Dean's Message: Welcome to the New Semester, Fall 2025

Dear SPAA Students, Faculty, and Staff,

Welcome to Fall 2025! Whether you're new to SPAA or returning to continue your journey, I’m excited to begin this semester with you.

This is a season of renewal, creativity, and innovation at SPAA. We’ve introduced several new initiatives designed to enrich your experience and expand your opportunities:

• On the second floor of the SPAA building, you’ll find a new Wall of Poems — a space celebrating the voices and reflections of our students, past and present.
• For those interested in solving community problems across sectors, explore our Next Generation Service Corps — a Public Service Leadership Academy — and our new Minor and Certificate in Public Leadership.
• If you're passionate about public policy, we now offer a Minor in Public Policy to help you understand, formulate, and evaluate policy solutions.
• For those curious about emerging technologies, we’ve launched new courses in AI applications and data science — tools that are reshaping public service.
• We’ve also introduced a dual degree program with the School of Criminal Justice, expanding interdisciplinary pathways for students committed to justice and public affairs.

This semester, we’re launching a Speaker Series on timely and thought-provoking topics — stay tuned for announcements and join the conversation.

We’re also working behind the scenes on other innovative initiatives: new minors, certificates, dual degrees, and courses. Your input is essential — SPAA is a student-focused school, and we want to hear from you.

As part of our commitment to transparency and connection, we’re transitioning to a new website, and soon you’ll see video introductions from many of our faculty and program directors online.

And yes — Coffee with the Dean is back! Now with tea and cookies, too. Join me on the third Wednesday of each month to share your ideas, ask questions, or just enjoy a friendly chat.

SPAA is a community built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared commitment to the public good. Our team is here to support you — always.

Let’s make this semester one of discovery, connection, and impact. I can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together.

Warmly,
Kaifeng Yang
Dean, School of Public Affairs and Administration