Dennis C. Smith

The heart of NYU Wagner's programs is our faculty. An amalgam of full-time, clinical/research/visiting, and adjunct professors, they are outstanding teachers, expert researchers and committed practitioners.

Both domestically and globally, research by NYU Wagner faculty examines issues of public importance with an eye to making a difference.

Information about seminars at Wagner and other departments and schools at NYU.

Click for a complete list of NYU Wagner's faculty, with information about their background, academic interests and contact information.

An extensive list of journal articles, books, book chapters and reports from NYU Wagner's faculty.

Centers & Institutes

Initiatives

Affiliated Institutes

The Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is home to research and policy centers, institutes, and initiatives that focus on solving urban problems and strengthening public policy and public service nationally and around the world.

The Financial Access Initiative (FAI) is a consortium of researchers at NYU, Yale, Harvard and IPA focused on finding answers to how financial sectors can better meet the needs of poor households.

Since its founding in 1994, the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy has become the leading academic research center in New York City devoted to the public policy aspects of land use, real estate development and housing.

The Institute for Civil Infrastructure Systems (ICIS) is a research and education center founded in January 1998, located at New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and directed by Professor Rae Zimmerman. ICIS promotes interdisciplinary approaches to planning, building, and managing the complex world of civil infrastructure systems to meet their social and environmental objectives.

A university-wide, multidisciplinary enterprise, the Institute for Education and Social Policy was founded by former Wagner Dean and NYU Executive Vice President Robert Berne, the Aaron Diamond Foundation's Norm Fruchter, and NYU Steinhardt School of Education Dean Ann Marcus. The Institute investigates urban education issues and studies the impact of public policy on students from poor, disadvantaged, urban communities.

New York University is proud to announce the establishment of the John Brademas Center for the Study of Congress at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. The Center is named in honor of NYU President Emeritus and former Member of Congress, Dr. John Brademas.

The NYUAD Center for Global Public Service and Social Impact's mission is to advance international understanding and effective practice for strengthening the global public service as a driver of social impact in a constantly changing international environment. It is designed to support the entrepreneurial, effective and efficient production of public value by governments, nongovernmental organizations and private social ventures, by working through networks of scholars, opinion leaders and senior executives across the world.

Housed within the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the Research Center for Leadership in Action (RCLA) creates collaborative learning environments that break down this isolation, foster needed connections and networks, and yield new and practical insights and strategies.

Established in 1996 at New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, and named in September 2000 in recognition of a generous gift from civic leader Lewis Rudin, the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management is currently led by Mitchell Moss.

The Mission
The purpose of the project is to create and convene an interdisciplinary network of thinkers and doers (the "Network") that could help with making the transition from closed-and-centralized to open-and-collaborative institutions of governance.

The Berman Jewish Policy Archive at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service is a central address for Jewish communal and social policy, both on the web and in its home at NYU Wagner. Named for its principal funder, The Berman Foundation, BJPA's primary focus is on making the vast amount of policy-relevant material accessible and available to all those who seek it.

The Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation Program in Social Entrepreneurship is designed to attract, encourage and train a new generation of leaders in public service. Each year, the program will expose a highly selective group of graduate and undergraduate students from throughout New York University to the cross-disciplinary skills, experiences and networking opportunities needed to advance and support their efforts to realize sustainable and scalable pattern-breaking solutions to society's most intractable problems.

Global forces are dramatically changing the environments of children, youth and adults both in the United States and throughout the world. First- and second-generation immigrant children are on their way to becoming the majority of children in the U.S., bringing linguistic and cultural diversity to the institutions with which they come in contact.

NYU Wagner is affiliated with the Nathan Kline Institute, the National Hispanic Health Foundation, and the Transatlantic Policy Consortium.

Degree Programs

Other Programs

Ranked #6 in Public Affairs by U.S. News & World Report, the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service educates the future leaders of public, nonprofit, healthcare and private sector organizations addressing the world's critical issues.

