Marvin Andrews Graduate Program in Urban Management
| the nation’s premier program in urban management innovation |

The Marvin Andrews Graduate Program in Urban Management is offered by the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University in cooperation with the Arizona City Management Association. The program, which leads to a Masters degree in Public Administration (learn more about the MPA), is designed to identify the country’s most talented students aspiring to executive levels in local government. Andrews Fellows receive the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to help them become leaders in the field of urban management. Located at Arizona State University’s newest campus in downtown Phoenix, Arizona—a center for local government innovation—the program offers a special focus on the process of management innovation and a unique blend of theory and practice.

Up to six students are admitted to the Marvin Andrews program each academic year. In addition to completing the requirements of the Masters of Public Administration degree, Andrews Fellows serve half-time internships in various city governments in the Phoenix metropolitan area. 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. As part of their coursework, and in addition to their internships, the Andrews Fellows also engage in course-related “real world” projects in urban management and urban policy in cooperation with other local governments in Arizona and the Southwest.

Andrews Fellows receive compensation for their internships at a level comparable to other research or teaching assistantships at Arizona State University. In addition, each fellow receives a small scholarship each year to defray the cost of fees and books. Andrews Fellows are also eligible to apply for tuition waivers offered by ASU’s Division of Graduate Studies.

The Marvin Andrews Graduate Program in Urban Management 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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