We understand the unique place public service centers and institutes hold within the university. 

The Consortium of University Public Service Organizations (CUPSO) functions as a community of practice for "pracademics": university-based staff and faculty who conduct applied research, offer professional education, or provide various services and technical assistance to state agencies, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and other community partners. 

CUPSO members benefit from:

• A network of peers who offer support, encouragement, and ideas for addressing challenges and enhancing services.
• Access to our resource library which includes sample reports, communications pieces, strategic plans, and public service best practices from members across the country as well as recorded trainings and webinars. 
• Presentation opportunities for public service staff and faculty at the CUPSO annual conference or via webinar throughout the year. 
• An exclusive invitation to the annual CUPSO Fall Directors' Meeting with colleagues from across the country to problem-solve common challenges and opportunities. One registration is included with your annual membership fee.

CUPSO members focus on:

• Improving policy making by providing credible research and evaluation information.
• Improving government management practices through research, training, and technical assistance. 
• Developing leadership skills among city, county, state, and regional government and nonprofit leaders. 
• Providing students with opportunities to learn about and actively participate in addressing public policy challenges. 

2025-2026 executive committee officers

President

Rob Gordon, Director
Carl Vinson Institute of Government
University of Georgia

Vice-President/ President-Elect

Lori Thomas, Executive Director
Urban Institute
University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Past President

Vanessa Fry
Idaho Policy Institute
Boise State University

Treasurer

Lauren Partin, Senior Associate Dean for Administration
UNC School of Government

Staff

Ashley Labosier is the Director of CUPSO (labosier@sog.unc.edu)

Ashley joined CUPSO as director in 2020. Previously, she served as executive director of the Davenport Institute for Public Engagement and Civic Leadership at the Pepperdine University School of Public Policy. Ashley is a national writer and speaker on public engagement and government transparency. She has extensive experience training local government staff and elected officials to engage the full diversity of resident voices meaningfully in local policy decisions, as well as designing and facilitating public processes. Ashley is an adjunct professor at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. 

ByLaws

The current CUPSO bylaws are available for review and download here.