New Jersey’s Acting Governor Tahesha Way to Speak at  Event on the Future of Public Administration in Aftermath of Presidential Election

Acting Governor Tahesha Way will speak at Rutgers-Newark at an event titled, “The Future of Public Service: Challenges and Opportunities,” hosted by the School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) and supported by the New Jersey State Policy Lab at Rutgers on Monday, November 18. The event will explore the future of public administration at the federal and state levels. 

Bonita Veysey, Provost of Rutgers-Newark, will open the event with welcoming remarks, followed by a panel featuring Allison Chris Myers, Chair and CEO of the NJ Civil Service Commission; Jonathan Koppell, President of Montclair State University; and John Bartle, Distinguished Professor at the University of Nebraska Omaha and President-elect of the American Society for Public Administration.

“A thriving democracy depends on strong public service, yet in recent years, this essential pillar has been eroded, politicized, and met with distrust,’’ said SPAA Dean Kaifeng Yang, who will moderate the panel. “With potential challenges on the horizon after this presidential election, we must anticipate and understand the true obstacles confronting public service. Now, more than ever, we need to reshape the narrative, restore trust, and rekindle a passion for public service that inspires action and change.”

He added, “Strengthening public service in the face of political polarization and limited resources is a critical challenge across all levels of government, including here in New Jersey. Our states are the laboratories of democracy, and we aim for New Jersey to lead the way in public service reform and renewal.”

“We want people to understand two things,’’ said Yang. “First, in today’s political climate, the need for dedicated professional public service has never been more urgent.  Second, we must invest in preparing the next generation of public service leaders, equipping them with the skills, values, and vision to meet the challenges ahead.’’

The event will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall, 15 Washington Street.