2026 NASPAA Regional Conference
Look Back
Call for Proposals
The Call for Proposals was open from February 17 to April 1st with decisions announced on April 15. Learn more about submitting a proposal
Dates
May 24- 25, 2026 | Santiago, Chile
Photos
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Conference Theme & Tracks
Emerging Leaders, Enduring Values: Educating for Public Service in Times of Uncertainty | Liderazgos emergentes, valores perdurables: formar para el servicio público en tiempos de incertidumbre
Hosted in Santiago, Chile, by the Faculty of Government at the University of Chile, this regional conference brings together emerging and established leaders to explore ways to strengthen public service education across diverse institutional and cultural contexts.
Grounded in the theme Emerging Leaders, Enduring Values: Educating for Public Service in Times of Uncertainty (Liderazgos emergentes, valores perdurables: formar para el servicio público en tiempos de incertidumbre), the conference centers on the realities facing public service programs, navigating institutional complexity, resource constraints, and evolving public expectations, while celebrating the strengths, traditions, and leadership approaches unique to the region.
Focused on supporting rising and current program leaders across diverse regional institutional contexts. Topics include:
- Succession planning and onboarding for new MPA/MPP directors
- Research and publication opportunities for doctoral students and early-career faculty
- Leadership tools for conflict management
- Responding to internal and external stakeholders
Centered on sustainability, adaptation, and innovation in public service programs, especially in complex or resource‑constrained settings. Topics include:
- Supporting programs facing enrollment, staffing, or funding challenges
- Shared course models and hybrid/online teaching collaborations across countries
- Innovative approaches to building, participating, and sustaining academic networks across countries
- Mentoring faculty to meet academic demands for promotion in resource-constrained settings
Embodying the human‑centered values that characterize public service traditions across Latin America and the region. Topics include:
- Educating for equity and institutional transformation in contexts of inequality and democratic strain
- Empathy as a core leadership competency in applied public service education
- Institutional cultures of care, inclusion, and well-being in public service schools
- Re-centering latin american perspectives in public administration education and public values
- Equity-centered leadership pathways: gender, diversity, and representation across sectors
Emphasizing communication as a vital tool for strengthening connection, legitimacy, and public service education across diverse communities.
Topics include:
- Storytelling and narrative approaches that honor the diverse voices, histories, and identities across Latin America and the broader region
- Digital outreach strategies that reflect community priorities and demonstrate meaningful impact
- Building trust and transparency through culturally grounded and relationship‑centered engagement practices
Speaker FAQ:
- How much total time is allocated per session? 1 hour and 30 minutes for presentations and audience Q&A
- Is there a preferred structure for the panel? We recommend coordinating with your panelists to determine the best structure; speakers are at liberty to divide the time as needed.
- How can I present my slides? Slides are optional, though recommended. Breakout rooms are equipped with a computer, projector, and screen. Presenters may log into their email or an online storage tool like Dropbox or Google Drive to pull up the presentation on the provided computer, or connect a personal computer via HDMI or USB. There is an on-site team to assist.
Thank you to the Conference Program Committee!
Co-Chairs:
Sara Rinfret — College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Northern Arizona University
Luis Garrido Vergara — Faculty of Government, University of Chile
Members:
Susan Appe — Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany
Nicolas Osvaldo Didier Pino — Faculty of Government, University of Chile
Angela Nichols-Paez — College of Public Service, Tennessee State University
Ulises Perezcano Ramírez — Escuela de Gobierno y Transformación Pública
Ariel Marcelo Ramirez — Faculty of Government, University of Chile
Karina Retamal — Faculty of Government, University of Chile
