CHAPTER HISTORY

The Empire State Capital Area Chapter of the American Society of Public Administration (ASPA), the nation's most respected society representing all forums in the public service arena, was organized in 1942 as a discussion group of twenty-five persons to address the lack of professionalism and training in the newly expanded state government. The chapter (known until July 1989 as the Capital District Chapter) was officially chartered on December 5, 1945.

On July 1, 1989, the chapter changed its name to the Empire State Capital Area Chapter in order to distinguish it from other "capital area" chapters and to more accurately define the area it covers.

The chapter was instrumental in creating the Albany Graduate Program in Public Administration in September 1947. The school was originally co-sponsored by Syracuse University and New York University but is now part of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany, SUNY. 

During the 1980's, the society's main area of concentration was ethics in government.  The chapter does no lobbying; instead, ESCAC-ASPA tries to improve government through the sponsorship of training, seminars, and workshops.

Most recently, the Chapter, in cooperation with the State Academy for Public Administration, has been instrumental in the development of Essentials of Public Administration in New York State, an award winning training program that has, for the last six years, provided a mechanism for leaders and emerging leaders in New York State government to learn about the mechanics of state government; to learn the processes that make policy into implemented program.