Fels Institute of Government
Encyclopedia
The Fels Institute of Government is the University of Pennsylvania
’s graduate program in public policy and public management. Its practical approach to public management education, its Ivy League pedigree and its relatively small size make it one of the nation's leading boutique programs in public affairs . The Institute was founded in 1937 by Samuel Simeon Fels
of the Fels Naptha Soap Company
in response to a wave of corruption and mismanagement in Pennsylvania government . Originally established for the purpose of training local government officials, over time Fels broadened its mission; it now prepares its students for public leadership positions in city, state, and Federal agencies, elective politics, nonprofit organizations, and private firms with close connections to the public sector. Its 2,000 living alumni work in leadership roles across the US and around the world . As of August, 2008 the Executive Director of the Fels Institute is David Thornburgh
, a long-time civic and business leader in the Philadelphia region and son of Attorney General and former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh
.
Fels is housed in the charming former Samuel Fels residence on the west end of the University of Pennsylvania’s campus, located in the University City area of Philadelphia. The University City neighborhood is compact and walkable . It features world-renowned centers for education, health, and technology . As one of the most diverse areas in Philadelphia, University City has a wide range of multicultural restaurants, cafes, and shopping choices .
, Fels is one of the most selective public affairs programs in the United States. However, despite the program's selectivity, pedigree, and longstanding reputation in the Philadelphia region, Fels has only recently begun to attract attention and students from outside of the Northeast .
Fels offers a Master’s degree in Public Administration in both a full-time and executive (part-time) formats. Fels also offers 5-course certificates in Economic Development and Growth, Nonprofit Administration, Politics, and Public Finance. Students can also take advantage of dual degree options, including the JD/MGA degree in conjunction with the Penn Law School, and MBA/MPA with the Wharton School, and MEd/MPA through the School of Education. Fels' proximity to Washington and New York, four state capitals (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delftware and Maryland) and five big cities makes it a natural crossroad for a diverse range of public leaders . Past speakers have included Senator Arlen Specter
; Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Aqua America CEO Nick DeBenedictis http://www.philadelphiausa.travel/press-room/press-kits/nick-debenedictis-board-chairman/, Scott Gordon, CEO of Mastery Charter Schools http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20091001_Mastery_charter_schools_aim_to_transform_education.html;, Martin Luther King III, CEO of MLK Center in Atlanta, Arlene Ackerman
, CEO, School District of Philadelphia.http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/ceo/ackerman/biography.html; and E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post Columnist E.J. Dionne, Kimmel Center CEO Anne Ewers, and long-time PA State Representative Dwight Evans.
Courses include: Policy Development, Performance Management, Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations, Ancient and Modern Constitutionmaking, Leadership and Politics, Dealing With the Media, Public Finance Investment Banking, The Politics of Housing and Community Development, Lobbying, State Elective Politics, and Foundations and Grant Management.
Faculty members include:
At Fels, students experience and practice the institute’s public service mission by conducting research and providing consulting services for government and nonprofit entities . Fels projects enable to put into practice the skills and theories they learn in the classroom while gaining real-word experience; and by partnering with external organizations, Fels projects bring the intellectual capacity of the University to bear on the challenges facing public and nonprofit organizations .
Recent Projects (2008)
The Fels Institute's active research and consulting program distinguishes it as a top-notch "think and do" tank . Fels projects bring Fels staff, alumni, and students together to tackle tough public problems . Recent Fels projects include:
The Fels Performance Action Team, a group of students, staff, and faculty, worked with the City of Philadelphia to transform data-driven leadership into tangible results through its PhillyStat and Budgeting for Outcomes initiatives.
The Pennsylvania Leadership Academy supported Pennsylvania state government officials in identifying and implementing performance-based management strategies.
The Neighborhood Change Project revisited and assessd the current condition of 533 formerly vacant properties in Southwest Center City Philadelphia, providing insight into the process of neighborhood change.
MyVote1 National Election Report (Christopher Patusky, Allison Brummel, & Timothy Schmidt, August 2007): Summarizes the results of the 2006 MyVote1 National Election Hotline project.
The Philadelphia SchoolStat Model (Leigh Botwinik, Christopher Patusky, Mary Shelley, 2007): Describes how the Compstat and CitiStat models were adapted for the Philadelphia School District, what performance improvements occurred after implementation, and which features of the approach seemed to be the biggest contributors to improvement.