Students who wish to take only a few courses at Wagner must apply as a non-degree student by the appropriate deadlines; however, non-degree and advanced certificate applicants are not eligible for scholarship consideration.

NYU Wagner offers more than 150 different courses, allowing students to select not only by degree and specialization within that degree, but also by topic area.

Capstone is learning in action. Part of the core curriculum of the MPA and MUP programs at NYU Wagner, the Capstone program combines critical learning with an opportunity to perform a public service.

The flexible and fluid world of public service requires a broad and transferable education. Housed in a school of public service, rather than a school of public policy or public affairs, the Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy program at NYU Wagner educates professionals committed to public service in all sectors.

NYU Wagner's Health Policy and Management program has been recognized as one of the best in the country. Located in a school of public service rather than in a medical or public health school, our program crosses traditional boundaries, linking management, finance, and policy, and provides students with the cutting-edge concepts and skills needed to shape the future of health policy and management.

NYU Wagner's Master of Urban Planning program prepares students for the full set of challenges of today's cities, balancing development, community needs and social justice, provision of critical public services, sustainability and security.

Through theoretical and methodological training, Wagner's doctoral students learn how to produce insights required for effective and equitable public and nonprofit programs and policies.? Our program is interdisciplinary, flexible, and provides a wide range of academic opportunities for students.

With a powerful professional network and a flexible curriculum, the Executive MPA program helps mid-career professionals prepare for the highest levels of public service leadership.

NYU Wagner offers a number of dual degrees in conjunction with other NYU schools. Programming and academic resources can include exclusive speaker events, tailored orientations and designated faculty and administrative advisors.

The Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service offers a set of courses and minors open only to undergraduates. All of the courses are taught by Wagner School faculty who are recognized experts in their fields and provide students with an opportunity to explore some of the most important public policy issues facing policy-makers and practitioners at the local and national level today.

Students arrive at NYU with the desire to serve the public. They leave with the skills and experience to bring about change. Combining coursework in management, finance and policy with cutting-edge research and work experience in urban communities, the NYU Wagner education will enable you to transform your personal commitment into public leadership.

Thank you for your interest in applying to NYU Wagner!

Deciding where to attend graduate school can be difficult. When choosing the right school, students must carefully consider many factors.

The admissions process is designed to review the overall potential of applicants to determine which students will succeed in their studies and their careers.

Admissions review is conducted on a modified rolling basis. Applicants seeking a merit-based scholarship consideration should complete the application process as early as possible.

Attending graduate school is an investment in your future and a serious commitment of time and money. There are many ways students can fund an NYU Wagner education and we strongly encourage you to seek out all possibilities.

We understand that attending NYU Wagner is both an investment in time and money. We are committed to helping our students identify and maximize the resources that will enable them to afford a Wagner education.

Whether in their first or last semester, students at NYU Wagner have many resources to help them navigate their way to graduation.

Add Wagner calendars to your Google Gmail account.

The journey map is a resource that describes key phases of the NYU Wagner student experience.

Welcome to NYU Wagner! We've got the information you need for a successful start to your journey as a Wagner student.

These procedures supplement the Student Disciplinary Procedures of New York University, as approved by the vote of the Wagner school faculty on December 16, 2010.

NYU Wagner has several advisement options for students, including student and program services administrators, faculty advisors and the Office of Career Services.

Composing Your Career is a guide to help you on your path to work that matters to the public and to you.

The Wagner Student Association encourages students to get involved in extracurricular life at NYU Wagner through student organizations, volunteer efforts and community events.

For Job Seekers

For Employers

NYU Wagner's Office of Career Services (OCS) provides students and alumni with the resources needed to build successful public service careers. Explore our resources for Job seekers and employers.

During Walk-In Hours and Scheduled Appointments, OCS advisors provide students and alumni with one-on-one career counseling. Visit us to discuss resumes and cover letters, prepare for interviews, discuss work-place issues and more.

