The Trachtenberg School partners with many other universities and organizations in the DC region on a variety of initiatives, and it is that time of year when our co-hosted evaluation conference comes along –  with the cherry blossoms. For the 8th year in a row we are partnering with students and faculty in programs at George Mason, American and Howard universities to hold the 2026 DC Emerging Evaluators Exchange (DCE3) conference with a theme of: “Navigating Evaluation Careers and Identities.” The virtual conference is free to all on Friday April 24, 2026. The registration link is here.

Within the Trachtenberg School we have many MPA. MPP and Ph.D. students who choose the field of evaluation as their focus, and many through the years have worked with me to help organize the annual conference working with students from education schools at the other area universities. 

Each year the spring conference has been organized by students with faculty advisors. The students on the planning committee choose the theme and the speakers, and students at all area schools  are invited to apply to present their work. The conference became virtual during COVID and has remained so as this format makes the conference available to participants from around the world. 

This year’s conference theme is “Navigating Evaluation Careers and Identities,” which captures how the field of evaluation is evolving, as are the careers and identities of those who practice it. Evaluation practitioners come from a variety of backgrounds, bringing a wide range of perspectives and expertise that enrich evaluation as a whole. At the same time, evaluative skills are opening doors for practitioners both within and beyond traditional evaluation roles. The conference is a space for participants to share experiences, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections across our community. There will be a keynote address by award winning evaluator and leading thinker in the realm of community psychology, community healing, and collective transformation, Dr. Dominica McBride. There is also a moderated panel discussion of evaluation professionals with Q&A , and student presentations. 

As one of the faculty founders of the annual conference, I am proud to give a shout out to one of our Ph.D. students, Helen Mittman, who has been working on the conference committee for over two years. See more about her below! And please share our link to this year’s conference - the link is here. 

On March 5, TSPPPA co-hosted a partner event Driving Government Efficiency: Delivering Measurable Results.

The conference brought together leaders from across government, academia, and the private sector for a dynamic conversation on how to promote efficiency and move modernization efforts from concept into measurable impact. Throughout the day, speakers and attendees explored practical strategies for improving government operations, strengthening collaboration across sectors, and delivering results for the public. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from an impressive lineup of speakers including TSPPPA alumni Clark Mercer and Andrea Sampanis with featured guest Rep. Pete Sessions and more.

Driving Government Efficiency: Delivering Measurable Results was hosted in partnership with Shared Services Leadership Coalition, AGA, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW), Data Foundation, the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), Senior Executives Association (SEA), and Marymount University's College of Business, Innovation, Leadership & Technology.

On March 22, Trachtenberg hosted a reception at the ASPA Conference in Hollywood, California. Director Kathryn Newcomer, Deputy Director Domonic Bearfield and Director of Administration and Operations Kate Rosa attended to meet with the TSPPPA community including alumni, fellow colleagues and faculty.

Helen Mittmann, MAA, is Senior Research Associate for the George Washington University’s Funders Forum on Accountable Health, a project of the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s Department of Health Policy and Management. Since joining the Forum in 2019, her work has focused on studying, supporting, and amplifying the efforts of multisector, community-driven partnerships working to advance the health and wellbeing of the people they serve. Helen also serves on the Student Organizing Committee for the DC Emerging Evaluators Exchange, an annual convening designed by and for emerging evaluators. 

Helen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and a Master of Applied Anthropology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She is currently a Ph.D. student at the GW Trachtenberg School of Public Policy & Public Administration.

The field of evaluation is evolving, and so are the careers and identities of those who practice it. At the 2026 DC Emerging Evaluators Exchange (DCE3) conference (formerly known as DCSCEP), those at all stages of evaluation careers will reflect on what it means to be an evaluator today. DCE3 is a one-day conference planned by emerging evaluators for emerging evaluators, but you do not have to be an emerging evaluator to attend. Through a keynote address, interactive panel, and student presentations, this conference will explore how to apply evaluative skills across fields and sectors, build careers within and beyond traditional evaluation roles, and communicate the value of this work.

