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NAUPAA
What is Pi Alpha Alpha?
Welcome to the Northern Arizona University Chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha (NAUPAA), which is a proud affiliate of Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA), the esteemed National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration. PAA is a registered Trademark of the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA), the globally recognized standard in public service education. Our chapter, NAUPAA, is located on the beautiful mountain campus of Northern Arizona University, where we strive to promote excellence in public service and foster a community of dedicated individuals committed to making a positive impact on society.
Purpose
The NAUPAA chapter aims to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public policy, affairs, and administration, not only on the NAU campus but also in the greater northern Arizona region. We uphold the public service values that form the foundation of the MPA program and undergraduate program in public administration at NAU. Our chapter provides opportunities for professional development, practical learning, and networking through academic and professional assistance to improve the experiences of our members and the community. We serve NAU’s Public Administration students, alumni, associates, and community practitioners in public service, promoting the advancement of education and practice in the art and science of public policy, affairs, and administration. We strive to foster integrity, professionalism, and creative performance in the conduct of governmental and related public service activities.
How can you join?
Our membership is limited to those of academic excellence and achievement and/or distinguished public service who are or have been enrolled or teach in public affairs or public administration programs, or who serve or have served in the public service.
Eligibility Criteria
- Undergraduate students. Candidates for undergraduate degrees who rank in the upper
ten percent of their graduating class may be inducted provided that: a) students have completed 15 semester hours of course work required for PADM;
b) students have maintained an average grade of 3.7 on a scale of 4.0 (A GPA of 3.67 or
above can be rounded up to qualify) in all courses included in the major in public
policy, public affairs and public administration, and at least a 3.0 in all other course
work;
c) students have met the requirements of (a) and (b) above and are in the last semester or
quarter of their junior year. - Transfer students. Transfer students who meet the qualifications for undergraduate
membership may be inducted after they have completed a minimum of one full year of
course work at NAU. - Master’s degree students. A graduate student may join NAUPAA who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.7 for 50 percent of the required course work (a minimum of 18 semester hours or 27 quarter hours). A GPA of 3.67 or above can be rounded up to qualify. There is no restriction to the number who may be inducted.
Graduates who meet all the requirements of student membership but have graduated before being inducted by NAUPAA are eligible to be inducted as alumni members. Additionally, student members automatically become alumni members upon graduation. Alumni members hold a special place within NAUPAA, as their experience and expertise contribute to the continued success of the honor society. Furthermore, if an alumni member relocates to a city where another chapter of PAA is present, they may also affiliate with that chapter. This allows alumni members to continue their involvement with PAA and its activities, events, and initiatives in their new location, fostering a strong network of PAA alumni across different chapters and regions. Alumni members are encouraged to actively engage with NAUPAA or any other affiliated chapters to stay connected with the PAA
community and continue their commitment to public service.
Any full-time faculty member who offers coursework in a public policy, affairs, or administration degree program at NAU is eligible to be elected for faculty membership by the NAUPAA chapter. Faculty members play a crucial role in shaping the education and development of students in the field of public affairs, and their inclusion as members of NAUPAA fosters a strong academic community and promotes excellence in public service education. Faculty members are encouraged to actively engage with NAUPAA activities, events, and initiatives to further enrich the academic and professional growth of students and contribute to the overall mission of the honor society.
Honorary membership. NAUPAA recognizes the significant contributions of distinguished individuals in the field of public policy, public affairs, or public administration through honorary membership. There are two categories of honorary membership:
1. Local Honorary. Any individual who has achieved distinction in public policy, public affairs, or public administration and possesses the distinguished qualities that Pi Alpha Alpha fosters may be inducted to honorary membership in NAUPAA. The NAUPAA chapter has the authority to induct up to two individuals per year without the express approval of the NSPAA Pi Alpha Alpha Special Ad Hoc Committee. However, prior to inducting more than two honorary members, the NAUPAA chapter must request and receive approval from the Ad Hoc Committee.
2. National Honorary. An individual who has made a particularly distinguished contribution to public policy, public affairs, or public administration through practice or education may be inducted to national honorary membership.
Honorary membership in NAUPAA is a prestigious recognition of outstanding achievement and dedication to the field of public service. Honorary members are encouraged to actively engage with NAUPAA and contribute their knowledge and expertise to further advance the mission and goals of the honor society.
Leadership Team
The nominating committee will review students who are academically eligible for membership.
The NAUPAA nominating committee consists of three members as follows:
1. Dr. Sara Rinfret, Director of the MPA Program
2. Dr. Troy Chen, Assistant Professor and the Advisor of the NAUPAA
3. NAUPAA President
If you are interested in serving as a member of the leadership team, please contact, Dr. Troy Chen, NAUPAA advisor.
President, Alex Guzman
Alex Guzman is President of the Pi Alpha Alpha chapter at Northern Arizona University, where he is pursuing a Master of Public Administration. His path to public administration has been a natural progression rather than a change in direction: over the past two decades he has worked across both the private and public sectors as an entrepreneur and an educator, founding WooLearning and Woozia, organizations focused on practical education and real-world skill development, while mentoring others in his community. He currently serves at the Apache County Recorder’s Office, supporting election administration in a rural Arizona county, and his interests center on city and county management, public policy, and elections. He was named the Class of 2026 Commencement Speaker at Pima Community College. As chapter President, he looks forward to running Pi Alpha Alpha collaboratively and building it into an active part of the NAU public administration community.
Vice President, Vivian Gonzalez Carrera
Hi, I’m Vivian! I am currently pursuing my Master of Public Administration at Northern Arizona University and am excited to serve as Vice President of Pi Alpha Alpha. With a background in psychology and experience in local government, I’m passionate about people, leadership, and public service. In this role, I look forward to serving my fellow students in any capacity I can, building meaningful connections, and contributing to a supportive and engaging MPA community.
Secretary, Rachel Kanyur
My name is Rachel Kanyur, and I am completing my Master of Public Administration with a Certificate in Election Administration. I have worked with Arizona’s elections for nearly 10 years, both in Maricopa County and Coconino County, and have seen first-hand how free, fair, and secure elections help empower local communities. I look forward to furthering my knowledge through this program. I also earned my bachelor’s degree from NAU in 2023 and am a proud graduate of the NAU Honors College. Participating in campus organizations during my undergraduate experience helped me to grow into the person I am today. I am excited to promote professional development and networking opportunities to current NAU MPA students through my participation in Pi Alpha Alpha.
Other Information
As a valued member of NAUPAA, you will experience a plethora of benefits that will enhance
your academic and professional journey, including:
1. Recognition of your academic achievement: Your membership in NAUPAA signifies your dedication and excellence in the field of public affairs and administration, providing you with well-deserved recognition for your academic achievements.
2. Job-searching and networking advantages: Membership in NAUPAA opens doors to exclusive networking opportunities with fellow members, professionals, and potential employers in the public service field. This can greatly enhance your job-searching efforts and expand your professional network.
3. Demonstrating your commitment to public service: NAUPAA membership reflects your readiness and eagerness to contribute to the betterment of society through public service. It showcases your commitment to making a positive impact on your community and beyond.
As per the guidelines set by the NASPAA PAA and/or the NAUPAA Chapter, each member is:
required to pay an initiation fee for their membership. The NAUPAA membership fee is $60, payable once as a lifetime membership fee to the NAUPAA chapter. Please contact the NAUPAA Advisor, Dr. Chen.