NYU Wagner's Career Directory is an online database of job, internship and fellowship postings across the field of public service. Students and alumni can log-in to view postings, RSVP for career events, and search employer profiles.

NYU Wagner's Office of Career Services has created a variety of guides to assist students and alumni in the career planning process. Learn how to compose compelling resumes, negotiate job offers, prepare for interviews and more.

WAG-NET, NYU Wagner's online networking database, connects students and alumni who are interested in sharing professional advice. Register to explore career options, create professional networks and stay abreast of industry trends.

OCS offers resources to help public service employers recruit permanent staff and obtain critical support from experienced interns and/or Capstone teams. Learn more about NYU Wagner, post positions, and connect with candidates.

As seasoned professionals, recent college graduates or mid-career managers, NYU Wagner's students and alumni are leading change making initiatives across all sectors and public service industries. Learn about the types of jobs, internships and other professional roles our students and alumni hold.

Post a position on NYU Wagner's Career Directory. Connect with outstanding candidates who are seeking quality public service career opportunities.

Information Sessions offer a great opportunity for public service employers to spread the word about staffing needs and identify promising candidates for jobs and internships. Contact us today to schedule an Info Session.

Through the on-campus recruitment program, OCS assists public service employers in posting positions, collecting applications and scheduling interviews on campus. Streamline the hiring process through our free program.

Find out how our recent alumni are faring in the job market.

OCS hosts educational and networking events to support students and alumni in their career development. Join us at our career panels, luncheons, employer information sessions, workshops and career expos.

OCS has composed lists of web-based resources to aid students and alumni in their career development activities. Browse job posting sites, professional associations, links to industry websites, and OCS library resources.

e-News Archive

Welcome to the Wagner Alumni WebPages, where you can find information about resources for alumni from the school, join the Wagner Alumni Listserv and much more.

Check frequently for updated listings and event details, as well as RSVP information, for NYU Wagner alumni events, lectures and regional activities.

Wagner alumni lead dynamic, purposeful and far-reaching professional lives. They serve populations across the U.S. and all over the globe.

There are many benefits and services that both NYU Wagner and New York University offer to alumni.

NYU Wagner's Office of Career Services offers many services to students and alumni.

Billie Hughes
Assistant Director, Alumni Relations & Career Services
(212) 998-7474
Toni Harris
Director, Career Services
(212) 998-7474

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Newsletter / Journal Archive

Read about news and ideas from NYU Wagner faculty and alumni and keep in touch with interesting and useful events at the school.

Events, meetings and activities are available for students, alumni and members of the public.

NYU Wagner's faculty share their ideas and research in the press, and reporters cover news coming from the school.

Review blogs from the NYU Wagner Community.

The NYU Wagner Public Service Today EventCast documents presentations and discussions on issues related to degree programs, faculty research, and centers/institutes at NYU Wagner.

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Keep on top of what's new from NYU Wagner with information from our press office.

