Bush School of Government and Public Service

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The Bush School of Government and Public Service is a graduate college of Texas A&M University founded in 1997 under former US President George H. W. Bush's philosophy that "public service is a noble calling."^[1] Since then, the Bush School has continued to reflect that notion in curriculum, research, and student experience and has become a leading public and international affairs graduate institution. The school offers graduate degrees in Public Service and Administration and in International Affairs, while also providing certificates in graduate programs that are completed online and through local continuing education opportunities. The Bush School is located adjacent to the George Bush Presidential Library on the West Campus of Texas A&M University.

According to U.S. News & World Report, The Bush School ranks in the top 10 percent of public affairs programs and is ranked 20th overall among public affairs graduate schools in the United States.^[2] The Master in International Affairs degree is one of just 33 member programs recognized by the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.^{[citation needed]} In 2015, it was ranked as one of the top 25 international relations graduate programs in the world by Foreign Policy.^[3] The Master of Public Service and Administration degree is fully accredited by the National Association of Public Affairs and Administration.^[4] The Bush School offers financial aid to 100% of its full-time students.^[5] It was selected by the Robertson Foundation for the prestigious Robertson Fellowship Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship for students dedicated to government service.^[6]

Background[]

The George Bush Presidential Library was established in 1997 on 90 acres (36 ha; 0.14 sq mi) of land donated by Texas A&M at the western edge of the campus. At that time, The George Bush School of Government and Public Service was established to coincide with the opening of the library. While the school was officially launched in 1997, it became an independent college within the university in 2000.^[7] The school has established three research institutes on campus, to conduct public policy-oriented research to assist domestic and global economies. These institutes include the Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy; the Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs; and the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy.^[8] On May 4, 2020, the Bush School announced that they planned to open a new teaching site based in Washington D.C.^[9]

The Bush School was named in honor of former US President George H. W. Bush. He has been involved in providing direction in the organization by helping bring noted professors, as well as individuals from the public and private sectors to the campus. Visitors have included Ban Ki-moon, Mikhail Gorbachev, Ted Kennedy, Barack Obama, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Helmut Kohl, Peter Orszag, Mitt Romney, Mike Krzyzewski, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, Condoleezza Rice, Karl Rove, Andrew Card, Dan Quayle, Antonin Scalia, Ryan Crocker, Michael Mullen, Sean Hannity, Jeb Bush, and Jiang Zemin.^[10]

Degree Programs[]

The Bush School offers four graduate programs for students aspiring to careers in public service. Degrees in Public Service and Administration, International Affairs, and International Policy, as well as an online Executive Public Service and Administration develop principled leaders for professional careers in public service. The Bush School also offers graduate certificates in Advanced International Affairs, Homeland Security, Nonprofit Management, and Public Management. The Bush School has joined with several Texas A&M departments to offer seven Bachelor’s/Master’s 5-Year (3+2) Programs that allow students to enter the Bush School at the beginning of their fourth year and receive both their undergraduate and master’s degrees in five years.^[11]

The George H.W. Bush Statue stands within the courtyard between the Allen Building, Annenberg Conference Center and the Bush Memorial and Museum.

Research Institutes[]

Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy[]

The Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy was initially established as the Center for Public Leadership Studies (CPLS). As The Bush School's academic programs continued to grow, the educational portion of CPLS transitioned to an institute in the fall of 2000. The Institute for Science, Technology and Public Policy focuses on interdisciplinary research, development, implementation, and dissemination of the results of studies within the Texas A&M University System, as well as domestically and throughout the world.^[12] The current director of ISTPP is Dr. Kent Portney.^[13]

The Institute examines state, federal, and international public policy issues, while also reviewing political and societal concerns encompassing policies governing environmental and natural resources, health care, infrastructure and the built environment, and developing and recognizing emerging technologies. Since 2000, the Institute has attracted over $15 million in competitive funding from federal and state agencies and has partnered with researchers from US and international universities, government agencies, and research centers.^[12]

Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs[]

The Scowcroft Institute of International Affairs was established in 2007, named in honor of Brent Scowcroft, retired US Air Force Lieutenant General and National Security Advisor for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush. The Institute focuses on assessing, addressing, and presenting policy-oriented research on international affairs. They support the school through hosting educational conferences and providing opportunities for researchers to access the Bush Library.^[14] The current director of the Scowcroft Institute is Andrew Natsios, former USAID director.^[15]

