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Town and Gown

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) program has strong commitments to bettering its local community and facilitating its students and resources as assets for local businesses, government, and non-profits.

Part of how the MPA program achieves this goal is through our Town and Gown efforts, including but not limited to: community collaborative class projects, events held every semester for the community, and applied research projects for community partners. Please review the material on this page to learn more about our Town and Gown work. If you would like more information or would like to partner with our MPA on a project, please contact Dr. Wesley Meares.

Contact Us

MPA

 Summerville Campus

Allgood Hall

Suite N312

706-737-1710

mpa_program@augusta.edu

AUGMPA

AUG_MPA

Mailing Address:
1120 15th Street AH-N312 Augusta, GA 30912

Faculty Research

  • Hatcher, W. (2023). The Curious Public Administrator. Taylor & Francis. https://www.routledge.com/The-Curious-Public-Administrator/Hatcher/p/book/9781032668505

  • Abbott, M. E., McDonald III, B. D., & Hatcher, W. (Eds.). (2023). Social Equity in the Public Administration Classroom. Taylor & Francis. https://www.routledge.com/Social-Equity-in-the-Public-Administration-Classroom/Abbott-III-Hatcher/p/book/9781032463414

  • Norris, D., Mateczun, L., Hatcher, W., Meares, W. L., and Heslen, J., (2023). “Local Government Cyber Insecurity: Causes and Recommendations for Improvement” Public Administration Review. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13743

  • Samudra, R. P., & Heboyan, V. (2023). Examining the Connection between Health Outcomes, State Political Ideology, and Food Access in the United States. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 29(6), E284-E292. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHH.0000000000001786

  • Griffith, C., Tetzlaff-Bemiller, M. J., and Hunter, L. Y. (2023). Understanding the cyber-victimization of young people: A test of routine activities theory. Telematics and Informatics Reports. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teler.2023.100042

  • Deckman, M., Elder, L., Greene, S. and Lizotte, M.K. (2023). "Abortion, Religion, and Racism: Unpacking the Underpinnings of Contemporary Abortion Attitudes." Social Science Quarterly, 104(2): 140-152F. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13237

  • Stoll, Richard J., Mary-Kate Lizotte, and Richard C. Eichenberg. (2023). "The Impact of Personal Security Dispositions on Citizen Support for the Pursuit of Gender Equality in US Foreign Policy". Journal of Conflict Resolution, 67(5): 923-950. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00220027221124237

  • Carey Jr, T. E., & Lizotte, M. K. (2023). The Ties that Bind: Public Opinion and Linked Fate among Women of Color. Journal of Women, Politics & Policy, 44(1), 5-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/1554477X.2023.2155030

  • Hatcher, W., Rauhaus, B., & Meares, W. L. (2022). The career paths of the chief administrative officers of US cities: a survey of city managers and content analysis of how they discuss their careers. Local Government Studies. https://doi.org/10.1080/03003930.2022.2132386

  • Riggs, W., Sethi, M., Meares, W. L., & Batstone, D. (2022). Prefab micro-units as a strategy for affordable housing. Housing Studies, 37(5), 742-768. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2020.1830040

  • Gilderbloom, J. H., & Meares, W. L. (2022). How inter-city rents are shaped by health considerations of pollution and walkability: A study of 146 mid-sized cities. Journal of Urban Affairs, 44(8), 1059-1075. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352166.2020.1803751

  • McDonald III, B. D., & Hatcher, W. (Eds.). (2022). Work-life Balance in Higher Education. Taylor & Francis. https://www.routledge.com/Work-Life-Balance-in-Higher-Education/III-Hatcher/p/book/9781032324043

  • Farrell, C., Hatcher, W., & Diamond, J. (2022). Reflecting on over 100 years of public administration education. Public Administration, 100(1), 116-128. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12808

  • Greene, S., Deckman, M., Elder, L., & Lizotte, M. K. (2022). Do moms demand action on guns? Parenthood and gun policy attitudes. Journal of elections, public opinion and parties, 32(3), 655-673. https://doi.org/10.1080/17457289.2020.1862130

  • Eichenberg, R. C., Lizotte, M. K., & Stoll, R. J. (2022). Socialized to safety? The origins of gender difference in personal security dispositions. Political Psychology, 43(2), 221-235. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.12748

E-Governance Training and Security

Augusta University’s MPA program is dedicated to providing innovative training to nonprofits and public agencies in the state of Georgia.

As part of this effort, and through a generous grant from Augusta University Cyber Institute, the MPA program has developed an online training program focusing on e-government and security training. The program is provided through the Instructure Canvas learning management system.  The modules provide an overview of e-government, social media for public agencies, and cybersecurity. 

COMPLETE MODULES

Student Projects for the Community

The Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program at Augusta University is a 20-year old program that has retained Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration or NASPAA accreditation since 2007. In order to ensure we maintain this prestigious accreditation, we engage in program monitoring through self-study. This year's student projects have been conducted for the MPA program, to facilitate such self studies.

