Organizations

SPAA urges students to be involved beyond the classroom and we specifically support three organizations to assist students in this endeavor. They are:

Alliance of Leaders in Public Service

If you are an undergraduate student, you may wish to join the Alliance of Leaders in Public Service (ALPS), a WMU registered student organization for those planning a career in the public service. ALPS invites professional speakers, hosts workshops, provides volunteer opportunities, and allows space for students to network. This is a student-led, department supported organization and graduate students may also attend their functions.

Pi Alpha Alpha

If eligible, master's and doctoral students in the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University are invited to join Pi Alpha Alpha, the global honor society for public affairs and administration. Membership in Pi Alpha Alpha is for M.P.A. and Ph.D. students who have completed over 50 percent of their coursework and have maintained a 3.7 GPA.

American Society for Public Administration

Students at all levels should consider ASPA! While there are numerous professional organizations you may join, the American Society for Public Administration is the primary one for all aspects of our profession and has low student rates. There is a local ASPA chapter and sections on everything from organizational development and public budgeting to social justice, nonprofits, and LGBT advocacy. The American Society for Public Administration is an advocate for greater effectiveness in government, advances the art and science of public administration, provides networking and professional development opportunities, promotes the value of public service employment, and has a Code of Ethics relevant to all aspects of public management.