MARVIN ANDREWS GRADUATE PROGRAM IN URBAN MANAGEMENT
About the Program
Up to six students are admitted to the Marvin Andrews program each academic year. In addition to completing the requirements of the Master of Public Administration degree, each of the students is also assigned a top local government official in the state to serve as a personal mentor during the program and beyond.
Andrews Fellows have the opportunity to work as half-time management interns in the Center for Urban Innovation where they do research to support ASU’s collaboration with the Alliance for Innovation, the premier networking association for cities and counties committed to innovation and transforming local government. After one year, they are assigned to work with one of the many progressive and fast-growing cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area. As employees of the University, each fellow receives tuition reimbursement and health insurance.
Andrews Fellows are also assigned a top local government official in the state to serve as a personal mentor during the program and beyond and receive support to attend state and national meetings of the International City/County Management Association.
Program Leadership & Faculty:
The Marvin Andrews Graduate Program is directed by Dr. Martin Vanacour, a Professor of Practice in the School of Public Affairs. Dr. Vanacour served as the city manager of Glendale, Arizona for seventeen years. Students in the program will take courses taught by leading faculty in the School of Public Affairs including:
- James Svara, one of the country’s leading scholars in the field of council-manager government;
- Robert and Janet Denhardt, authors of several recent studies of leadership and innovation in local government;
- John Hall, whose work in urban citistates and community resilience is well-known;
- Joe Cayer, whose interests include local government human resources;
- Zhiyong Lan, who has considerable expertise in urban information technology; and
- Barbara McCabe, the author of important recent works on urban institutions.
In addition to taking courses taught by faculty in the School, Andrews Fellows have the opportunity to take classes taught by faculty associates with substantial experience in urban management. Among the practitioners who have recently served in this capacity are Frank Fairbanks, city manager of Phoenix; Richard Bowers, former city manager of Scottsdale, Arizona; and Lloyd Harrell, former city manager of Chandler, Arizona.
About Marvin Andrews:
The Marvin Andrews Graduate Program in Public Administration is named in honor of Marvin A. Andrews, who served for thirteen years as city manager of Phoenix, the largest council-manager government in the United States and a city considered by many to be the “best run” city in the United States. Andrews was named the best city manager in the United States in 1986 by City and State Magazine, received the National Civic League's "All-America City" award in 1979 and 1989, the International City Management Association's Mark Keane Award for Excellence in 1994, and the National Academy of Public Administration's National Public Service Award in 1990.
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