PUBA News

Learn more about our Program, Faculty, students, and activities.


Map of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (EPPSO)

MPA Graduates Co-Author Impactful Capstone Publication

The capstone project for our MPA graduates last fall has been accepted for publication in LIAISON, the magazine of INDOPACOM’s Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM).
Public Administration Student Organization (PASO) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

PASO – An Exciting Year in Review

In Fall 2022, a new team of Public Administration Student Organization (PASO) officers Sharon Baillie (President), Melanie Martin (Vice President), Jared Kawatani (Treasurer), Tristan Bones (Secretary) and Moises Ayala (Student Liaison) gathered to …
Moises Ayala

Student Spotlight – Moises Ayala

Why did you choose PUBA? My career as a military service member influenced me to seek a deeper understanding of public service. I specifically selected this program because of the PUBA team’s responsiveness …
Sharon Baillie

Student Spotlight – Sharon Baillie

Why did you choose PUBA? I was looking to grow my understanding of public service and develop my leadership skills. I had several great conversations with Jaret, the prior Program Manager of PUBA …
Rachele Lamosao

Alumni Spotlight – Rachele Lamosao

How has your MPA helped you? My MPA has been integral in supporting my professional growth and development throughout my career pathway. The MPA program provided me with the necessary knowledge, information, and …
Kenika-Lorenzo-Elarco

Alumni Spotlight – Kenika Lorenzo-Elarco

How has your MPA helped you? My MPA has proven to be an invaluable asset in both my education and my career. The Public Administration program provided me with a wide-ranging set of …
The Dick Pratt Endowed Scholarship

News from the Scholarship Committee

Today, more than ever, effective, forward-looking public service matters. The Dick Pratt Endowed Scholarship seeks to help build the future of public service in Hawaiʻi and the Asia-Pacific. The Scholarship is named after …
Dr. Morgen Johansen

Aloha, from the Program Director

The past few years have been challenging for us all. Our faculty and students had to quickly pivot to online at the start of COVID. Our graduating class this year started their MPAs …

Public Affairs #88

U.S. News & World Report recently released the 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings and we are pleased to announce that the Public Administration Program at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is in the …
Pictured (left to right): Mary Janell Murro, Kenika Lorenzo-Elarco, Dr. Helen H. Yu, Melanie Martin, & Samuel Kippen

American Society of Public Administration Conference

The 2022 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Conference was held from March 18 to 22 in Jacksonville, Florida. Our Graduate Chair, Dr. Helen H. Yu, and four MPA students, Mary Janell Murro, …
Public Administration Student Organization (PASO) at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Newly Elected PASO Officers Hit the Ground Running

In Fall 2021, the new slate of Public Administration Student Organization (PASO) officers Melanie Martin (President), Sharon Baillie (Vice-President/Secretary), Jared Kawatani (Treasurer) and Fahzeela Mohamed (Student Liaison Officer) met to plan fun, yet …
Samuel Kippen

Student Spotlight – Samuel Kippen

Why did you choose PUBA? The faculty. I had several conversations with a member of the PUBA team, while I was considering the program. He was informative and responsive, and guided me through …
Mary Janell Murro

Student Spotlight – Mary Janell Murro

Why did you choose PUBA? After my undergraduate studies, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the resources needed to change systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice through policy development and advocacy. After …
Radiant Cordero

Alumni Spotlight – Radiant Cordero (MPA ’16)

How has your MPA helped you? The different tracks that the MPA focused on like human resources, economics, non-profits, and more helped me to be a more effective community and government leader. The …
Shannon Mark

Alumni Spotlight – Shannon Mark (MPA ’20)

How has your MPA helped you? My MPA has helped me in many different ways professionally and as a global citizen. I have learned the skills and tools to be an effective leader …
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