Our Mission
The mission of the Johnson Institute is to enhance professional and institutional ethics and accountability in public leadership. We accomplish this mission through an integrated portfolio of programs including:
Teaching: The Johnson Institute provides classroom instruction and experiential learning opportunities for GSPIA students and for experienced public service executives. The Leadership Portfolio Program is a 15 month leadership development program for exceptionally promising and motivated students.
Research: The Johnson Institute conducts basic and applied research on leadership and accountability in public service leading to publications in top journals. We also regularly publish case studies profiling the accomplishments of winners of our Exemplary Leader Award. The cases are available for classroom use here and at other institutions.
Outreach: The Johnson Institute promotes discussion and debate on timely public policy issues that involve leadership in the public sector. When possible also provide leadership consulting services, usually free of charge, to public and nonprofit organizations. The Nonprofit Clinic gives graduate students the opportunity to serve as management consultants to nonprofits in the Pittsburgh region.
These three aspects of the Johnson Institute mission work in concert to enhance the quality of public leadership in government, nonprofit, and nongovernmental organizations in Pittsburgh, the Nation, and abroad.