Date	Publication/Paper
2007	Smith, D.C. & Purtell, R. 2007. *An Empirical Assessment of NYPD’s "Operation Impact": A Targeted Zone Crime Reduction Strategy.* June. Download report Abstract Clearly in a time of shrinking resources, Operation Impact has earned its place as an empirically-validated crime-reduction tool worthy of continued adaptation in New York, and emulation in other cities facing resurgent crime, if they have the capacity to replicate the kind of careful analysis on which the implementation of Operation Impact was launched and its implementation has been tracked and managed.
2005	Smith, D.C. 2005. *Practice, Practice, Practice: The Education and Training of Policy Analysts at NYU Wagner.* in Geva-May, Iris (ed.), A Clinical Approach to Policy Analysis. Abstract The world of policy represents the confluence of a number of intellectual strands in which the clinician brings science together with intuition, and uses his or her experience to interpret the evidence and make recommendations for treatment. This important volume brings together leading scholars to explore the "how" of thinking about policy--the questions, values, judgments and experience the analyst brings to bear.
2003	Smith, D.C. 2003. *Managing UNCIVPOL: The Potential of Performance Management in International Public Services.* in Dijkzeul, D. and Beigbeder, Y (eds.), Rethinking International Organizations: Pathologies and Promise. Oxford/New York: Berghahn Books. Abstract The management of international organizations is attracting growing attention. Most of this attention is highly critical of both the UN system and International NGOs. Sometimes, this criticism lacks depth or reflects insufficient understanding of these organizations, or is based on narrow, and sometimes biased, internal political concerns of a particular country. International relations theory has insufficiently studied the type of linkages that these organizations provide between international decision-making and Northern fundraising on the one hand, and practical action in the South on the other. As a result, current theory too rarely focuses on the inner functioning of these organizations and is unable to explain the deficiencies and negative outcomes of their work. While the authors identify and describe the pathologies of international organizations in, for example, international diplomacy, fundraising, and implementation, they also stress positive elements, such as their intermediary role. The latter form the basis for more efficient and effective policies and action that, in addition to some recent political trends also described in this volume, hold hope for a stronger functioning of these organizations in the future.
2001	Smith, D.C. 2001. *Old Wine, New Bottles? The Distinctive Challenges of Managing International Public Service Organizations.* a paper presented at the 23rd Annual Research Conference of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) in Washington DC, November 1-3.
	Smith, D.C. 2001. *Electronic Government, Transparency, and Performance Management in the Governance of Cities.* a paper presented at the United Nations/Metropolitan Seoul Conference on EGovernance, Seoul, Korea, August.
	Bratton, W. & Smith, D.C. 2001. *Performance Management in New York City: COMPSTAT and the Revolution in Police Management.* in Quicker, Better, Cheaper? Managing Performance in American Government, ed. Dall Forsythe. Albany: Suny Press. Download publication Abstract Scholars may argue about the effectiveness of the "reinvention movement" at the state and federal level. At the local level, the managers of urban police forces have in fact reinvented American police administration, and in doing so have contributed to dramatic reductions in crime all across the nation. The story of this reinvention is complex, but central to it is a radical shift in the way police organizations strategically use information about performance to achieve greater managerial accountability. Because these new performance management techniques were pioneered in New York City in the mid-1990s, the development and implementation of Compstat by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) is a valuable case study of this new approach to policing.

Clearly in a time of shrinking resources, Operation Impact has earned its place as an empirically-validated crime-reduction tool worthy of continued adaptation in New York, and emulation in other cities facing resurgent crime, if they have the capacity to replicate the kind of careful analysis on which the implementation of Operation Impact was launched and its implementation has been tracked and managed.

The world of policy represents the confluence of a number of intellectual strands in which the clinician brings science together with intuition, and uses his or her experience to interpret the evidence and make recommendations for treatment. This important volume brings together leading scholars to explore the "how" of thinking about policy--the questions, values, judgments and experience the analyst brings to bear.

The management of international organizations is attracting growing attention. Most of this attention is highly critical of both the UN system and International NGOs. Sometimes, this criticism lacks depth or reflects insufficient understanding of these organizations, or is based on narrow, and sometimes biased, internal political concerns of a particular country. International relations theory has insufficiently studied the type of linkages that these organizations provide between international decision-making and Northern fundraising on the one hand, and practical action in the South on the other. As a result, current theory too rarely focuses on the inner functioning of these organizations and is unable to explain the deficiencies and negative outcomes of their work. While the authors identify and describe the pathologies of international organizations in, for example, international diplomacy, fundraising, and implementation, they also stress positive elements, such as their intermediary role. The latter form the basis for more efficient and effective policies and action that, in addition to some recent political trends also described in this volume, hold hope for a stronger functioning of these organizations in the future.

Dennis C. Smith
Associate Professor of Public Policy

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