George Mason University’s Department of Public and International Affairs announces the opening of three new centers of public service:
- The State and Local Government Leadership Center
- Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy
- Center for Federal Management Leadership
Paul Posner, the coordinator for the centers and director of the public administration program at Mason, said that these centers are intended to help the public deal with increasingly difficult challenges stemming from fiscal crises, an aging workforce and rising expectations for excellence in program delivery. The centers take advantage of expert faculty in Mason’s Department of Public and International Affairs.
The State and Local Government Leadership Center will focus on the implementation of state and local policies, especially in ethics, demography,and fiscal stewardship. Frank Shafroth, long time expert in federalism and fiscal issues as a representative of states and localities in Washington, will direct the center.
The Center for Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy, and Policy will be led by Alan Abramson, professor of government and politics and a recognized local and national and leader on nonprofits and philanthropy. The center seeks to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations through research, training, public education and other activities that engage nonprofit leaders and others who care about these institutions.
The Center for Federal Management Leadership will be directed by Sheldon Edner, recently retired as a senior manager for the federal Department of Transportation and longtime adjunct faculty with Mason's Department of Public and International Affairs. The center will focus on the development of federal executive managers through the provision of professional development and continuous learning services.
The centers will be located on Mason’s Arlington campus to take advantage of Mason’s strong community ties in Northern Virginia and in the region.