"Making the Most of Social Media" (Chris Kingsley, Allison Brummel, Catharine Lamb, & Jack Higgins, 2009): Discusses the growth of Social Media over the past several years, including the challenges associated with adopting them for public use - legal, practical and political, and distills the experience of cities who have done this both more and less effectively into seven suggestions that cover the full cycle of adoption, from pre-planning to self-evaluation.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
’s graduate program in public policy and public management. Its practical approach to public management education, its Ivy League pedigree and its relatively small size make it one of the nation's leading boutique programs in public affairs . The Institute was founded in 1937 by Samuel Simeon Fels
Samuel Simeon Fels
Samuel Simeon Fels was an American businessman and philanthropist.Early in Samuel's life his family relocated to Philadelphia, where Samuel's older brother Joseph Fels founded a soap manufacturing company, Fels & Co. Samuel became the company's first president, a post which he held until his death...
of the Fels Naptha Soap Company
Fels-Naptha
Fels-Naptha is a brand of bar laundry soap used for pre-treating stains on clothing and as a home remedy for exposure to poison ivy and other skin irritants. Fels-Naptha is manufactured by and is a trademark of the Dial Corporation.-Use:...
in response to a wave of corruption and mismanagement in Pennsylvania government . Originally established for the purpose of training local government officials, over time Fels broadened its mission; it now prepares its students for public leadership positions in city, state, and Federal agencies, elective politics, nonprofit organizations, and private firms with close connections to the public sector. Its 2,000 living alumni work in leadership roles across the US and around the world . As of August, 2008 the Executive Director of the Fels Institute is David Thornburgh
David Thornburgh
David Thornburgh is Executive Director of the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Institute of Government and a frequent commentator on regional development and civic affairs. He has been recognized by Leadership Philadelphia as one of the most trusted and respected civic "connectors" in the...
, a long-time civic and business leader in the Philadelphia region and son of Attorney General and former Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh
Dick Thornburgh
Richard Lewis "Dick" Thornburgh is an American lawyer and Republican politician who served as the 41st Governor of Pennsylvania from 1979 to 1987, and then as the U.S...
.
Fels is housed in the charming former Samuel Fels residence on the west end of the University of Pennsylvania’s campus, located in the University City area of Philadelphia. The University City neighborhood is compact and walkable . It features world-renowned centers for education, health, and technology . As one of the most diverse areas in Philadelphia, University City has a wide range of multicultural restaurants, cafes, and shopping choices .
Academics
The Fels Institute's program combines the rigor of an Ivy League education with a practical approach necessary to achieve results . According to Peterson'sPeterson's
Peterson’s, founded in 1966, is an American company offering a wide range of live, print, and online products and services including test preparation, school searches, financial aid searches, career exploration tools, and professional writing services...
, Fels is one of the most selective public affairs programs in the United States. However, despite the program's selectivity, pedigree, and longstanding reputation in the Philadelphia region, Fels has only recently begun to attract attention and students from outside of the Northeast .
Fels offers a Master’s degree in Public Administration in both a full-time and executive (part-time) formats. Fels also offers 5-course certificates in Economic Development and Growth, Nonprofit Administration, Politics, and Public Finance. Students can also take advantage of dual degree options, including the JD/MGA degree in conjunction with the Penn Law School, and MBA/MPA with the Wharton School, and MEd/MPA through the School of Education. Fels' proximity to Washington and New York, four state capitals (Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delftware and Maryland) and five big cities makes it a natural crossroad for a diverse range of public leaders . Past speakers have included Senator Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter
Arlen Specter is a former United States Senator from Pennsylvania. Specter is a Democrat, but was a Republican from 1965 until switching to the Democratic Party in 2009...
; Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter; Aqua America CEO Nick DeBenedictis http://www.philadelphiausa.travel/press-room/press-kits/nick-debenedictis-board-chairman/, Scott Gordon, CEO of Mastery Charter Schools http://www.philly.com/inquirer/education/20091001_Mastery_charter_schools_aim_to_transform_education.html;, Martin Luther King III, CEO of MLK Center in Atlanta, Arlene Ackerman
Arlene Ackerman (educator)
Arlene C. Ackerman, Ed. D. is an educator who was the former superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District and the former superintendent of Philadelphia Public Schools..-Washington, D.C.:Ackerman was superintendent of the D.C...
