The core mission of Rockefeller College is to discover, communicate, and apply knowledge about politics, governance, public policy, and public management, making democracy stronger and governments more effective around the world.

We accomplish this through outstanding teaching and research and through a commitment to public service –directly helping public managers, policymakers, and others deal effectively with the challenges they face.

This commitment to taking direct action in the broader society contributes to the immediate relevance of classroom teaching, invigorates the educational experience, and produces models that can be adapted and applied throughout the country and the world. Consistent with the University’s broader vision, this commitment also comes to life–especially in undergraduate programs–through the education of tomorrow’s leaders, fostering the qualities of citizenship essential to sustaining a vital democracy.

Over the last 30 years, one of the University’s major strengths has been in public policy, particularly in relation to research and service needs at the state and local levels of government. U.S. News and World Report ranks the Rockefeller College public affairs program 10th out of some 260 such programs nationwide. Several areas within the college also rank in the top five percent, including information and technology management, public management/administration, public finance and budgeting, and public policy analysis.

Professional societies, including the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, have recognized our competitive advantages in state government and administration, intergovernmental management, and federalism.