Public Affairs
Do you want a career that makes a difference, not just one that pays the bills? Are you interested in a leadership career with a nonprofit organization or government agency? A degree in public affairs provides graduates with the foundation for leadership roles in a variety of fields within the nonprofit, public, and private sectors.
Undergraduate students can choose from majors in civic leadership, management, or policy studies and a variety of minors and certificates.
Graduate students can pursue a graduate certificate - offered online and residentially - or the nationally ranked Master of Public Affairs.
Public Affairs Faculty
- Wolfgang Bielefeld, Professor
- Mike Gleeson, Associate Professor
- Craig Hartzer, Clinical Professor and Director, Executive Education Program
- Alfred Ho, Associate Professor
- Sheila Suess Kennedy, Associate Professor
- Tim Koponen, Trustee Lecturer
- John Krauss, Clinical Professor and Director, Center for Urban Policy and the Environment
- Paul Lang, Lecturer and Director of Health programs
- Leslie Lenkowsky, Professor
- Greg Lindsey, Associate Dean and Duey-Murphy Professor of Rural Land Policy
- Laura Littlepage, Clinical Lecturer
- Deanna Malatesta, Assistant Professor
- Vicki Mech-Hester, Lecturer
- Debra Mesch, Associate Professor and Director of Public Affairs programs
- Sam Nunn, Professor
- John Ottensmann, Professor
- Adrian Sargeant, Professor
Public Affairs Research at IUPUI
Through the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, SPEA faculty, staff, and students are engaged in a variety of research projects pertaining to civic engagement, improving the quality of life in Central Indiana, gaming, intergovernmental relations, nonprofit organizations, and public policy. For more information about this research, visit the Center for Urban Policy and the Environment.
Careers that Make a Difference
SPEA's public affairs graduates can be found working for a variety of public, nonprofit, and private organizations. Some examples of employers include, but are not limited to:
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Barnes and Thornburg LLP
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana
- City of Indianapolis
- Corporation for National and Community Service
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Indiana Convention and Visitors Association
- National Collegiate Athletic Association
- Simon Property Group
- State of Indiana
- United Way of Central Indiana