The Southeastern Conference for Public Administration enhances the public service field in the Southeast by providing opportunities for scholarly & practice-based exchanges, professional development & networking, nurturing students, new practitioners & academics and developing leaders in the profession.

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.

SECoPA is an affiliation group of ASPA – American Society for Public Administration.

Since 1939, we have been the nation’s most respected society representing all forums in the public service arena. We are advocates for greater effectiveness in government – agents of goodwill and professionalism – publishers of democratic journalism at its very best – purveyors of progressive theory and practice and providers of global citizenship. We believe that by embracing new ideas – addressing key public service issues – and promoting change at both the local and international levels, we can enhance the quality of lives worldwide.