In 2024, Lauren Curry MPA ’99 made historical past as the primary feminine chief of employees within the Georgia governor’s workplace. Simply twenty years earlier than, nonetheless, she was a current school graduate in search of a grasp’s program.
Lauren Curry made historical past in 2024 as the primary feminine chief of employees for the state of Georgia. She works for the workplace of the governor in Atlanta. (Picture by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Whereas planning that subsequent step in 1997, Curry seen UGA’s College of Public and Worldwide Affairs (SPIA). Its public affairs program was ranked No. 6 within the nation on the time.
“That basically drew me in,” Curry says. “The status undoubtedly got here by way of with the standard of expertise that I had, with professors, internships, and programs. I wouldn’t have wished to go wherever else, and the truth that I ended up at this degree and have this chance to try to accomplish that a lot good, I owe to SPIA.”
#4 Greatest Public Affairs College U.S. Information & World Report 2024
A Sterling Popularity
SPIA has persistently housed a prime 10 public affairs program for greater than 20 years. U.S. Information and World Report not too long ago ranked this system fourth within the nation in 2025.
The Division of Public Administration and Coverage is the house of the Grasp of Public Administration (MPA) program. Inside MPA fields of research, its public administration and management specialization ranks second, public finance and budgeting specialization ranks third, and native authorities administration specialization ranks fifth.
“We wish to guarantee that we preserve or improve our status for excellence within the rankings and elsewhere,” says SPIA Dean Matthew Auer. “We now have a correlation between the standard of our applications, the scholarly and analysis abilities of our college, and the outcomes for our college students.”
Aashna Monga MPA ’24 noticed that excellence and selected UGA when in search of a graduate program to go well with her. Now a growth affect marketing consultant on the World Financial institution, Monga knew UGA was for her when college members went out of their method to attain out to her.
Aashna Monga selected to attend UGA due to SPIA. She now works on the World Financial institution. (Picture by Particular)
“What motivated me to affix SPIA was simply how invested the school was in your progress,” Monga says. “I keep in mind even earlier than coming to the U.S., I had calls with individuals from this system. That gave me confidence that these persons are actually there that will help you out and determine all the pieces alongside the best way.”
School funding is a degree of delight for SPIA.
“Some say a school member’s job is instructing, analysis, and repair,” Auer says. “At SPIA, we expect mentoring is the fourth leg ofthe stool. The result’s that college students develop data and abilities, however they’re additionally job-ready and life-ready.”
Past personalised mentorship and welcoming analysis participation, Curry recollects her professors readying her for something a profession in public administration might throw at her.
“In something you’re going to do in public administration, you’re going to need to know handle a price range. You’re going to have to know coverage implementation, top-down versus bottom-up. Administration is a really large umbrella,” she says. “And SPIA is simply so sensible. You’re going to see issues you apply in your future in an instructional setting. I pulled a lot of that have as soon as I bought into the working world.”
I wouldn’t have wished to go wherever else, and the truth that I ended up at this degree and have this chance to try to accomplish that a lot good, I owe to SPIA.” — Lauren Curry, Chief of Workers within the Workplace of Gov. Brian Kemp
Curriculum Primarily based for the Actual World
SPIA’s public affairs program trains aspiring public servants, whether or not they find yourself at a nonprofit or a department of native authorities. College students be taught the theories of public technique, ethics, management, and downside fixing, after which join that by way of hands-on discipline work to make the group a greater place.
“Whether or not it’s a position in politics, metropolis planning, or nonprofit work, it’s tremendous essential for us to stroll that stroll and ensure our graduates are literally public servants and that they’re serving the pursuits of the state,” Auer says. “I want to have the ability to make that impression on unusual, conventional taxpayers who might haven’t any connection to the College of Georgia. They should perceive the worth that our college students convey to what they do in a really tangible approach.”
Dean Matthew Auer additionally teaches a course in SPIA and encourages different college to show and discover analysis. (Picture by Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Monga cherishes the range in her coursework and experiential studying most of all. Whereas working towards her diploma, she explored all the pieces from worldwide coverage and budgets to program administration. Now, due to the MPA program, Monga can deal with something on the World Financial institution from a coverage inspection to information and financial evaluation.
“Every little thing was related to my journey as a public administrator going ahead,” Monga says. “I might tailor my diploma in accordance with my very own wants. My UGA journey gave me a way of what I wished to discover and strengthen in my work.”
At a state degree, Curry is liable for speaking to the general public, managing coverage agendas, and coordinating with groups throughout all ranges of presidency. Dealing with the anticipated and surprising is what’s required of her, and it’s a ability not simply taught.
“The world is a really imperfect place. However SPIA college at all times tried to indicate us that there are departments and folks attempting to enhance issues,” she says. “Individuals have now stated to me, ‘Oh, we see how laborious you’re employed and the way passionate you might be about what you do.’ And I attempt to inform them that there are numerous people on the market, like me, who’re very keen about what they’re doing.”
Even when the going will get robust, Curry emphasizes the significance of public servants. Most individuals depend on them day by day even when those self same individuals not often discover.
“We have to recruit good people on this space as a result of it’s simply such constructive work. If you happen to’re a part of the answer, you’re leaving a legacy and attempting to make issues higher,” she says.
