KINGSTON, R.I. – The University of Rhode Island (URI) Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is excited to announce that Associate Professor and Associate MPA Director Karen Sweeting has been selected by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) for its national Social Justice Curriculum Award. NASPAA is the global accreditor for public service graduate programs and a membership association with over 300 member schools. Dr. Sweeting will be recognized for this award at the global conference being held at Flagstaff, AZ on Oct. 8-10.
“Dr. Sweeting’s selection for this national award is a profound achievement for her and another example of our faculty’s commitment to engaging with students about the key challenges that thoughtful, inclusive, and justice-driven public service professionals will encounter in today’s public service workplaces,” said MPA Director Aaron Ley. “I can think of no other more deserving scholar to receive this award than Dr. Sweeting, who is nationally known for producing cutting edge research in this area and has become known by our students to provide innovative and inspiring instruction.”
Innovative Pedagogical Approaches
Dr. Sweeting teaches all four of the MPA program’s required core courses, each of which incorporates a strong focus on social justice. Her integration of JEDI principles is not limited to a single course, but shapes the foundation of the program’s entire curriculum. According to Ley, “Dr. Sweeting is uniquely qualified to teach all our required core courses, drawing on her scholarly expertise and over 20 years of professional experience in Human Resources. Her rare skillset allows her to guide thoughtful, often personal discussions in a classroom environment that is rigorous, supportive, and inclusive.”
Dr. Sweeting’s courses challenge students to grapple with complex ideas central to social justice, sometimes for the first time. She further supports her students by creating a classroom culture where all students feel seen and empowered. This approach supports high academic performance and growth, demonstrating that thoughtful accommodations and excellence can go hand in hand. This deep commitment to student well-being and equitable learning is demonstrated by her application of a growth potential grading model that allows students to revise and resubmit work after receiving detailed feedback.
A Rising Star for Social Justice Research
In less than four years at URI, Dr. Karen Sweeting has published numerous peer-reviewed articles relating to social justice values. More importantly, her groundbreaking research has earned national recognition, with three prestigious awards for excellence in her field. In 2023, she received the Rising Star Award from the American Society for Public Administration’s (ASPA) Section for Women in Public Administration. This was followed by the 2024 Best Article Award from ASPA’s LGBT Section and in 2025 URI’s College of Arts & Sciences Research Excellence Award.
Social Justice Leadership
Beyond the classroom and research, Dr. Sweeting’s leadership has transformed the governance and entire curriculum of the MPA program. Through these efforts, Dr. Sweeting embedded social justice values into the program’s strategic planning processes, while also designing and administering an MPA climate survey to assess how well the program meets its goals and to guide curricular and programmatic adjustments based on real-time data.
Her contributions to professional service are equally outstanding and multifaceted. She actively leads the writing workshops at URI that are tailored for women in academia. She also holds influential leadership and board positions across multiple professional sections. Through these roles, Dr. Sweeting has established valuable connections across disciplines and geographic regions, and has successfully elevated the national profile of our MPA program and the University of Rhode Island.
“As chair, I have seen firsthand how Dr. Sweeting’s commitment to service and her influence in the field reflect her deep dedication to advancing equity and excellence in academia and beyond,” said Ping Xu, Chair of the Political Science Department, “She is one of the most highly respected and deeply valued members of our department, and we are fortunate to have her as a colleague. Her extensive experience as a practitioner, combined with her thoughtfulness and commitment to creating meaningful changes, enrich our department and university community every day. Her work is a model of how research, teaching, and service can complement and reinforce one another to foster lasting impact both inside and outside the university.”
About the URI MPA Program
Established in 1961, the University of Rhode Island’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program is the only NASPAA-accredited MPA program in Rhode Island. It provides rigorous yet flexible training in public service leadership, policy analysis, and public management. Through partnerships with nonprofit organizations, state agencies, and local governments, the program prepares graduates to lead, manage, and address critical public service challenges.
For more information, please contact Aaron J. Ley, Ph.D, URI MPA Director at ajley@uri.edu, or 218.431.0622.