Biosecurity[]

In March 2017, Scowcroft head professor Andrew Natsios along with other researchers wrote a Scowcroft Institute white paper, “The Growing Threats of Pandemics: Enhancing Domestic and International Biosecurity." It called for a greater sense of urgency from the dozens of government leaders whose jobs pertain to international health security and biodefense. Natsios said, “The growing threat of emerging infectious diseases with pandemic potential, as well as the real threat of bioterrorism, demand more focused leadership attention to overcome barriers to real progress.”^[16]

In order to maintain the highest degree of safety for public health, the white paper called for consolidated leadership and a plan supported by a suitable budget and accountability, mirroring the Congress-approved pandemic influenza emergency supplemental request of 2005, which strengthened preparation for health crises. In presenting a choice between attacking disease outbreaks at their sources or simply waiting to take action until the problem reaches the shores of the United States, Natsios and the Institute advocate for a proactive plan of international cooperation. Natsios said, “Despite the hard work of many in public health, emergency management and foreign assistance… the United States and the international community are not prepared and we remain vulnerable.” The Scowcroft Institute asserts that a lack of meaningful action on biosecurity is a grave mistake.^[16]

Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy[]

The Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics, and Public Policy, was established in October 2009 in honor of Robert Mosbacher, who had served as the US Secretary of Commerce during George H. W. Bush's presidency. The organization performs research to offer solutions in policy and economic challenges prevalent both domestically and throughout the world.^[17] The current director of the Mosbacher Institute is Dr. Lori Taylor.^[18]

Student Learning Center at the Bush School where students gather to study and work on projects

Washington, DC Teaching Site[]

The Bush School’s vision to inspire excellence in the noble calling of public service expanded with the opening of the Washington, D.C. Teaching Site. Classes commenced in early 2021, with the teaching site offering instruction toward the Master of International Policy (MIP) degree, a 30-credit-hour, non-thesis program. The Master of International Policy (MIP) degree aims to strengthen students’ ability to understand complex issues through rigorous coursework. Well-published scholars and seasoned practitioners from federal agencies lead in-depth classroom discussions, collaborate on research, and mentor students in and out of the classroom. The program expands students’ worldview and prepares them to advance their careers in international affairs.^[19]

Bush School Dean Mark Welsh announced the appointment of Jay B. Silveria as the Executive Director of the Washington, DC Teaching Site on Sept. 24, 2020.^[20]

Student organizations[]

• MSC Student Conference on National Affairs
• Student Government Association^[21]
• Public Service Organization
• Bushwhacker Athletics
• Foreign Language & Culture Society
• Alexander Hamilton Society
• Ambassadors Council^[22]

Deans[]

• Robert M. Gates, 1999–2001
• Richard Chilcoat, 2001–2008
• A. Benton Cocanougher, 2009 (interim dean)
• Ryan Crocker 2010–2016^[23] (In 2011, Crocker went on extended leave due to his appointment as United States Ambassador to Afghanistan; he returned in 2013.)^[24]
• Andrew Card, 2011–2013 (acting dean)^[24]
• Mark Welsh, 2016-present

Accreditation[]

• The Master of Public Service and Administration program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration.
• The Master of International Affairs program is one of thirty-nine full members of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

Rankings[]

• 1st in the nation for best value for residential MPA, Value Colleges, 2020 ^[25]
• 1st in the nation for best value for executive online MPA, Value Colleges, 2020 ^[26]
• Top 12% in Public Affairs Programs, U.S. News & World Report, 2020 ^[27]
• 5th among public universities and 26th in the nation for its International Affairs program, Foreign Policy, 2018 ^[28]
• 5th among public universities and 10th in the nation for its Homeland Security and Emergency Management program, U.S. News & World Report, 2020 ^[29]
• 13th among public universities and 18th in the nation for its Nonprofit Management program, U.S. News & World Report, 2020 ^[30]
• 20th among public universities for its Public Affairs program, U.S. News & World Report, 20 ^[31]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Bush School of Government and Public Service.

• Official website

Coordinates: 30°35′52″N 96°21′08″W / 30.5977°N 96.3522°W / 30.5977; -96.3522