About the John Glenn College of Public Affairs

Over 50 years of turning dreamers into doers.

The John Glenn College of Public Affairs is a family of individuals committed to making positive change in the world. Through programming and education, we strive to inspire citizenship throughout our community and develop the next generation of public and nonprofit leaders. 

How will you make the world a better place?

Academic Programs
Professional Development Programs

We Value Inclusive Excellence

Our faculty, staff, students and alumni contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates the fundamental value and dignity of everyone. We create safe spaces for civil discourse that acknowledges and embraces diverse perspectives on issues and challenges that affect our community. 

Diversity and Pluralism

We seek different experiences, ideas and perspectives.

Equity and Justice

We believe everyone deserves dignity and fair treatment.

Excellence and Integrity

We work honestly as we endeavor to be our best.

Inclusion and Collaboration

We aspire to be a welcoming and supportive community.

Independence and Curiosity

We strive to be objective, reflective and inquisitive.

We Value Inclusive Excellence

Our faculty, staff, students and alumni contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates the fundamental value and dignity of everyone. We create safe spaces for civil discourse that acknowledges and embraces diverse perspectives on issues and challenges that affect our community. 

We seek different experiences, ideas and perspectives.

We believe everyone deserves dignity and fair treatment.

We work honestly as we endeavor to be our best.

We aspire to be a welcoming and supportive community.

We strive to be objective, reflective and inquisitive.

Marine. Astronaut. Senator. Educator.

Sen. John Glenn dedicated his life to serving others. His legacy continues in the Glenn College today, where we inspire future generations of public leaders and provide them with tools to make the world a better place.

Learn about John and Annie Glenn

On a Mission

The faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the Glenn College embrace the ideals of democratic citizenship and public leadership in our mission to:

Download the College’s Strategic Plan

Prepare tomorrow’s leaders

Prepare tomorrow’s public and nonprofit leaders through education, training, and professional development.

Help solve public problems

Help solve public problems and build knowledge in the field of public affairs through interdisciplinary research.

Support public and nonprofit leaders.

Integrate knowledge from inside and outside the university and transfer that knowledge to external stakeholders in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors across Ohio, the nation, and the globe.

16th

No. 16  Ranked 16th nationally among the 271 public affairs schools in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate School Rankings.

No. 1  A full 41 spots above the next highest-ranked Ohio program, the Glenn College is the only public affairs program in Ohio ranked in the top 50 schools.

No. 22 ShanghaiRanking places The Ohio State University’s public administration research 22nd in the world, and 8th in the United States, for collaborative, high-quality and impactful scholarship.

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96%

96% of our undergraduates are employed or are in graduate/professional school within six months of graduation.

100% of Glenn College MPA, In-Career MA and dual-degree graduates are employed or are in graduate school within six months of graduation.

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Top 10%

Seven of the Glenn College’s graduate specialties have been placed among the ranks of the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report: public management and leadership (7), nonprofit management (9), local government (18), social policy (19), public policy analysis (20), urban policy (22) and public finance (25).

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Leading Public Affairs Education

The faculty at the Glenn College provides an excellent educational experience by embracing diverse perspectives and challenging students to think analytically while generating solutions to critical public problems.

Board of Distinguished Visitors

Michael B. Coleman  -  Director, Business & Governmental Strategies, Ice Miller

  • Louis Beck  -  President, Union Savings Bank
  • Barbara Benham  -  Executive Vice President/Chief Public Affairs Officer, Huntington Bank
  • Sherrod Brown  -  United States Senator
  • Dan Crippen - Former Director, Congressional Budget Office
  • Jo Ann Davidson  -  President, JAD and Associates LLC
  • Sander Flaum  -  Principal, Flaum Navigators
  • Michael Gillette  -  Executive Director, Humanities Texas
  • Melissa Gilliam  -  Executive Vice President & Provost, The Ohio State University
  • David Glenn  -  Son of Sen. John and Annie Glenn
  • Lyn Glenn  -  Daughter of Sen. John and Annie Glenn
  • Jack Kessler  -  Chairman, The New Albany Company
  • Greg Lashutka  -  Senior Consultant, Findley Davies
  • Rob Portman  -  United States Senator
  • Sheila Ronis  -  President, The University Group, Inc.
  • Randy Smith  -  Vice Provost - Academic Programs, The Ohio State University
  • Charles Wise  -  Founding Director, John Glenn School of Public Affairs
  • Guy Worley  -  Past CEO/President, Columbus Downtown Development Corp.

Honorary Doctorate Recipients

The Ohio State University and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs recognize dedicated community leaders through the award of honorary doctorates in public service, public administration and public affairs. 

Honorary Doctorate Recipients