Dean Birdsell reaches NASPAA

Serving as Dean of the School of Public affairs, David Birdsell was recently elected to the executive council of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). He was chosen amongst a selective group consisting of only three other public affairs faculty members from colleges nationwide.

NASPAA is an accrediting organization, as well as a resource tool used by colleges and universities to promote a more intensive public service education throughout schools. According to their website, NASPAA works with its member institutions by developing appropriate standards for educational programs through its commission on peer review accreditation, encouraging curriculum development and innovation as well as collaborating with institutes and schools of public administration in other countries through conferences and joint projects.

Baruch College's School of Public Affairs has been accredited by NASPAA for its Masters of Public Administration.

"I see my election as recognition of the prominent role that Baruch's School of Public Affairs plays in shaping national standards in Public Affairs education," said Birdsell.

Birdsell's participation on the executive council is a great asset to the future plans he has for improving the quality of education offered by the School of Public Affairs.

"All deans have to look to the national organizations that establish standards of practice in order to serve their schools effectively" said Birdsell.

His new position as executive council member requires him to spend more time off campus and focus on national and international issues affecting the field of public affairs, to subsequently assist him in decisions he will make for Baruch's School of Public Affairs.

Accompanying the role of executive council member, Birdsell will also be stepping in as co-chair of NAPAA's Data Committee. He affirmed that this position will give him the opportunity to shape nationwide data collection in areas which played a long-time prominent role, such as executive education and service to the local community.

"This in turn improves my ability to serve Baruch's students and faculty and to give voice to some of their experiences and careful thinking about the kind of education we deliver here," he said.

Although Birdsell has many expectations for his new position at NASPAA, he still has many future goals for the School of Public Affairs as dean. His involvement as a committee member of the College's Strategic Planning process has prompted the implementation of projects, mostly relating to expanding the schools international partnerships and providing global relations throughout all degree programs.

Birdsell is passionate about the School of Public Affairs branching out internationally.

"The international arena is important for our students. Students need to know how other nations do their business and develop an appetite for comparative policy analysis, learning how different contexts and traditions shape solutions, some of which can help us develop and deliver better policies here in the USA," said Birdsell.

As well as expanding globally, Birdsell has his mind set on a national expansion for the School of Public affairs. Some of the curriculum for Public Affairs students requires them to focus on the nations' urban, health, security, economic and immigration policies, which are all formulated in Washington, DC.

"Students need to know how the District works even if they plan to spend the rest of their lives in the five boroughs," he emphasized.

In efforts to build the necessary Baruch-Washington, DC relationship, the School of Public affairs has launched a DC semester program that will become available to students this spring.

Up to 15 students will be given the chance to live in Washington, DC taking classes on Friday and devoting their Monday through Thursday schedule to internships in the Senate, the House, and in executive branch agencies.

Birdsell is deeply devoted to providing the best opportunities possible for Baruch students and works hard to achieve them.

"We'll prepare our students to influence policy and to provide inspired leadership at every level of government," he said.