The story of the NCPAA: The right time and place

Abstract

Within their academic discipline, public administration faculty and students find their professional homes in associations such as the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the Public Management Research Association. These organizations provide valuable opportunities for networking and collaboration at the national and international level. But what about state-level connections? In 2019, we sought to create similar opportunities within North Carolina. We wanted a way for our students to present their research and a means to improve faculty engagement across the state. We also wanted to promote public administration and MPA programs throughout the state. The result of our efforts was the establishment of the North Carolina Public Administration Alliance (NCPAA).