Neil Ashdown was born and raised in Lander, Wyoming. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy at the University at Albany and his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Utah. While he attended Rockefeller, he was awarded the Joseph F. Zimmerman Fellowship for dissertation research while in residence.
Neil is currently the Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office
of Planning and Budget (GOPB) and serves as Chief Economist to
Governor Olene S. Walker. He is also an Adjunct Associate Professor
and instructs
graduate courses in the Master of Public Administration program
at the University of Utah.
He is a frequent presenter and keynote speaker at local business,
academic, government, and professional and trade-related conferences.
His book, entitled The Impact of Banking Policy on Trade and Global
Stability published by Greenwood Publishing, was released in bookstores
in September 2002, and an article entitled “Can Institutions
Constrain Nation-State Policy Choices In a Global System?” was
published in the Spring 2002 volume of the peer-reviewed, academic
journal, The Political Chronicle.
Check out Neil’s new book
One Made of Many
at http://www.neilhashdown.com/works.htm
An Interview with Neil H. Ashdown
How has your Rockefeller College/University at Albany degree helped
prepare you for your career and in life?
The University at Albany has some of the greatest minds in their individual
disciplines. Their knowledge and expertise in public affairs prepared
me well for a career in the public sector. Additionally, the University
at Albany has a distinct benefit for students of public affairs, both
with its location in New York’s capital city, and its close proximity
to some of the nation’s most influential metropolitan and governmental
centers. The school’s location allowed me to participate in relevant
conferences and national and international events that otherwise might
have proven to be cost or time prohibitive.
What do you remember most about your days here at Rockefeller College/University
at Albany?
Some of my greatest memories involve deep discussions and engaging
theoretical debates about the literature with my professors and fellow
graduate students. I was very impressed with the caliber of the faculty
members, who are well-published and held in high regard by their peers
throughout the world.
Do you have any advice that you would like to share with our current
students?
Take advantage of every moment you have while attending the University
at Albany. Your time there will fly by and there are so many wonderful
resources at your disposal.
What would you say to prospective students thinking about attending
Rockefeller College/UAlbany?
If you are considering a career in the public sector, you should seriously
consider attending the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy
at the University at Albany. The faculty and staff are first rate.
They treat graduate students as colleagues, involving them in their
own research. They challenge their students to achieve, helping them
to better prepare themselves for the competitive job search that awaits
them, and ultimately to succeed in their chosen fields.
