Penn's Fels Institute of Government

09/21/2026

Planning your next step in public service? Applications are now open for fall 2027 admission to the Fels MPA and Executive MPA programs!

Join us for a Virtual Information Session to learn more about the programs, the Fels experience, and how an MPA can support your career goals.

Upcoming sessions:
• Thurs., October 15 | 5-6 pm ET
• Thurs., November 12 | 12-1 pm ET
• Wed., December 9 | 5-6 pm ET

Join us online to learn more about the Master of Public Administration and Executive Master of Public Administration, the most practical programs in public administration in the Ivy League.

09/16/2026

Earlier this month, we were thrilled to welcome the Executive MPA Class of 2028 to Fels! Orientation gave our newest EMPA students a chance to meet one another and get oriented to the program ahead.

The next morning, students came together for the first Executive Weekend of the academic year. Friday began with a Policy Coffee Talk featuring Distinguished Fellow James Harris ’21 and Jack Tomarchio ’95, a principal with the Agoge Group, for an off-record conversation on national security and policy issues.

The day wrapped up with our first networking reception, giving students across cohorts an opportunity to connect.

08/26/2026

The MPA Class of 2027 is officially here! 🎉

Our newest cohort arrived at Fels with a wide range of experiences, perspectives, and interests, united by a commitment to public service and making an impact in their communities. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish in the year ahead!

08/04/2026

The MPA Class of 2026 achieved an exciting milestone last week! Students brought a year of learning to life through their capstone presentations, sharing meaningful solutions to real challenges facing their clients. We’re incredibly proud of all they accomplished and excited to see where their work takes them next!

07/22/2026

Fels Faculty Director John Lapinski will lead Penn Arts & Sciences’ new Chief AI Officer Initiative, bringing together state and local government leaders to advance conversations around AI policy, governance, and responsible public-sector use. The initiative will also create experiential learning opportunities for Penn students. Learn more:

As part of Horizons’ AI & Data Across SAS Collaborative, Penn Arts & Sciences has launched the Chief AI Officer initiative, which aims to build community at the state and local level, foster crucial policy conversations, and provide students with experiential learning opportunities. https://buff.ly/TZQchD5 (Illustration: Grace Jung)

05/27/2026

Congratulations to the Fels Class of 2026! 🎓

We were proud to celebrate this year’s graduates as they marked a major milestone at the National Constitution Center on May 17. The ceremony featured student remarks from Mário Da Costa (MPA ’26) and Peter Urscheler (EMPA ’26), along with an inspiring keynote address from Al Schmidt, Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

As they join the ranks of Fels alumni, these graduates bring dedication and drive to public leadership across sectors and communities. We can’t wait to see where they go from here!

05/06/2026

A major milestone for our EMPA 2026 cohort, capstone presentations showcased their applied work on issues like consumer protection, regional economic development, and Pennsylvania’s growing biotech sector, alongside a range of public sector challenges. 📊 The Fels community came together to celebrate at our April networking reception!

04/29/2026

Last day of classes for our MPA Class of 2026 is in the books! 📚 We are so proud of the work this cohort has put in this year as they prepare for their next steps in public service ahead.

Pictured (L-R): Sean Murray, Will McCullough, Mário Da Costa, Kirk Rankin, and Rayven Jones Bowser.

We look forward to celebrating at Fels Graduation in a few weeks!

📸: Mário Da Costa

04/08/2026

The Fels Institute of Government is pleased to announce that Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt will deliver the keynote address at the Fels Class of 2026 graduation ceremony.

Secretary Schmidt became Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth in June 2023 and has spent his career working in nonpartisan and bipartisan environments. Prior to his appointment, he was president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy, a nonpartisan good-government organization. He previously served for 10 years as an elected Philadelphia City Commissioner and vice chairman of the bipartisan Board of Elections, where he focused on improving government transparency, expanding voter access, and strengthening election integrity.

We look forward to celebrating the Fels Class of 2026! Read more at the link below.

03/31/2026

Join us for the next Public Policy in Practice event featuring Patrick J. Murphy, Executive Director of the Hilco Global Geopolitical Unit, former U.S. Congressman, and former Acting Secretary of the Army.

In conversation with Fels Distinguished Fellow Elizabeth Vale, Murphy will speak about his work across government and the private sector, including advising organizations on geopolitical risk and how those perspectives inform decision-making in public policy.

The event will take place virtually on April 7 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. ET.

Learn more and register:

The Fels Institute of Government prepares the next generation of public and nonprofit leaders with an education in public administration.