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.
MPA
Summerville Campus
Suite N312
Mailing Address:
1120 15th Street AH-N312 Augusta, GA 30912
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.
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.
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.
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.
Spring 2022 Thomson-McDuffie Regional Airport
This report investigates the asset and assesses methods to capture growth in the area to spur economic development.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
Jagwire
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 […]
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Jagwire
“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.
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Insider
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.
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Insider
Dr. Meares interviewed by the Augusta Chronicle on cybersecurity attacks in local government and implementing the next steps to the cybersecurity policies. https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/news/education/campus/2023/11/03/augusta-university-professors-look-at-improvements-in-cybersecurity/71425783007/
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Jagwire
“I think it does help the students get that perspective from some different experts. We don’t always bring in academics, sometimes we bring in service people, but to get those perspectives is important and can have a lasting impact," said Wesley Meares, PhD, MPA director.
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Jagwire
“Local government is increasingly being more digitally connected, with vital infrastructure, data and services connected which creates more opportunities for cyber-attacks. Additionally, local governments tend to lag in updating critical technology due to limited resources (both human and financial resources),” said Wesley Meares, PhD.
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