, CEO, School District of Philadelphia.http://www.phila.k12.pa.us/offices/ceo/ackerman/biography.html; and E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post Columnist E.J. Dionne, Kimmel Center CEO Anne Ewers, and long-time PA State Representative Dwight Evans.
The MPA Degree
The MPA is a 12-course program designed to provide a broad-based education that prepares students to move within and between government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private firms engaging in public sector work. The curriculum develops core competencies in analysis, management, finance, and politics that are applicable to different contexts . Eight core courses cover the fundamentals of effective public administration, developing competencies in analysis, management, finance and politics. Four elective courses give students the opportunity to apply the skills and theories introduced in the core courses to a particular policy topic or sector.Courses
Courses at Fels are divided into four categories: politics, economic development and growth, nonprofit administration, and public finance. A Fels certificate can be earned in any of these areas; or students who wish for broader training can take classes from multiple areas.Courses include: Policy Development, Performance Management, Fundraising for Nonprofit Organizations, Ancient and Modern Constitutionmaking, Leadership and Politics, Dealing With the Media, Public Finance Investment Banking, The Politics of Housing and Community Development, Lobbying, State Elective Politics, and Foundations and Grant Management.
Faculty
The Fels curriculum is anchored by outstanding faculty who bring to the classroom their experience as leaders and change agents within the public sphere . The MGA program’s small class size enables instructors to get to know students personally and to provide advice regarding course selection or career opportunities for students seeking such support during their time at Fels .Faculty members include:
- Hon. Edward G. Rendell: Former Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Marjorie Margolies-MezvinskyMarjorie Margolies-MezvinskyMarjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and a women's right activist. She is a former journalist and a former politician for the Democratic Party. From 1993 to 1995 she was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing...
: CEO, Women’s Campaign International; Former Member of Congress - Lee Nunery: Acting Superintendent, Philadelphia School District
- James F. Kenney: Councilman at Large, City of Philadelphia http://jameskenney.com/
- Stephen Mullin: Senior Vice President, Econsult Corporation; Former Philadelphia City Finance Director
- Eric Costello Neiderman: Manager, Cargo Security Research & Development, Transportation Security Administration, Dept. of Homeland Security https://www.fels.upenn.edu/person/eric-c-neiderman
- Wayne A. Smith: President and CEO, Delaware Healthcare Association; former House Majority Leader, Delaware General Assembly
The Fels Approach: “Leadership for Results”
The entire Fels experience is centered around its aim of educating leaders to produce results that matter to citizens . Fels students benefit from being in a small graduate program within a much larger Ivy League university. The Institute has approximately 140 students in its full-time and executive programs . Students work in small cohorts of about 35 students, making for a vibrant, close-knit community of scholars to work with and learn from . Students also receive a high level of personal attention from staff and faculty, who get to know their interests and strengths well .At Fels, students experience and practice the institute’s public service mission by conducting research and providing consulting services for government and nonprofit entities . Fels projects enable to put into practice the skills and theories they learn in the classroom while gaining real-word experience; and by partnering with external organizations, Fels projects bring the intellectual capacity of the University to bear on the challenges facing public and nonprofit organizations .
Recent Projects (2008)
The Fels Institute's active research and consulting program distinguishes it as a top-notch "think and do" tank . Fels projects bring Fels staff, alumni, and students together to tackle tough public problems . Recent Fels projects include:
The Fels Performance Action Team, a group of students, staff, and faculty, worked with the City of Philadelphia to transform data-driven leadership into tangible results through its PhillyStat and Budgeting for Outcomes initiatives.
The Pennsylvania Leadership Academy supported Pennsylvania state government officials in identifying and implementing performance-based management strategies.
The Neighborhood Change Project revisited and assessd the current condition of 533 formerly vacant properties in Southwest Center City Philadelphia, providing insight into the process of neighborhood change.
Fels Alumni
- Ted Gaebler: Co-author of national bestseller “Reinventing Government”
- Wilson Goode: First African-American Mayor of Philadelphia (1984–1992)
- Matthew Gallagher '97: Chief of Staff, Governor of Maryland Martin J. O’Malley
- George M. LeaderGeorge M. LeaderGeorge Michael Leader served as the 36th Governor of Pennsylvania from January 18, 1955 until January 20, 1959. He is a member of the Democratic Party, and a native of York County, Pennsylvania. Currently he is the only person from that county ever to be elected governor of the state.-Early...
