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Using Politics for the Greater Good

Joshua Ellis, SPA/MA '16

MA Political Communication

First as an undergraduate studying political science, then as a graduate student in SPA, Joshua Ellis (SPA/MA ’16) says AU prepared him to do his part to influence the electoral process.

Ellis works for the Democratic Governors Association, an independent political committee that supports Democratic governors and candidates across the county. He is a digital manager, providing in-house design and web development for the Washington-based DGA with about 40 employees that supports governors in 16 states and 2 U.S. territories.
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Announcement · April 3

Stacey Abrams to Kickoff American University’s Commencement 2019 Ceremonies

The 137th Commencement at AU will graduate more than 2,500 students and welcome thousands of guests to Bender Arena on campus.
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Announcement · March 12

School of Public Affairs at AU Jumps in National Ranking in U.S. News & World Report Survey

Four specialties receive first-time recognition; three specialties jump in ranking
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Videos

SPA Assistant Professor Claudia Persico is currently studying the social and biological mechanisms underlying the relationships between poverty, the environment, and children’s cognitive development and health. The time between conception and birth is perhaps one of the most vulnerable life stages, during which the environment may have tremendous immediate and lasting effects on health. The fetus undergoes rapid growth and organ development and the maternal environment helps direct these processes, for better or for worse.

number 14 among 285 public affairs schools

by U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Public Affairs Graduate School Rankings

number 3 for Public Management and Leadership, up from #6

by U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Public Affairs Graduate Schools Rankings

number 5 for International Global Policy & Administration

by U.S. News & World Report's 2020 Public Affairs Graduate School Rankings

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Research · March 27

SPA Justice Study Has Global Reach with Research Interest in Australia

What started as a US-focused student-faculty research project has resulted in an interest in examining the project's data in the context of the judicial system in Australia.
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Law · March 18

New Report Highlights Urgent Funding Needed for Public Defense

SPA's Justice Programs Office Right to Counsel (R2C) National Campaign released a report that shows the American constitutional right to counsel is threatened.
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On Campus · March 25

Do-it-Yourself Urbanism: What It Means for Cities, Planners, and Citizens

The impact “do-it-yourself urbanism” has on planning and policy was the focus of a lecture by Gordon Douglas, assistant professor for Urban and Regional Planning at San Jose State University, hosted by SPA's Metropolitan Policy Center recently.
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