Assistant Professor Michelle Allgood from the University of New Mexico's School of Public Administration has been named an American Society of Public Administration (ASPA) Founders' Fellow. This prestigious fellowship program supports the next generation of public service leaders through professional development opportunities. Allgood expressed her excitement about the fellowship, stating, "I'm excited for the opportunity to learn more and to represent UNM's commitment to public service."
Allgood's interest in public service began during her time as a missionary in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She said, "The idea that I could learn management and leadership skills to better serve the community was appealing." This interest eventually led her to a career focused on education access and equity, and then to public leadership and management. Allgood is thrilled to be a part of UNM, where she sees the same passion that ignited her journey in Oklahoma.
To secure the fellowship, Allgood had to complete an application, write an essay, and provide a personal statement on a topic she feels public administration will face in the upcoming years. She also received a letter of support from a current ASPA member. Patria de Lancer Julnes, the SPA Rosenthal Endowed Professor and Director, praised Allgood, stating, "In her short time at UNM, Professor Allgood has demonstrated that she is a rising star in the field of public administration."
As part of the fellowship, Allgood will receive a year of mentoring. She is also planning to present her research on increasing accessibility in public services for individuals with disabilities at a conference in Minneapolis. Allgood explained, "We are exploring the connection between different internal organizational characteristics, like the centralization of decision making and the concurrent use of complex ICTs, to see what may influence an organization's learning over time to create more accessible websites."
Allgood's achievement highlights the prominence of young professionals in UNM's School of Public Administration and the growing programs within. She believes that this accomplishment demonstrates the university's commitment to developing future leaders for various types of public service work. Allgood stated, "This commitment to training public servants to face the current challenges of our day forces us as faculty members to be engaged with the community and identify skills and knowledge gaps that we can train students to fill."
Through her fellowship, Allgood hopes to make a noticeable impact on communities and contribute to building healthier and stronger societies. With her dedication to public service and her passion for creating positive change, Allgood is poised to become a leader in the field of public administration.
