About Us
The UCF School of Public Administration is committed to providing quality education to current and future public service professionals so they, in turn, can change our local and global communities for the better. We strive to be a premier resource and model for advancing excellence in professional education, public service and leadership.
Our school is housed within the College of Community Innovation and Education. Located in the Dr. Phillips Academic Commons at UCF Downtown, our students are immersed in a thriving urban environment – just steps away from government offices, nonprofits and private organizations.
Our faculty research an array of topics within the public administration field, such as urban and regional planning, emergency management, nonprofit management, public policy, public affairs and research administration.
Mission and Vision
The UCF School of Public Administration prepares students for professional public service leadership through a curriculum set on a foundation of scholarship, ethical principles and engagement that creates relevant and accessible knowledge to address complex societal issues in Central Florida and beyond.
Vision
The UCF School of Public Administration is the preeminent source of public service leadership development for all communities in Central Florida, creating an internationally recognized model for professional education. Graduates are culturally competent professionals who are effective communicators and well-prepared to manage their organizations and lead their communities. The school’s faculty, students, staff and alumni work collaboratively with citizens to address the most daunting of societal challenges.
Values
The UCF School of Public Administration is dedicated to advancing public service values and civic leadership in all programmatic areas. For our faculty, staff and students, public service values are demonstrated by adhering to ethical principles of behavior and by acting in a professional manner.
Ethical Principles
We advocate the following ethical principles of conduct as the foundation of public service:
- Integrity – to serve in a honest, transparent manner while honoring promises.
- Benevolence – to promote the public good, avoid doing harm and respect the worth of each individual.
- Fairness – to act in way that is just and equitable to all, while avoiding undue burden on the most vulnerable in our society.
- Social Justice – to identify and address the unfair burdens experienced by groups of individuals through intentional and unintentional policies, laws, and societal projects and practices.
Professional Principles
We advocate the following professional principles to advance public service as a profession:
- Commitment – to pursue a passion for the public interest with accountability and transparency.
- Competence – to utilize the most current knowledge, skills and abilities to serve the public interest with efficiency and objectivity.
- Scholarship – to cherish and honor learning that enriches the human experience.
- Stewardship – to accept responsibility for decisions and actions regarding the protection of public resources.
- Diversity and Inclusiveness – to respect and value all perspectives and experiences, creating an environment that is open to all.
- Leadership – to inspire others to advance the public interest while actively promoting democratic participation and collaboration.
School History
The rich and dynamic history of the School of Public Administration is a hallmark of the school’s faculty, staff and leaders, who were all dedicated to pushing public administration education at UCF to new heights. Check out our timeline below to view facts, pictures and videos that depict the school’s 40-year history.