In Memoriam

Dr. Nadia Rubai, June 13, 1964- March 12, 2022
Nadia In Memoriam

Dr. Nadia Rubaii was both an educator and a life-long learner.

As an educator she positively shaped the lives of students and contributed to the development of her colleagues and our field. Dr. Rubaii developed materials and methods that have become best practices for programs and volunteers in NASPAA accreditation; her willingness to share and collaborate across the network moved our field forward and was a shining example to all who work in public affairs education. She was at the forefront of implementing new pedagogical practices, supporting graduate programs across three continents in their quality assurance processes and serving as an ambassador for NASPAA across the globe.

Dr. Rubaii demonstrated a willingness to step out of her comfort zone. A true life-long learner, she learned new languages and led professional workshops in them. Her joy of learning was also evident in her willingness to venture into new areas of research and leadership.

NASPAA President Susan Gooden remembered Dr. Rubaii with the following sentiment: "One would be hard-pressed to find a colleague more dedicated to NASPAA and public administration education than Nadia Rubaii. Whether she was serving as NASPAA president, COPRA chair, chairing a site visit team, or training us all on the standards, Nadia was deeply committed to excellence in public affairs education and never hesitated to personally roll up her sleeves to get the job done. She unwaveringly made a space at the table for others. While our hearts are collectively shattered by her passing, our minds will forever honor her spirit, tenacity and graciousness. Nadia truly led by setting the highest bar in NASPAA leadership and service."

Dr. Rubaii served NASPAA in many capacities and the story of the growth of NASPAA over the past two decades could not be told without her. The leadership she provided during her time as President, on the Executive Council and as Chair of COPRA—as NASPAA moved from input-driven to competencies-based accreditation and from a solely US-based organization to a global one—was vital to NASPAA and its members. The commitment she showed to advancing the field of public affairs education and the relationships she forged with her colleagues, the public affairs community and NASPAA staff will be sorely missed. Throughout the network, doctoral students, junior faculty, and senior faculty from across the world identify Dr. Rubaii as the first person to introduce them to NASPAA and warmly welcome them into our community. And that is the person we remember first: the kind, warm, welcoming Nadia, ready to collaborate to make a positive change.

NASPAA recognizes and is grateful for all the ways in which Dr. Rubaii served our field through NASPAA during her all too short time with us.

  • President (2011-12); Immediate Past-President (2012-13); President-Elect (2010-11)
  • Commission on Peer Review & Accreditation (COPRA) (Chair 2007-2009; Member 2006-2009)
  • Executive Council Member (2000-2003, 2009-2013)
  • Chair, Education & Training Taskforce for Standards Implementation (2009-10)
  • Self-Study Instructions Taskforce (2008-09)
  • Standards 2009 Steering Committee (2007-09)
  • Co-Developer and Co-Facilitator, Accreditation Institute (2014, 2015)
  • Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) Initiative Advisory Task Force (2010-2012)
  • Conference Chair (2016), Conference Committee (2018, 2019)
  • Site Visitor and Site Visit Chair (2004-06, 2010, 2013, 2015-2022)
  • Conference Organizing Committee (2000, 2001, 2007, 2016, 2017)
  • Facilitator PPIA Public Service Weekend, Binghamton University (2016).
  • International Education Committee (2015-2018)
  • Social Equity & Diversity Committee (2005-Present)
  • Marketing Committee (2004-2010)
  • Chair, Alfred M. Zuck Public Courage Award Committee (2004)
  • Nominating Committee for the Executive Council (2004, 2013)
  • Task Force on Social Equity and Public Affairs Education (2004)
  • National Board Member, Pi Alpha Alpha (2003-2006)
  • Diversity Committee (Chair, 1998-2002, Member 1997-Present)
  • Small Programs Committee, (Chair 1998-2000)