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John Bartle, Ph.D., Honored with the John Glenn College of Public Affairs Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement

John Bartle, Ph.D.
John Bartle, Ph.D., dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service and a professor of public administration at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has been selected as this year's recipient of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement at Ohio State University. Dr. Bartle, who currently serves as the President-Elect of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, where he also serves as treasurer, has made a significant impact on the field of public affairs throughout his distinguished career.

With an impressive academic background, including a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Swarthmore College, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management from The Ohio State University, Dr. Bartle's educational journey laid the foundation for a remarkable career.

The Glenn College at Ohio State is proud to honor Dean John Bartle with its Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement. Dean Bartle’s longstanding service to the academic field of public administration, and his sterling leadership of one of the field’s leading programs, have demonstrated the outstanding qualities we look for in our alumni award recipients."

 Trevor Brown, Dean of the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at Ohio State University

Dr. Bartle's extensive teaching and research interests encompass public financial management, public budgeting, public sector economics, and public policy analysis and evaluation. His contributions in these areas have significantly shaped the academic landscape.

Throughout his career, Dr. Bartle has held various key administrative positions at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, including Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service (CPACS), Director of the School of Public Administration, and Director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program.

Rhonda Sheibal-Carver, Business Manager for CPACS, has worked with Dean Bartle for 22 years and knows him well. "He has been a constant leader in the School of Public Administration and the CPACS Dean’s Office. Dean Bartle is always present with an open-door policy, always engaged with students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the community," she said. "As Dean, he still teaches undergraduate and graduate courses each semester, enjoying the interaction he has with students. For Dean Bartle, it’s always been about moving the college forward and giving our students the best education and opportunities possible. It’s been easy to work with him over the years as he appreciates and supports the faculty and staff and, in turn, he is highly respected."

Under his visionary leadership as Dean of CPACS, the college has achieved remarkable milestones. Enrollment has seen a significant rise, with a 36% increase from fall 2010 to 2021. CPACS programs have received national recognition, with eight programs ranked in the top 30 by US News & World Report in 2021-22.

Dr. Bartle's commitment to education is reflected in the development of new academic degrees and concentrations that meet the evolving needs of students. He has also actively championed diversity, resulting in CPACS having the highest faculty diversity at UNO.

His dedication extends to fundraising efforts, with almost $7 million raised through the University of Nebraska Foundation to support endowed professorships, scholarships, and academic programming.

Dr. Bartle has navigated challenges, including budget cuts, with resilience and strategic thinking, ensuring the college's continued success. His leadership extends to various collaborations, awards, and initiatives, including the Collaborative Leadership program and the Digital Governance and Analytics Lab.

Moreover, as the President-Elect of the American Society for Public Administration, Dr. Bartle continues to shape the future of public administration on a national level. This esteemed role affirms his trailblazing influence in U.S. public affairs, emphasizing his dedication to collaboration and excellence. He received two major awards from ASPA Sections: the Aaron Wildavsky Award for lifetime achievement in budgeting and financial management, and the Truitt-Felbinger Award for significant contributions to the field of transportation policy and administration.

Dr. Bartle exemplifies the transformative power of education, research, and commitment to the betterment of our communities. His outstanding career achievements and contributions serve as an inspiration to the next generation of leaders in public affairs. He will be accepting the John Glenn College of Public Affairs Distinguished Alumni Award for Career Achievement at the 2023 Glenn College Leadership Forum Luncheon in October.