The School of Planning and Public Affairs (SPPA) recognizes an outstanding Master of Public Affairs (MPA) student each year. Established in 2022, the award honors a student whose work demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, a commitment to public service, and strong potential for leadership in public governance. In selecting the recipient, faculty consider evidence of intellectual ability, professional skill development, and dedication to serving the public good. 

This year, several students were nominated for the award. While each nominee is deserving of recognition for their accomplishments and promise, the recipient of the 2025-2026 MPA Outstanding Student Award is Allie Tubbs.

Allie exemplifies the qualities of an effective public service leader and consistently demonstrates the ability to apply public affairs concepts to real-world community challenges. Throughout her time in SPPA, she has distinguished herself through her leadership, academic excellence, and commitment to improving the lives of others.

Allie’s leadership is dependable, proactive, and deeply considerate of those around her. As project manager for the West Branch Capital Improvement Plan and Fiscal Policy capstone team, she guided project strategy, coordinated deliverables, and fostered collaboration among team members and community partners. Her organized and effective leadership helped the team meet key deadlines and earn positive stakeholder feedback on its work. Faculty and fellow students alike noted the invaluable role she played in producing a high-quality, professional final project.

As secretary of the School of Planning and Public Affairs Student Association (SPPASA), Allie not only fulfilled essential responsibilities such as preparing agendas and recording meeting minutes, but also expanded the role to strengthen student engagement. She helped organize welcoming, community-building events that fostered connection and support among students, including baby showers celebrating two student families.

Allie’s individual work further demonstrates her initiative and commitment to advancing fairness and access. Across her coursework, she produced exceptional projects focused on addressing public challenges through thoughtful analysis and evidence-based solutions. Her work includes a statistical and spatial analysis of health insurance disparities; policy memoranda examining employment barriers faced by individuals with disabilities; a detailed assessment of Iowa’s privatized Medicaid system; an analysis of gaps in access to physically accessible medical diagnostic equipment; and an advocacy campaign promoting remote absentee ballot access.

Across these projects, Allie consistently delivered rigorous, well-researched work of the highest quality, reflecting both her academic excellence and her dedication to public service.

We are confident that Allie will make a meaningful impact in the communities she serves after graduation. While she will be greatly missed by SPPA, her future in public service is exceptionally bright.