The 2024 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Conference took place from April 12 to 16 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Dr. Helen H. Yu, our Interim Director and Graduate Chair, along with two MPA students, Mackenzie Plunkett (right) and Seoyoun Cho (left), traveled to attend this significant event.
Dr. Yu presented her recently published research article, titled “LGBTQ+ Officers in U.S. Federal Service: A Study of Workplace Inclusion and Experiences of Sex-Based Discrimination,” in a session themed ‘Moving Forward in Building Equity.’ Her research delved into the relationship between workplace inclusion and the experiences of LGBTQ+ officers concerning sex-based harassment and discrimination. Her findings underscored the positive influence of workplace inclusion not only on LGBTQ+ officers but also on their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts, suggesting the benefits of promoting inclusion for all members of the workforce. Moreover, her presentation highlighted the need for increased attention and research on the workplace experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals at the federal level to better reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
Meanwhile, Seoyoun Cho also shared the findings from her thesis, titled “The Impact of Female Role Models or Mentors on Promotion Aspirations and Turnover Intentions of Female Public Servants in the Korean Central Government,” in the same session. Her research indicated that female public servants’ perception on the proportion of women in higher-ranked positions are negatively associated with their turnover intentions, suggesting that having more women in leadership can promote female public servants’ retention.
During the conference’s first day, Mackenzie and Seoyoun participated in the ‘Students and New Professional Summit.’ This summit provided essential lectures and sessions tailored for students and new professionals in Public Administration, regarding the right attitudes and mindsets for Public Administration, tips to craft effective resumes or CVs, useful interview skills, and how to leverage networking opportunities. The summit provided invaluable chances to connect with peers and learn from esteemed public administrators, including professors, city managers, and nonprofit leaders.
Under the overarching theme of ‘Building Resilient Communities,’ the conference emphasized the importance of resilient communities as a solution to navigate crises in an interconnected world. For current and future public administrators in Hawaiʻi, building resilience can manifest through Mālama ʻĀina, or taking care of the land and its resources. Many presentations centered around bridging academia with practitioners and governments to address gaps and promote social equity in public administration at all levels.
Attending future ASPA conferences is encouraged for MPA students, as this event serves as an excellent opportunity to stay informed about cutting-edge research and ongoing initiatives in the field. It also provides a platform for networking with peers and faculty from other esteemed educational institutions as well as practitioners with valuable field experience.