Shields named Fellow by National Academy of Public Administration

Patricia Shields, a professor in the Department of Political Science at Texas State University, has been selected by the National Academy of Public Administration for inclusion in its 2019 Class of Academy Fellows.

The selection comes in recognition of Shields' years of public administration service and expertise. Induction of the 51 new fellows will take place Nov. 7-8 in Arlington, Virginia.

"I am excited and happy about becoming a NAPA Fellow," Shields said. "Texas State and the Department of Political Science provided the sustained support necessary to make this happen; and for that I am grateful."

Shields began teaching as part of the Master of Public Administration program faculty at Texas State in 1978. She has taught public finance, public sector economics, introduction to public administration, public policy, statistics and a variety of research methods courses. Her students have been recognized for their research by national awards, presentations and publications. Shields has received numerous teaching awards including the Leslie Whittington Teaching Award from the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (2002) and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching.

"I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Pat Shields to the 2019 class of fellows,” said NAPA President and CEO Terry Gerton. “Our fellows are nationally recognized for their expertise and contributions to the field of public administration, and Dr. Shields is no exception. The 2019 class is an outstanding group that will enrich our fellowship, especially as we unveil the grand challenges in public administration and collaborate across the field to find solutions."

Selection of NAPA's new fellows follows a rigorous review of the individual's contributions to the field of public administration and policy. A nominating committee makes its recommendations to the full fellowship, which then votes on individuals to be elected. The 2019 class joins more than 900 NAPA fellows – including former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors and state legislators, as well as prominent scholars, business executives and public administrators. 

NAPA was founded in 1967 and is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization focused on analyzing emerging trends in governance and public administration. Though NAPA's funding comes primarily from studies that are congressionally requested or mandated, it is not considered a government agency.