KU to partner with Brown v. Board of Education historic site

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration today announced its intent to offer academic and professional development programs at the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site beginning in January 2014.

As part of this new arrangement, administrative operations of the Public Management Center have been moved to KU’s Lawrence campus.

"We are excited about the potential for this new partnership, which we believe symbolizes our highest hopes for access to education and improvement of public service," said Marilu Goodyear, director of the public affairs and administration school.

The timing of this move arrives on significant anniversaries for both organizations. The U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark Brown decision in 1954, thereby ending the practice of racial segregation in U.S. public schools. The site is located in the historic Monroe Elementary School, which was one of the four elementary schools attended by the children of the plaintiffs in the desegregation case.

The National Park Service is pleased to note that through this partnership, the halls and rooms of the beautifully restored Monroe school will once again ring with the voices of students seeking to improve themselves through education.

The Public Management Center began operation in 1974, bringing the KU Master of Public Administration degree and professional education programming to the state capital. The public affairs and administration school views this opportunity, especially in the joint anniversary year of 2014, as an opportunity to reaffirm its ongoing commitments to both the workforce of Topeka and the betterment of public service through quality, personalized professional development. Included in the Topeka-based educational offerings are the MPA degree, the Kansas Certified Public Manager Program, the Emerging Leaders Academy and a host of professional development courses.

"We look forward to working with our many loyal alumni to ensure the success of this partnership, and we are excited about being a continued source of support to public service professionals for years to come," said Charles Jones, director of the Public Management Center.

Learn more about the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site.

Learn more about the School of Public Affairs & Administration and the Public Management Center.