: Former Governor of Pennsylvania - Jennifer Beck: New Jersey State Senator, Represents the 12th legislative district
- Chaka FattahChaka FattahChaka Fattah is the U.S. representative for , serving since 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party...
'86: US Congressman - Richard Steffens '88: US Diplomat and author & lyricist for the Carnegie Hall production "Mother Russia."
- Rob WonderlingRob WonderlingRobert C. Wonderling was a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who represented the 24th District from 2003 to 2009. The district he represented includes portions of Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh and Northampton Counties and includes the population centers of Easton, Lansdale, and Emmaus...
'91: Former Pennsylvania State Senator and current President and CEO of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce - Stephen DiltsStephen DiltsStephen Dilts is a former Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation , having been sworn in to the post on December 16, 2008 and leaving that position early in 2010...
'96: New Jersey Transportation Commissioner - Peter Brown '99: Professor at the University of Minnesota and author of "America's Waterfront Revival Port Authorities and Urban Redevelopment."
- Richard Keevey: Former Director of the Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School's Research Institute on the Region
- Michael MaschMichael MaschMichael J. Masch is a former Pennsylvania Secretary of the Budget. He is a graduate of the Fels Institute of Government . He also served as Secretary of Administration from 2004-2005. he resigned in 2008....
: Chief Business Officer of the School District of Philadelphia - Anna Shapoval '04: Country Director, Doctors of the World - Kiev, Ukraine http://www.fulbright.org.ua/shapoval.html
- Greg Walker '05: Policy and Planning Officer, Sound Transit
- Ed DeSeve '71: Senior Adviser for Recovery Act Implementation to President Obama
- Robert Bittenbender '98: Former Budget Secretary under Governors Tom Ridge, Mark Schweiker and Dick Thornburgh, and former executive director of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
- Rob Powelson '03: Commissioner, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
- Donna CooperDonna CooperDonna Cooper was Pennsylvania Secretary of Planning and Policy and was a member of the cabinet of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.Cooper worked for Good Schools Pennsylvania, an advocacy organization for public schools. She first began working for Ed Rendell as Deputy Mayor for Policy and Planning...
'87: Senior Fellow,Center for American Progress,and former Pennsylvania Secretary of Policy and Planning - David ByermanDavid ByermanDavid Byerman is the 40th Secretary of the Senate for the Nevada Senate. He was appointed by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford on August 18, 2010 and was then unanimously elected by the full Nevada Senate on February 7, 2011.-Biography:...
'95, Secretary of the Senate of the Nevada SenateNevada SenateThe Nevada Senate is the upper house of the Nevada Legislature, the state legislature of U.S. state of Nevada. The Senate consists of 21 members from 19 districts, two of which are multimember. Each senator represented approximately 94,700 people as of the 2000 census, although 2006 Census Bureau... - Richard Smith '91: Acting Assistant Deputy Secretary of Education
- Jeffrey Krilla '96: Former Deputy Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor
- Joseph A. Esposito '06: Former Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education
Fels Publications
Vacant Property Reclamation and Neighborhood Change in Southwest Center City Philadelphia (July 2008): Details the current status of vacant properties surveyed in 1998 to better understand the changing neighborhood.MyVote1 National Election Report (Christopher Patusky, Allison Brummel, & Timothy Schmidt, August 2007): Summarizes the results of the 2006 MyVote1 National Election Hotline project.
The Philadelphia SchoolStat Model (Leigh Botwinik, Christopher Patusky, Mary Shelley, 2007): Describes how the Compstat and CitiStat models were adapted for the Philadelphia School District, what performance improvements occurred after implementation, and which features of the approach seemed to be the biggest contributors to improvement.
"Making the Most of Social Media" (Chris Kingsley, Allison Brummel, Catharine Lamb, & Jack Higgins, 2009): Discusses the growth of Social Media over the past several years, including the challenges associated with adopting them for public use - legal, practical and political, and distills the experience of cities who have done this both more and less effectively into seven suggestions that cover the full cycle of adoption, from pre-planning to self-evaluation.