At the School of Government & Public Policy (SGPP), we believe a healthy democracy depends on well-informed citizens, ethical leaders, and public institutions that serve the common good. As a multidisciplinary school at the University of Arizona, we are well positioned to prepare new generations of civic leaders, policy innovators, and engaged public servants who will help build a more just, compassionate, and resilient democracy.
Our faculty are national leaders in fields that shape the future of public life: from collaborative governance and national security to environmental policy, criminal justice reform, and the psychology of democratic participation. Our dedicated team work tirelessly to create pathways for students to thrive in classrooms, communities, and careers, placing hundreds of students each year in internships, fellowships, and leadership opportunities that transform lives and communities alike. We prepare graduates not just for successful careers in public, nonprofit, and private sectors, but to make lasting, meaningful contributions to the democratic institutions and civil society that sustain us all.
OUR PURPOSE IS CLEAR
Together, we empower individuals to become informed, compassionate, and courageous leaders, dedicated to advancing public service, strengthening democratic institutions, and advancing the public good.
OUR VISION IS BOLD
Together, we help create a world where policy and governance solve society’s most urgent challenges, and where democracy is defended, expanded, and made meaningful in people’s everyday lives.
OUR VALUES GUIDE US
interdisciplinary curiosity civic excellence compassionate service
impactful collaboration resilient community
Through our Wildcat Challenge, we are called to fulfill not just our own potential as a school, but to help our democracy fulfill its promise. We have charted an ambitious plan for the next three years that is rooted in the University of Arizona’s Delivering on our Promise strategic imperatives and the strategic plan of the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.
We have empowered our Wildcat Support Committee to monitor and evaluate progress towards our Wildcat Challenge. By the time we celebrate our 20th anniversary in Fall 2029, we aim for the SGPP to be a place you find:
Welcome home
We foster an inclusive and supportive environment where every alum, student, faculty member, and staff person feels they belong. By creating a truly "welcome home," we ensure that our school is a foundation for lifelong connection and academic belonging.
- Give students a sense of home within SGPP by creating an SGPP lounge area. Ideal location involves refurbishment of 300/301 offices and foyer.
- Decorate our social science space to include materials of importance to constituent groups (e.g., student photography competition, SGPP pet portraits).
- Recognize the contributions of alumni, emeritus faculty, and donors by launching a Hall of Fame display in main hallway of social sciences 3rd floor.
Individualized plans for success
We recognize that every student’s and member of our team's journey is unique and requires tailored support to reach its full potential. Through personalized pathways and mentoring, we empower our people to navigate their education and careers with a clear plan for future success.
- Clarify expectations for all employee groups by documenting and sharing extensive onboarding materials and handbooks.
- Provide predictability by initiating a 3-year course schedule.
- Design and implement preparation programming for student access to high impact practices, scholarships, and career readiness.
Leaders for public service
Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of principled professionals dedicated to the common good. We equip our graduates with the skills and ethics necessary to serve as effective leaders in government, nonprofit, and civic sectors.
- Build out Service-to-Service program for military veterans to pivot towards local government service.
- Participate in training of election administrators alongside NAU and ASU colleagues.
- Better leverage impacts of MPA and MPP capstone projects.
Democracy Moonshot
We are launching an ambitious "moonshot" to strengthen the foundations of democratic life and civic resilience. By prioritizing civic literacy and engagement, we aim to revitalize public trust and ensure democracy thrives in the lives of our students and communities.
- Launch 21st Century Democracy Initiatives to provide coherent framing for research and outreach activities.
- Cement routine Policy Lab Workshop Series.
- Design and run series of events for students around national elections.
Coalitions of strategic partners
Our impact is multiplied through intentional, high-impact alliances with those who share our vision. By building a robust coalition of alumni, donors, and community leaders, we co-create solutions to society’s most pressing policy challenges.
- Partnership with Secretary of State's Office through Arizona Voter Project and election administration programming.
- Partnership with UA Office of Public Safety on school safety (TUSD) and campus security.
- Multidimensional partnership with Tucson Police Department on training and research.
Alignment with UA's mission
We operate in lockstep with the University of Arizona’s strategic imperatives to deliver on the promise of a land-grant institution. Our research, teaching, and outreach are intentionally designed to advance the university's broader goals of excellence and societal impact.
- Specific targeting under Student Success Goals.
- Alignment with research priorities on National Security, Water, Energy.
- Lead UA development of a public service workforce as part of our unique borderlands-grant mission.
Team spirit sustained
Our success is driven by a world-class team of faculty and staff who represent our greatest institutional strength. We invest in our people by fostering a culture of mutual respect, shared success, and continuous professional excellence.
- Round out a range of annual awards to celebrate students, staff, faculty, alumni, and partners/supporters.
- Expand activities under MENTOR Institute certification.
- Build teams with mix of students, staff, and faculty to tackle key Wildcat Challenge initiatives.