UW News

October 8, 2009

Dean of Evans School of Public Affairs elected to national academy

Sandra O. Archibald, dean and professor in the Evans School of Public Affairs, has been elected to the National Academy of Public Administration. The academy is an independent, nonprofit coalition of top public management and organizational leaders who address the nation’s most important public policy matters.


Membership in the academy, chartered by Congress in 1967, is considered one of the highest honors in the field of public policy and recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding professional achievements as well as commitment to service. UW President Mark Emmert was elected to the academy in 2008.


Since Archibald’s arrival at the UW in 2003, the Evans School has risen 12 places in the U.S. News & World Report rankings of schools of public affairs. It’s now sixth among peer programs at public universities. This fall, the school welcomed a record-breaking 162 new students to its master of public administration program. Also under Archibald’s leadership, the school has added doctoral and executive master of public administration programs.


Earlier this year, the Municipal League of King County, Wash. recognized Archibald and the Evans School with the Warren G. Magnuson Award for Contributions to the Enhancement of Local Government. Archibald was also named the 2009 Public Administration Educator of the Year by the Evergreen Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.


As a researcher, Archibald focuses on economics, institutions and public policy. Her work includes water issues, food safety and higher education management.


Before coming to the UW, Archibald was associate dean, interim dean and deputy associate dean in the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. She holds a doctoral degree in agricultural economics from the University of California, Davis, as well a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley.


National Academy members advise Congress, state and local governments, foundations and academics on matters such as budgets, human resources and strategic planning. New fellows will be introduced to the Academy during the 2009 fall meeting November 19-20 in Washington, D.C. For additional information about the National Academy of Public Administration, go to www.napawash.org.