Spring 2023 North Augusta Country Club

This paper outlines a plan to take the parcel and create a recreation area for the residents of North Augusta to enjoy.

View Report

Spring 2023 Harry Jacobs Chamber Music Society

This program evaluation of HJCMS provides an overview of its current state, a discussion of similar musical organizations, and recommendations to help stimulate organizational growth.

View Report

Fall 2022 Augusta University Literacy Center

The goal of this project is to propose a modified interrupted-time series impact evaluation design combined with qualitative data to help assess the impact of the Augusta University Literacy Center’s newly created literacy program.

View Report

Spring 2022 Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport

This report investigates the asset and assesses methods to capture growth in the area to spur economic development.

View Report

Spring 2022 Alignment of Target Population Needs with the Jags Live Well Program

A program evaluation of Augusta University’s student wellness program during the Spring Semester of 2022.

View Report

Spring 2020 COOP Template for South Carolina Emergency Management

At the request of the South Carolina Emergency Management Department, students in the Augusta University Master of Public Administration program completed a template to help counties develop continuity of operations plans (COOPs). Such planning helps local governments maintain basic services during times of crisis.

PADM6750 COOP Template for South Carolina Counties

Spring 2019 COOP Aiken County Emergency Management

Executive Summary Excerpt: "While Aiken County does have an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and remains prepared for and aware of any emergency events, there is a continuous threat of possible operations’ failure due to one of these emergencies. Therefore, it is imperative that the county have a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) in addition to the EOP. At the request of the director of the Aiken County Emergency Management Department, the Program Evaluation class in Augusta University’s Master of Public Administration program has created the following non-technical COOP for Aiken County’s Information Technology (IT) department. This COOP will ensure the IT department’s ability to perform its essential functions if a human-made or natural disaster strikes the county. This COOP will help the IT department not only continue to operate its essential functions during the event but also recover and restore its normal operations following the disaster."

PADM 6750 COOP Aiken County Emergency Management - Information Technology Department

Fall 2017 INQR 1000 Stakeholder Analysis

This report provides the results of a comprehensive program evaluation for Augusta University’s Inquiry 1000 Program. Data used for this assessment came from scholarly research, stakeholder interviews, a survey of students currently enrolled in INQR 1000, and a focus group conducted with current INQR 1000 faculty instructors.

PADM 6750 INQR 1000 PROGRAM EVALUATION REPORT

Spring 2017 Job Market Analysis and Alumni Survey

Executive Summary Excerpt: "This report provides the results of an analysis for employment trends in the Augusta Metro Area in public administration careers as well as recommendations for improving the Augusta University Master of Public Administration's marketing and branding strategies.  Data used for this project came mainly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Georgia Department of Labor, and a survey targeting Augusta University MPA Alumni."

PADM 6750 Job Market Analysis and Alumni Survey

Fall 2016 Employer Report

Executive Summary Excerpt: "The 2016 employer survey was administered via web survey to over 600 employers in the Augusta metro area...". The survey "...sought to asses the employers' familiarity with the MPA degree and MPA graduates' their understand of the most important..." knowledge, skills, and ability's (KSAs) "...for MPA graduates and public managers; and finally, their opinion of and interest in the MPA program here at Augusta University."

View PADM 6750 Employer Survey Report

In the News

photo from article MPA program’s national ranking shows excellence in public service education

Jagwire

MPA program’s national ranking shows excellence in public service education

“It demonstrates the hard work of our faculty, publishing and presenting research and providing stellar service to the field and the community," says Wesley Mears, PhD.

Read Full Story
photo from article AU students reflect on memorable day with state lawmakers

Jagwire

AU students reflect on memorable day with state lawmakers

“AU Capitol Day serves as a testament to the strong partnership between Augusta University and our state legislators,” says AU President Russell T. Keen.

Read Full Story
photo from article Pamplin professors publish research on impact of Name, Image and Likeness

Jagwire

Pamplin professors publish research on impact of Name, Image and Likeness

"The question we raised was, ‘How is this going to impact the university and athletic department funding?'" says Wesley Meares, PhD.

Read Full Story
photo from article AU ranks among top in the nation for best colleges

Jagwire

AU ranks among top in the nation for best colleges

Augusta University was recently ranked among the top institutions in the nation in a number of categories, including jumping 36 spots on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best Colleges list. The jump moves AU into the top 20% in the nation, one of the most improved rankings in the country. AU was also […]

Read Full Story
photo from article Augusta University Online adds MPA, MAISS beginning fall 2024

Jagwire

Augusta University Online adds MPA, MAISS beginning fall 2024

“We have always been intentional with what programs we add to our portfolio, and MAISS and the MPA program were the next two logical choices for us,” said Marc Austin, PhD.

Read Full Story
photo from article AU political expert sheds light on Donald Trump as he is the first former president to face federal charges.

Insider

AU political expert sheds light on Donald Trump as he is the first former president to face federal charges.

Augusta University professor Mary-Kate Lizotte weighed in on what might be ahead for Trump and the nation. Read the story on the Augusta Chronicle.

Read Full Story

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