The National Academy of Public Administration has named two University of Georgia faculty to its 2026 class of Academy Fellows. NAPA is one of the nation’s most prestigious organizations dedicated to advancing excellence in public service.
Rob Gordon and Eric Zeemering are among 64 highly accomplished public servants in the 2026 class of Fellows, which includes artificial intelligence pioneers, statisticians, historians, educators and public service practitioners from the local, state and federal levels.
“I congratulate Rob Gordon and Eric Zeemering on their election to the National Academy of Public Administration,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “This distinguished honor reflects their outstanding leadership and commitment to public service, as well as the far-reaching impact of their work to advance effective government and strengthen communities in Georgia and across the nation.”
They join more than 1,000 current Fellows, including former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors and state legislators, as well as prominent scholars, executives, nonprofit leaders and more. With Gordon and Zeemering’s election, UGA now counts 10 NAPA Fellows among its emeritus and current faculty, including School of Public and International Affairs Dean Matthew Auer in 2023.
According to NAPA, Fellows are chosen through a rigorous review process that recognizes significant contributions to the fields of public administration and public policy and their commitment to improving government effectiveness and public service.
“Gordon and Zeemering’s election to the National Academy of Public Administration is a significant honor and recognition of their outstanding leadership at the University of Georgia,” said Ron R. Walcott, interim senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. “We are proud of the positive impact of their work on local, state and federal governance.”
Rob Gordon
Gordon serves as director of the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach. With more than 20 years of public service experience, he has built a distinguished career at the intersection of public administration, governance and public finance, demonstrating sustained leadership and measurable impact on local, state and federal government effectiveness.
As director of the Institute of Government, Gordon leads one of the nation’s oldest, largest and most comprehensive university-based public service organizations, which delivers applied research, technical assistance and training to government officials that directly inform policy decisions and strengthen capacity across all levels of government.
Under Gordon’s leadership, the Institute of Government has launched or expanded numerous programs designed to serve the state of Georgia and its communities, including the Georgia Workforce and Economic Resilience Center, the Georgia Data Innovation Hub and the Defense Community Resilience Program, which works directly with Georgia’s military installations and their surrounding communities to sustain military readiness and enhance community resilience. In addition, the nationally recognized PROPEL program offers an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate students to actively work with rural communities to create economic development strategies.
“I am honored to be elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to its important work,” Gordon said. “This recognition is a reflection of the extraordinary work of our faculty, staff and students at the Institute of Government, and I look forward to bringing Georgia’s experiences to the Academy and new ideas and perspectives back to our state.”
Eric Zeemering
Zeemering serves as professor and head of the UGA School of Public and International Affairs’ department of public administration and policy.
His research focuses on local governance and intergovernmental relations, including how governments collaborate to deliver public services and address complex policy challenges. He is a leading scholar of state and local government, co-editor of State and Local Government Review and has held leadership roles in both academia and public service. Before becoming department head, Zeemering directed SPIA’s top-ranked Master of Public Administration program for eight years, including a period of record enrollment, while expanding career services and professional mentoring opportunities for students.
“I am honored by this recognition,” Zeemering said. “Public administration is a rewarding field of research because we have so many opportunities to collaborate with government professionals for the improvement of public services. I look forward to contributing to the Academy’s work to advance effective, efficient, transparent and accountable government.”
Founded in 1967 and chartered by Congress, the National Academy of Public Administration is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides expert advice to government leaders and works to advance effective, efficient, transparent and accountable governance. The 2026 Fellows will be formally inducted during the Academy’s National Conference in Washington, D.C., in November.
UGA NAPA Fellows include:
- Hal Rainey (2003; emeritus)
- Laurence J. O’Toole (2006; emeritus)
- Katherine Willoughby (2013)
- Andrew B. Whitford (2014)
- Bradley Wright (2015)
- Edward Kellough (2016)
- Gene Brewer (2020)
- Matthew Auer (2023)
- Rob Gordon (2026)
- Eric Zeemering (2026)
“The Academy helps leaders achieve a more effective, efficient, transparent and accountable government. This group of incoming Fellows represent excellence in public service from around the country and will help us achieve our mission,” said James-Christian Blockwood, president and CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration.