Establishment of SECoPA

The Southeastern Conference for Public Administration (SECoPA) was established in 1978 in order to facilitate the promotion of public administration research, scholarship, and professionalism throughout the Southeastern United States. Prior to its formation, southeastern-based chapters of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) organized annual Southeast Regional Conferences.

The official Articles of Incorporation were adopted on June 23, 1978, and filed September 14, 1978. The organization was incorporated by faculty from several Florida institutions, including the University of South Florida, University of West Florida and Florida State University. The first (temporary) Chairman was Augustus B. Turnbull, III, and the first (temporary) Secretary was C. E. Teasley, III.

Southeastern Conference for Public Administration
P.O. Box 661612
Miami Springs, FL 33266

The Southeastern Conference for Public Administration (SECoPA) was incorporated in the State of Florida on September 14, 1978. The purpose of the corporation is to provide public education as follows:

A. The sponsorship of an annual meeting of interested public administration groups and individuals concerned with the advancement of the art and science of public administration. The annual meeting is scheduled at various sites throughout the southeastern region of the United States.

B. The sponsorship and support of various public service information activities including journals, bulletins, and newsletters which are germane to public administration activity in the southeastern United States.

C. The corporation may undertake various projects which are useful to the public administration community in the southeastern United States.

Membership in the SECoPA organization includes any active member of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) holding membership in a chapter geographically located in the southeastern region of the United States.

Membership in SECoPA is automatic to members of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) in Region III.

Original 1978 SECoPA Articles of Incorporation (PDF)

History of Public Administration

“Public Administration” is a field of social science with strong ties to the Southeastern United States. One of its most recognized originators was a native of the South: academic and former U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. We are also home to many of the oldest and most honored institutions focused on the study of the field.

Articles of Interest (Click on the Citation to View/Download the Articles as PDFs)

Duffey, Jefferson & Donato Pugliese. “The Southeast Regional Conference.” Southeastern Review of Public Administration. June 1977, pp. 14-24.

Pugliese, Donato & Jefferson Duffey. “Leadership Development and Continuity in a Voluntary Participatory Association: The Cast of SECoPA.” Southeastern Review of Public Administration. Fall 1982, pp. 347-361.

Teasley, C.E. III. “Reflections on SECoPA: The Best Region and Conference in ASPA.” Prepared for the 1992 Southeastern Conference for Public Administration (Montgomery, AL).

Thanks to Kathryn Hensley for providing these documents.