TAMIU’s MPA Program Marks 25th Anniversary with Celebration
Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Master of Public Administration program commemorated its 25th anniversary with a campus event recognizing its impact and alumni contributions to public service Oct. 16 in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library's Helen Richter Watson Gallery.
The event was open to alumni, faculty, and MPA Program students.
TAMIU's MPA Program, accredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA), was created specifically for mid-career professionals who want to work in the nonprofit and public sectors and improve their professional knowledge and abilities.
Since its launch in 1999, the Program has continued to evolve in student enrollment and completion, faculty strength, curriculum development, and overall productivity, said Dr. Peter Haruna, Program director and professor of Public Administration.
The MPA Program has earned national recognition over the last 25 years by graduating 250 professionals and obtaining ongoing accreditation by NASPAA.
“Initially, our students were primarily Webb County residents,” Dr. Haruna said, “Over the years, we’ve seen growing interest from across South Texas, other Texas cities, and even out of state. Today, the program enrolls students from across the country.”
Haruna noted that the program’s delivery model has also undergone a significant transformation.
“What began as a traditional, in-person program has since become fully online, allowing us to better serve working professionals far beyond Laredo,” he said.
Graduates of the Program serve in a wide range of roles across the public sector, including as city managers, county treasurers, directors of utilities, university administrators, and school district officials.
The TAMIU MPA Alumni Association and MPA Advisory Board have continued to play a vital role in fostering strong community outreach, which allows the program to build meaningful partnerships and collaborations with public agencies, Haruna said.
“We have formalized agreements with the City of Laredo, Webb County, and the Laredo Police Department to strengthen the MPA program’s community partnerships and create a collaborative environment for teaching and learning,” he said, “Additionally, we have expanded our global reach through partnerships with universities in South Africa and Ghana, facilitating student and faculty exchange programs.”
Haruna also highlighted the program’s accomplished faculty, whose expertise spans a wide range of public administration specialties, including budgeting, ethics, human resources, nonprofit management, organizational processes and policy analysis.
The Oct. 16 celebration included reflections on the program’s history, recognition of distinguished alumni and an opportunity to connect across generations of public service professionals trained at TAMIU.
For more information, about the TAMIU MPA Program or its 25th Anniversary Celebration, visit tamiu.edu/mpa, contact the MPA program office at 956.326.2613 or email Dr. Peter Haruna at pharuna@tamiu.edu.
About TAMIU
Texas A&M International University is a nationally ranked, regionally focused University with a rich and proud history of delivering transformative educational opportunities that change the trajectory of its students, their families, and South Texas. Its impactful force is delivered daily by a gifted and global faculty leading 55-degree programs at bachelors, masters, and doctoral levels...all on a dynamic 300-acre residential campus.
TAMIU Launched its 55th Anniversary Oct. 7 with “55 Years of Making Milestones, A TAMIU Celebration,” sharing news of Celebration, the University’s largest enrollment in its history, 9,000+ students, and the appointment of TAMIU’s seventh President, Dr. Christopher Maynard.
For more about this story, please contact TAMIU's Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services, at 956.326.2180, email prmis@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library 268.
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