USC Price’s Elizabeth Graddy at the NAPA induction ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 17. (Photo by Robert Stevens)
From USC Price staff reports
Elizabeth Graddy – USC’s Vice Provost of Academic and Faculty Affairs and professor at the Price School of Public Policy – has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), in recognition of her significant scholarly contributions to the field.
Established in 1967, the academy consists of professional and academic leaders in public management, and is chartered by the U.S. Congress to assist federal, state and local governments in improving their effectiveness, efficiency and accountability. Graddy was formally inducted on Nov. 17 at NAPA’s annual fall meeting in Washington, D.C.
“Dr. Graddy has shown exemplary academic and administrative leadership throughout her career,” said USC Price Dean Jack H. Knott. “In addition to her research, she is an effective teacher and mentor to countless policy and administration students, developing future leaders in the field.”
“She will be an outstanding addition to NAPA’s ranks, and the academy will greatly benefit from her research expertise, leadership experience and commitment to public administration,” he added.
Graddy’s areas of expertise encompass institutional economics, public and nonprofit organizations, and public policy analysis. Her research includes the design and management of relationships among public and private organizations to deliver publicly funded services. This research, Knott noted, “will be part of her lasting impact on public administration and public affairs.”
“I very much appreciate the honor this election affords and the opportunity to apply more broadly my work on the role of private organizations in serving the public interest,” said Graddy, who holds the Jeffrey J. Miller Chair in Government, Business, and the Economy at USC Price.
“Governments working with business and nonprofits in service delivery, policy making, and regulatory processes offer the promise of better solutions to the complex problems we face, but much work remains on how to design and effectively manage these relationships,” Graddy added.
Prior to her current role as vice provost, Graddy served as senior associate dean for six years and Vice Dean for four years at USC Price, where she played an instrumental role in the school’s development, including innovative curricular programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
An esteemed scholar, Graddy co-edits and serves on the editorial boards of major academic publications, including the Journal of Policy Analysis & Management and the Policy Studies Journal. Her service to the field also includes membership on the advisory councils of foundation projects on human services research and healthcare licensing, and as vice president of the State of California’s Board of Podiatric Medicine.
The academy names only a limited number of fellows each year. Fellows include current and former members of Congress and cabinet officers, governors, mayors, state legislators, diplomats, scholars, local public officials, and private and nonprofit executives.
Graddy joins a legacy of Price-affiliated NAPA members, including Knott, Raphael Bostic, Ross Clayton, Terry Cooper, Janet Denhardt, Robert Denhardt, James Ferris, Dora Kingsley Vertenten, E. Kim Nelson, Chet Newland, Jane Pisano, Mark Pisano, Francine Rabinovitz, Shui Yan Tang and Joseph Wholey.
In addition, USC Price alumna Jennifer Brinkerhoff Ph.D. ’94, who is now a professor of public administration and international affairs at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., was also elected a fellow of NAPA.