Register here. 

Please join the Policy Perspectives team for the launch of Volume 33 of their journal. You’ll have the opportunity to hear authors discuss their articles from both the print journal and the blog, followed by a catered reception.

The event will be on April 29 from 5 - 7:45pm.

RSVP here.

The Trachtenberg School invites the alumni community to gather on May 1 to celebrate professional excellence and academic achievement.

Alumni Impact Honorees Celebratory Toast - 4pm on 2000 Penn Ave Rooftop

Kick off the festivities by honoring the 2026 Alumni Impact Honorees. Join us for sparkling cider toast and a selection of sweets as we recognize the career achievements and community impact of our inaugural honorees.

2026 Capstone Expo and Graduation Celebration - 5pm in the GW Continental Ballroom

Following the toast, join the broader community for one of Trachtenberg’s signature spring traditions.

Capstone Expo: Explore the culmination of student research and analysis. This showcase features innovative, real-world projects that demonstrate the rigor, creativity, and practical impact of the academic journey.

Graduation Celebration & Student Awards: Help recognize the achievements of the Class of 2026. This reception includes food, drinks, and time to connect with fellow alumni, faculty, and students as we toast to the next chapter for our graduates.

To ensure an accurate count for catering and logistics, please confirm your attendance for one or both events. We look forward to seeing the Trachtenberg community come together for this special afternoon of recognition and connection!

RSVP here.

At the ASPA Section on Personnel Administration and Labor Relations (SPLAR) session, Deputy Director Domonic Bearfield was awarded the Jonathan West Outstanding Scholar Award which recognizes a scholar who has made substantial contributions to the academic literature in the field of public personnel administration.

During the ASPA Center for Accountability and Performance session, TSPPPA Alum and Faculty David J. Bernstein (MPA, Ph.D.) was awarded the Harry Hatry Distinguished Performance Management Practice Award which recognizes an individual whose outstanding teaching, education, training and consultation in performance measurement have made a significant contribution to the practice of public administration. He was nominated for this award by Rakesh Mohan, the Former Director of the Idaho Office of Legislative Performance Evaluations and an ASPA/CAP Board member and Director Kathy Newcomer wrote a letter of support for his nomination. 

On March 28, TSPPPA hosted its annual Admitted Students Day, welcoming Fall 2026 accepted students for an immersive look at the Trachtenberg School. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from student organizations, faculty and a remarkable alumni panel including Colenn Berracasa (MPP '16), Avery L. Brown (MPA), Joshua Alvarez (MPA '16), Sabina Malnis (ENRP '24), and Lorena Roque  (MPP’19 & current Ph.D. student). After an insightful morning session, accepted students then joined faculty and more alum for engaging breakout sessions to learn more about the programs and opportunities available within the Trachtenberg community. At the end, TSPPPA held a toast to welcome students and celebrate their achievements so far. 

Lucas Thevenard work was cited in The Regulatory Review in the article “Week in Review.’’ 

Robert Weiner gave commentary to several news outlets: to Nexstar Media Group about concern of rising gas prices;  “What the release of 150 million barrels of oil means for reserve sites in Texas." in the Houston Public Media; “Attacks on Middle East energy sites deepen threat to US economy, analysts say,.” in ABC News.

Michael LaForest-Tucker recently published his paper in the Journal of Policy Analysis and Management "Can Crime Be Deterred at Low Cost? Evidence From a Randomized Experiment in New York."

Leah Brooks was quoted in KUOW-FM in the article “Could light rail across Lake Washington make Seattle the next Copenhagen?’’ by Joshua McNichols.

Finn Dobkin authored the article “Managing Uncertainty in Benefit-Cost Analysis.’’ in The Regulatory Review.

Steven Balla gave commentary to several news outlets: “Pam Bondi had a ploy. A million people had opinions about it. | Opinion.’’ in USA Today and "The U.S. and the EU are quietly narrowing opportunities for public comment." in Federal News Network.