In spring 2025, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs changed its name to the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), a name that reflects its commitment to welcoming and preparing students at every stage of their academic and professional journeys.
“We’ve found that undergraduate students are increasingly motivated by opportunities in public and international affairs,” says Carissa Slotterback, dean of SPIA. “By engaging with students earlier, we’re helping them build the foundational skills of leadership and public service that are needed now more than ever.”
With the introduction of a Bachelor of Arts in public policy, SPIA is opening up new ways for students to begin their research and scholarship journeys during their undergraduate careers. Students will have the chance to participate in internships, fellowships, research opportunities and community-based projects.
One example of undergraduate research is the Policy and Social Impact Fellows Program, a cocurricular experience designed exclusively for undergraduate students. Under the guidance of experienced mentors, fellows apply their knowledge and skills to address real community and organizational needs. The program also encourages fellows to reflect on their experiences, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and a lifelong commitment to community engagement.
“We embrace a future that expands our mission, deepens our impact and invites even more students to shape the world with us.”
One of these projects revolves around fire preparedness in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Students worked with the Congress of Neighboring Communities—known as CONNECT—to identify challenges that firefighters and municipalities face due to the growth of new technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and lithium-ion batteries. They found that despite the low risk of emergencies associated with these new technologies, the lack of standardized training and policy poses a large risk.
By emphasizing research opportunities at the undergraduate level, SPIA is helping to build a community-led research enterprise to better the world around us.
“This is not just a name evolution, it’s a milestone in our journey,” Slotterback says. “We embrace a future that expands our mission, deepens our impact and invites even more students to shape the world with us.”