Public Administration Prof. Jack Meek Named President of NASPAA

This fall, a University of La Verne professor of public administration will assume the top leadership role in the organization that sets the standards for public service education.

Dr. Jack Meek will be installed as the president of the executive council for the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) at its annual conference in Washington, D.C. in October.

“It’s important for the University of La Verne to participate in NASPAA in order to stay abreast of the cutting edge issues associated with schools of public affairs and the efforts to expand public service education internationally,” said Meek, ’75.

NASPAA was founded in 1970 as a resource to universities developing educational programs in public service. It is also the accrediting body for programs in public policy, affairs and administration. The graduates from these programs go on to work in the public sector, serving in government or nonprofits as administrators and policymakers.

Today, NASPAA consists of more than 300 member institutions, including schools in Brazil, China, Egypt, Ghana, Hungary, Mexico, Philippines, Qatar, Netherlands, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Venezuela, Colombia, and Korea, and it’s looking to continue to amplify its global reach.

“NASPAA is exciting because it allows me to meet members from around the world with regard to what they think is quality education, and the challenges they face in preparing students for leadership roles in public service,” said Meek.

The University of La Verne’s College of Business and Public Management offers three programs in public service education: a bachelor’s degree in public administration, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) and a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA).

Meek was part of the faculty team that secured the organization’s accreditation for the University of La Verne’s MPA program in 2000. Later, he evaluated other public service educational programs around the country while serving on NASPAA’s Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, and also chaired the Standards Committee. Most recently, he served as the vice president of the executive council for the 2016-17 academic year.