MPA 50th Anniversary Programs
Welcome to SPAA's 50th Anniversary Year of our Master of Public Administration Program!
For five decades, Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) has been preparing students to lead with excellence: this year marks fifty years of dedication and innovation since our first MPA students enrolled at Rutgers-Newark. Starting in 1975 as a graduate department providing public administration education at RU-N, Rutgers SPAA was established as a school in 2006 and has grown into one of the premier institutions for public affairs and administration education globally, offering a variety of innovative degree and certificate programs. We are now consistently ranked as a top school by U.S. News & World Report and recognized as one of the world’s leading research institutions in public administration by ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.
Thank you all – alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends – for being a part of the SPAA family and our journey. We wish to extend a special thanks to the MPA 50th Anniversary Committee for putting together our celebratory program.
As we celebrate 50 years of excellence in public service, we know we're going to make the next fifty years great as well!
MARCH 27, 2025 |
SPAA MPA 50th Anniversary Kick-Off Event
6-9pm – McGovern's Tavern, Newark, NJ
Alumni, faculty, and friends helped start the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the School of Public Affairs and Administration's Master of Public Administration program and kicked off our milestone anniversary year.
SEE: Anniversary Year Kick-Off Event >
MARCH 30, 2025 |
SPAA Reception at ASPA 2025
6:45pm – The Mayflower Hotel, Washington, D.C. (Maryland Room)
SPAA colleagues and alumni toasted the 50th Anniversary of our Master of Public Administration program at the American Society for Public Administration's 2025 Conference.
SEE: Rutgers SPAA at ASPA 2025 >
MAY 2, 2025 |
"Financial Management that Fuels Artistic Missions" – Talk by Dr. Cleopatra Charles & Alumni Reception
5:30-7:30pm – 111 Washington Street, Newark, NJ
Dr. Cleopatra Charles, associate professor at Rutgers SPAA, will be discussing her new co-authored book, Financial Leadership for the Arts. A reception follows for SPAA alumni and friends where we'll celebrate the 50th anniversary of our MPA program.
MORE INFO & RSVP >
*MARK YOUR CALENDARS*
NOVEMBER 2025 |
SPAA at NJLM
Join us at the New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference to celebrate 50 years of public service excellence.
*SAVE THE DATE*
DECEMBER 5, 2025 |
SPAA MPA 50th Anniversary Gala
This milestone anniversary gala promises an evening of reflection, connection, and inspiration. Please join us as we commemorate 50 years of public service excellence through the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Rutgers University–Newark.