Jeffrey Straussman
Dean
Rockefeller College

The Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany is proud to be among the top schools of public affairs in the country according to U.S. News and World Report.   Our mission is to prepare students so that they can contribute to public service in a myriad of ways—as citizens, as professionals and as future educators.  We do this through a series of undergraduate and graduate degree programs and our graduates work in the public, private and non-profit sectors both in the United States and abroad.  Alumni of our doctoral programs in political science and public administration are on the faculties of universities and colleges throughout the country.

The College continues the legacy of Governor Rockefeller by emphasizing research that matters—focusing on many of the pressing issues such as educational reform, immigration, homeland security and terrorism, some of the most pressing public policy challenges in the 21st century.  Since the College is in the capitol of one of the largest seats of government in the United States, we naturally also emphasize enduring topics such as federalism, intergovernmental relations and state and local government.   This is accomplished by research activities of faculty and staff, regularly scheduled seminars and speaker series and professional outreach to governmental agencies, the legislature and non-profit organizations.

Rockefeller College is the home of the Professional Development Program (PDP), one of the most successful and enduring continuing education programs in the nation.  PDP, through its lifelong learning programs, supports the mission of Rockefeller College in several ways.  First, PDP is widely recognized for the excellence of its programs that have served public employees in the State of New York for over three decades.  Second, PDP serves as a bridge between the world of academia and the world of practice by providing a natural laboratory where new ideas can be tested with dedicated public employees who are on the front lines of government.  Third, PDP provides the College with the vehicle to implement a strong service commitment to public service which is shared broadly by other units that are part the University at Albany.  Finally, PDP is at the forefront of innovate practice that prepares public servants to make a difference by enriching the lives of those they serve.

Eugene J. Monaco
Executive Director and Public Service Professor

During the past 30 years, the Professional Development Program has established a highly regarded reputation of excellence in the field of continuing professional education. Having the privilege to serve as the executive director of this vibrant program, remains both an exciting and challenging opportunity. I take enormous pride in the numerous kudos we receive regarding our many program accomplishments. Our ongoing pursuit of excellence in providing high quality state-of-the art education and training programs for public and not-for-profit agencies and their employees is a goal that we constantly strive to achieve.

Addressing the ever-changing needs of this audience remains demanding. It has made us keep pace with the ongoing and rapid changes that frequently occur in the public policy arena such as dealing with shifting government regulations, responding to the impact of changing workplace demographics, understanding the influence of information technology in the workplace, and being aware of the importance of the continuous explosion of new knowledge. The cornerstone of our success has been our ability to fully understand and speak to the implications of each of these.

Together with the resources that a rich research university makes available, we’ve been able to partner with many of the schools in the university to provide the very best thinking and knowledge available while meeting the practice needs of our varied customers.

In working with PDP, you will find a highly motivated and well qualified professional staff that are always willing to extend themselves to meet your specific program requirements.

I invite you to further explore our web site to learn more about the rich history of PDP and how we may be of service to you.