Truman School of Government and Public Affairs

For the past two years, Master of Public Administration (MPA) students at the Truman School have had the unique opportunity to engage directly with public affairs professionals through a recurring luncheon series called “Insightful Bites”. This interactive event allows students to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world application, providing firsthand exposure to the complexities of public service.

Introducing Yeilim Cheong, Expert in Korean Politics and Democratic Transitions

For anyone considering studying abroad, the experience is often accompanied by a mix of excitement and apprehension. As someone traveling outside my home country of Mauritania for the first time, I shared this sentiment. However, my concerns quickly dissipated upon arriving in Columbia, where I found a welcoming and supportive environment at the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs. From the outset, the community of staff and students made me feel at home, offering assistance in settling down and guiding me to the numerous campus resources available.

The Truman School offered a new course this semester as part of a broader initiative to foster constructive dialogue among students with different political views. The course, Democracy, Pluralism, and Civil Discourse, focuses on the foundations of pluralism in the United States’ political system and provides students with a structured environment to practice civil discourse with their peers. In addition to offering foundational perspectives for the value of open dialogue and viewpoint diversity, students tackle some of the most controversial issues in U.S.

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Rebecca Fallon, an academic advisor at the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, has received the University of Missouri’s inaugural First-Generation Faculty/Staff Champion Award, presented by the First-Generation Student Success Standing Advisory Board. This award celebrates faculty and staff who demonstrate a commitment to first-generation student success through mentorship, advocacy, and leadership in first-generation initiatives on campus.

Columbia, MO – The Volcker Alliance launched the Service to Service initiative, a partnership with We the Veterans to help schools of public service connect veterans and military families with public service education pathways and propel them into stable and impactful careers in public leadership.

As a Fulbright student researcher, Aryanna Hyde, PhD candidate in Political Science in the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, is currently in Irbid, Jordan, working on fieldwork for her dissertation project, titled "Migrant Integration and Vitamin Wow: Wasta and the Migrant Experience in Jordan." Aryanna’s research focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by migrants in Jordan, particularly within the context of "wasta"—a cultural concept of networking and social capital that can be vital for navigating everyday life and accessing resources.