Susan T. Gooden

The Epic of Social Equity: Evolution, Essence, and Emergence

This symposium issue of Administrative Theory & Praxis considers the role of social equity in public administration and policy. Our papers contribution to this volume is to discuss the evolution, essence, and emergence of social equity within our field. Our analysis of evolution calls attention to foundational contributions that stem from Rawls, Minnowbrook I, and the New Public Administration. Next, we examine both the empirical and normative dimensions of the essence of social equity, which has been influenced largely by the Standing Panel on Social Equity within the National Academy of Public Administration. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the future emergence of social equity, which we argue should focus on expanded, global examples, measurement, and integration into our public administration curriculum.

Integrating Social Equity into the Core Human Resource Management Course

Abstract The National Academy of Public Administration’s Board of Trustees recently adopted social equity as the fourth pillar of public administration. Human resource management (HRM) courses are situated to increase the public affairs graduate curriculum’s emphasis on social equity, because these courses already give attention to related concepts such as due process, discrimination, sexual harassment, and work-life policies. The challenge is to directly apply this pillar in the HRM curriculum by strengthening students’ exposure to formal and informal personnel policies and practices that promote or impede social equity. Drawing on our teaching experiences, we describe how HRM professors can enhance their students’ social equity competencies by incorporating the use of informal “HR dialogues” in their courses. These dialogues allow students to develop managerial competencies to handle the real-world social equity tensions and resistance they are likely to encounter.

Social Equity in Local Emergency Management Planning

States, namely Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, left disturbing images in the minds of many. Media outlets across the world broadcast reports illustrating the dis parities between those who were able to suc cessfully evacuate following these disasters and those who could not. Those who were left behind were segments of American soci ety that historically have experienced social inequities, including low-income individu als, the disabled, the elderly, and non-English speakers. These events highlighted the issue of social equity in the provision of emergency manage ment services. For a nation that had allocated

Navigating the Transparency–Privacy Paradox in Public Sector Data Sharing

This article examines the tension between transparency and privacy that public administrators face as they build multi-agency integrated data systems and work with researchers to harness the power of administrative data to inform policymaking. Analysis of qualitative data from 71 interviews with administrators and university researchers in four State Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) states (Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and Washington) and the U.S. Department of Education indicates the important effect that executive leadership, consistent and sound legal advice, and assessment of risk tolerance at the agency level can have on the structure and function of the overall project. Learning how to navigate this challenge and foster agency–researcher partnerships is fundamental for generating evidence-based research in public administration and policy.

Local Government: Social Equity “First Responders”

Public administrators at all levels are discussing implications of President Trump’s proposed budget. While eventual outcomes remain uncertain, a recent interview of a panel of local government practitioners highlighted that when such reductions occur, local governments often operate as “first responders” in serving the most vulnerable residents within their respective communities. They run toward the potential equity crisis rather than away, in part because they see those affected as neighbors. In essence, their focus on social equity includes an emphasis on direct services as well as trust building. The panel also highlighted the importance of trust building and leadership for sustainability of social equity work and noted assessment and performance improvement as a key opportunity for academic/practitioner collaboration.

Integrating Entrepreneurship Services into Local Workforce Development Systems: Who is Doing It and How

ABSTRACT Entrepreneurship has been touted as a potential tool for reducing inequities and poverty in urban areas. This study examines how public workforce funds are being used to support entrepreneurship based on survey responses from administrators in four states. Results suggest that few workforce funds are being used to support entrepreneurship and when they are, it is more likely affluent communities than disadvantaged ones. This could mean that important opportunities for the most disadvantaged residents and communities are being overlooked. Universal access to the entrepreneurship option can play an important role in helping some of the unemployed achieve self-sufficiency.

Research Partnerships at the State Level Bridging the Academic–Practitioner Divide

This article examines the factors that influence academic–practitioner research partnerships at the state level. The state longitudinal data system (SLDS) offers the capacity to link client-level data across multiple state agencies, providing an unparalleled opportunity to facilitate data informed decision making across PreK–20 educational and workforce agencies. Analysis of sixty-nine qualitative interviews with agency administrators and university researchers in four SLDS states (Maryland, Texas, Virginia, and Washington) suggests that understanding organizational culture, combined with formal and informal factors, influences the quality and likely long-term sustainability of these efforts. Fostering effective partnerships is fundamental to advancing public-sector, data-driven decision making.

Examining Youth Outcomes of African American–Led Nonprofits

This article examines the outcomes of African American–led nonprofit organizations in improving the lives of the youth they serve. Using the framework of representative bureaucracy, this study suggests that demographic similarity among nonprofit leadership and nonprofit clients is transferable to increasing positive youth outcomes within African American–led youth-focused nonprofit organizations. Based on survey data from 727 youth, enhanced by qualitative interviews and focus groups, this research examines youth outcomes across three African American–led nonprofits and compares them with demographically similar youth in their communities. Youth outcomes are analyzed in the areas of academic performance, deviant behavior, family and social support, and self-esteem and resiliency. The findings suggest youth who participate in African American–led nonprofit organizations outperform their peers in the areas of academic performance and self-esteem. These outcomes are important because African American–led nonprofit organizations disproportionately serve African American youth who may not otherwise be served by other extracurricular programming.

Making the invisible visible in nonprofit courses: A case study of African American-led nonprofits

ABSTRACT Examining minority-led nonprofit organizations provides an opportunity to promote cultural competency education within nonprofit specializations. This case study, which focuses on three African American-led nonprofits, serves as an educational resource to examine 1) leadership and mission, 2) program and service delivery, and 3) impacts and outcomes. Common characteristics across these organizations include strong ties to their respective communities, programs that embed cultural awareness, and positive outcomes among the youth served. This case study provides a resource to make African American-led organizations more visible in nonprofit and public affairs courses.