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.  

The Marvin Andrews Fellowship in Urban Management 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. In 1983, Andrews helped usher in a new era in city government introducing the council district system and also pushed a new, heightened focus on neighborhoods. He was also praised for efficiently managing city services during the explosive growth years of the early 1980s, as well as for cost-effective programs. Even after he retired in 1990, Andrews remained highly active in city affairs, serving for more than 10 years on the Phoenix Aviation Advisory Board and as chairman of the Sky Harbor Master Plan Steering Committee, among other things.

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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