Dr. John Bartle Assumes Presidency of the American Society for Public Administration
Congratulations to Dr. John Bartle, President of the American Society for Public Administration. ASPA is made of more than 8,000 practitioners, academicians, and students.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, April, 2025
Washington, D.C. – John Bartle, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) School of Public Administration, has officially assumed the role of President of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). A leader in public administration, Bartle brings decades of experience in budgeting, financial management, and governance to this position.
In his inaugural address on April 1, delivered at ASPA’s annual conference in Washington, D.C., Bartle emphasized the critical role of public administration in today’s turbulent political and international climate.
"Today, we stand in our nation’s capital during the most important and historic time for American government since 1861. Our international relations, political system, and public administration are all in turmoil. But it is precisely during such times that our commitment to the pillars of ASPA—efficiency, economy, effectiveness, and equity—becomes most critical."
Bartle, who is the past Dean of UNO’s College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS), has made significant contributions to public finance and budgeting theory and practice. He teaches and does research on transportation, public policy analysis, public budgeting, local government fiscal management practices, and sustainable development. Bartle’s research has been used by state and local governments to inform their decision-making processes on various fiscal issues.
According to Bartle, "The science of administration is just as important as natural and physical sciences. Flying an airplane without an air traffic control system invites disaster. Not preparing for natural and human disasters leads to destruction and chaos."
As ASPA celebrates its 86th year, Bartle reaffirmed the organization's mission to advance public administration through research, education, and professional development. "We have never fully achieved the goals set forth in the Declaration of Independence—political equality, natural rights, and the sovereignty of the people. But striving for them is what makes our nation great. Our goal is not to go back to the past, but to move forward."
"The scientific and ethical advances nurtured by ASPA will continue. We are a key producer, storehouse, and curator of this knowledge, and we must, and will, continue to advance it. Let us move forward. Let us be guided by the light of progress. And let us walk out of the shadow of despotism and oppression and into the bright sunshine of democracy and equality."
About John Bartle
John Bartle, Ph.D., is a distinguished professor of Public Administration at UNO. He has been at UNO since 1994, served as dean of CPACS from 2011 – 2024; and lead several academic initiatives. He has served as chair of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM), and the Section on Transportation Policy and Administration (STPA) of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). Bartle was elected as a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration in 2010 and served as treasurer. He received two major awards from ASPA sections: the Aaron Wildavsky Award from ABFM for lifetime achievement in budgeting and fiscal management and the Truitt-Felbinger Award from STPA for significant contributions to the field of transportation policy and administration. He has co-authored or edited four books: Innovative Infrastructure Finance: A Guide for State and Local Governments; Management Policies in Local Government Finance; Sustainable Development for Public Administration; and Evolving Theories of Public Budgeting.
Bartle has also published 70 articles and book chapters in both academic and practitioner outlets, including Public Administration Review; Public Budgeting & Finance; State and Local Government Review; Public Administration; Sustainability; and Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. Bartle’s research has been used by state and local governments to inform their decision-making processes on various fiscal issues. He has worked with the Nebraska Legislature to provide policy advice for over ten years.
Bartle earned his bachelor’s degree from Swarthmore College, his MPA from the University of Texas, and his Ph.D. from Ohio State University. He received the honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the State University of New York in 2016. He worked in city and state government in Minnesota and for state and national nonprofit research organizations on tax policy issues.
About ASPA
According to Bartle, "ASPA, as an independent, financially sound organization, open to all, and dedicated to the improvement of governance, stands at the center during this historic moment ready to help achieve the idea of the United States of America."
Since 1939, ASPA has been the nation's most respected society representing all forums in the public service arena. It is an advocate for greater effectiveness in government, agents of goodwill and professionalism, publishers of democratic journalism at its very best, purveyors of progressive theory and practice and providers of global citizenship. ASPA leaders believe that by embracing new ideas, addressing key public service issues, and promoting change at the local, federal, and international levels, the society can enhance the quality of lives worldwide.
ASPA is the largest and most prominent broadly based professional association in American public administration. It has a diverse membership of approximately 8,000 practitioners, academicians, and students. ASPA serves as the principal arena for linking theory and practice within the field of public administration.
Reaffirming ASPA’s commitment to democratic values, Bartle cited historian Jill Lepore’s analysis of the Declaration of Independence. "We have never fully achieved the goals of political equality, natural rights, and sovereignty of the people. But striving for them is what makes our nation great. The goal is not to go back to the past but to move forward."
About ASPA Nebraska
Please see updated information here about the Nebraska Chapter. A Meetup is planned May 2, 2025.