The mission of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA) is to prepare students to make substantive contributions to society through careers as managers, advisors, and policy analysts in government and nonprofit organizations in a multitude of geographic locations throughout the world. This mission is accomplished through dedication to quality teaching that builds skills and commitments to the core values, challenges, and rewards of public service. It is supported through basic and applied research on timely issues of public management; international, regional, and urban affairs; and policy making. The school and faculty are committed to making a difference in the world by drawing on diverse skills and knowledge to improve the performance of public and nonprofit organizations that contribute to free and just societies in the United States and abroad. To accomplish these ends, GSPIA teaches, conducts research, and performs public service in the following areas:
- The management and administration of public and nonprofit agencies
- The growth and sustainable development of urban metropolitan regions throughout the world
- The economic and social development of newly independent and developing states
- The emerging dynamics that are shaping today’s international political economy
- Threats to and issues in international security
The mission of GSPIA stresses the importance of democratic responsibilities and personal integrity in the management of human affairs as well as the professional qualifications required for managing constructive change. Students and faculty alike are required to:
- Demonstrate the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct
- Use critical thinking and problem solving skills in addressing public policy issues
- Consider the international and intersectoral aspects of public affairs
- Develop partnerships with others both internal and external to the University of Pittsburgh
Contact Information
Recuitment & Admissions Office
Suite 3601 Posvar Hall
412-648-7640
E-mail: gspia@pitt.edu
www.gspia.pitt.edu
Advising and Career Services
Academic Advising: Each student is assigned a faculty advisor based on, whenever possible, the compatibility of student and faculty academic interests. Faculty advisors assure that students, through proper course selection, can make productive use of the resources of the school and the University during their period of residence. In addition, faculty advisors are responsible for counseling their advisees about career opportunities in the student’s area of study; for counseling advisees who have been placed on probation; and for approving the advisee’s school-wide required and elective courses, proposed thesis or dissertation topics, and supervised internships. Advisors and students monitor academic progress and identify areas where corrective action on the part of students may be required. It is essential, therefore, that students consult periodically with their advisors. Unless students subsequently request a change, faculty members originally assigned will continue as advisors throughout the students’ program of study. If, however, a change in faculty advisor is requested, students must obtain the signed approval of the new advisors. Based on a student-focused approach, we provide students with a academic advisor who serves as the first point of contact for class registration, financial aid application and preparation for graduation. Additionally, academic advisors support students by providing information necessary to navigate the logistical challenges of graduate school and connect students to resources at the University of Pittsburgh.
Career Services: GSPIA places great emphasis on assisting students in determining the best and most appropriate positions available. In addition to faculty advisors, the school provides resources and guidance for students throughout their course of study as they devise strategies to identify professional opportunities. Among the many services offered through Career Services are individual career advising, internship and job search assistance, and a series of career-related workshops and special events. Extensive reference materials on jobs, fellowships, and internships are made available in a variety of ways, including GSPIA Career Launch, GSPIA’s online career management system for students and alumni. Workshops cover such topics as resume preparation, job search strategies, negotiation skills, networking, and using technology in securing employment. Special events include Foreign Service information sessions, mock interviews for the Presidential Management Fellowship Program, an internship fair, and networking events with alumni, foundations, and agency representatives on campus and in Washington, D.C.
Faculty
Lisa S. Alfredson, Professor, PhD, London School of Economics
Ariel Armony, Professor, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Luke Condra, Assistant Professor, PhD, Stanford University
Sabina E. Deitrick, Associate Professor, PhD, University of California, Berkeley
George W. Dougherty, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Georgia
Nicola Foote, Professor, PhD, University College London
Melinda Haas, Assistant Professor, JD, PhD, University of Pennsylvania Law School, Princeton University
Gary Hollibaugh, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Rochester
Muge Kokten Finkel, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Virginia
Shanti Gamper-Rabindra, Associate Professor, Phd, Massachusetts Insitute of Technology
Marcela Gonzalez Rivas, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Ryan Grauer, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Daniel Jones, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Pittsburgh
Michael Kenney, Associate Professor, PhD, University of Florida
Michael Lewin, Senior Lecturer, PhD, Johns Hopkins University
Huafang Li, Assistant Professor, PhD, Rutgers University
Siyao Li, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Sera Linardi, Assistant Professor, PhD, California Institute of Technology
Jennifer B. Murtazashvili, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Ilia Murtazashvili, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Lisa Nelson, Associate Professor, PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Erica Owen, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Minnesota
Carissa Schively Slotterback, Dean and Professor, PhD, Florida State University
Taylor Seybolt, Associate Professor, PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Brooke Shannon, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Texas at Austin
Nuno Themudo, Associate Professor, PhD, London School of Economics
Jeremy Weber, Assistant Professor, Phd, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Rashad Williams, Assistant Professor, PhD, University of Minnesota
Part-time and Visiting Faculty
Kathleen Buechel, Senior Lecturer, MA, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Julie Santucci, Senior Lecturer, MA, University of Arizona
Program and Course Offerings
