the man who inherits a Cuba born of Fidel’s 1959 revolution?
As president, Donald Trump has taken a harsh stance toward Cuba. But his real estate company has tried twice to open Trump properties on the Communist island, allegedly even skirting the law to do so.
Aram Sinnreich, American University School of Communication and Barbara Romzek, American University School of Public Affairs
For years, watchdogs have warned of the potential problems of sharing data with online companies. The Facebook data crisis has made these concerns much more real. What should be done now?