Evans School of Public Policy & Governance

For more than 60 years, the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance has built a reputation as one of the top public policy schools in the nation. The school is defined by our shared purpose: to inspire public service and to democratize p se: to inspire public service and to democratize public policy. Our students, graduates, and faculty provide the ideas, expertise, and leadership that guide government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies around the country and throughout the world. In partnership with communities, we co-create solutions to the most pressing societal problems. The University of Washington first offered the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in 1947 through the Department of Political Science. In 1958, UW President Charles Odegaard appointed a committee to determine how the University could improve public policy and management education. Following the committee’s recommendations, Odegaard asked Brewster Denny to develop a model for an independent school of public policy and governance. The Evans School was established in 1962 as one of the nation’s first schools of public policy at a public university, and it has quickly risen to being home to the top public policy programs nationwide. Formerly known as the UW Graduate School of Public Affairs, the Evans School was renamed in 1999 to honor Daniel J. Evans, who served as both a U.S. senator and three-term governor of the State of Washington. He ranks as one of the most distinguished leaders in the history of the State of Washington with a lifelong commitment to public service with longstanding ties to the UW and exemplary experience in the fields of governance, education, and the environment. Former First Lady Nancy Bell Evans works tirelessly as a civic volunteer to bring energy, grace, and passion to public and nonprofit service. A leader and innovator, she has been a founder and chair of the Friends of Cancer Lifeline, national chair of the First Ladies’ Mental Health Month, founding trustee of Planned Parenthood of Olympia, and founder of the Governor’s Mansion Foundation. ...view more