Deneen Hatmaker, professor of public policy, and Jason Jakubowksi ’99 CLAS, ’01 MPA, adjunct instructor of public policy, have been named fellows of the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), one of the highest honors bestowed on scholars and practitioners in the field of public administration and public policy.

NAPA is one of two organizations chartered by Congress to support good governance. Academy membership comprises scholars, public administrators, and former public officials elected for their significant contributions to the field.

Selection follows a rigorous review of each candidate’s contributions to public administration and policy. The 2026 class joins more than 1,000 academy fellows, including former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors, state legislators, prominent scholars, and executives.

“Professors Hatmaker and Jakubowski’s election to NAPA reflects both the strength of their scholarship and service and the depth of expertise within the School of Public Policy,” says Angela Eikenberry, professor and director of the School of Public Policy. “We are proud to see them recognized among the scholars and practitioners whose work is shaping the future of public administration.”

Hatmaker’s research examines public sector employee work experiences and behavior, most recently addressing workplace incivility. Her work has appeared in leading public management journals such as the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Public Management Review, and Review of Public Personnel Administration. She serves on several academic journal editorial boards and was previously an Associate Editor for the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory. Hatmaker has also served as the director of the MPA and MPP programs and as the chair of the Public and Nonprofit Division of the Academy of Management.

“I am honored to be elected a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. I’m truly grateful for the recognition and am eager to contribute to NAPA’s work in helping government meet the challenges ahead,” says Hatmaker. “I especially look forward to working with my fellows colleagues to advance public sector workforce excellence and government’s ability to deliver services effectively.”

Jakubowski is president and CEO of Connecticut Foodshare, the official Feeding America food bank serving Connecticut. With 125 employees and more than 6,700 volunteers, the organization distributes more than 45 million meals each year through a statewide network of more than 600 pantries and mobile distribution sites.

Throughout Jakubowski’s tenure, Connecticut Foodshare has been named a top workplace nine times by the Hartford Courant and Hearst newspapers. In 2020, he received the prestigious C-Suite Award from the Hartford Business Journal for the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association of Leadership Programs in 2019 and the Polaris Award for Visionary Leadership from Leadership Greater Hartford in 2021.

“What a tremendous honor to be elected a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration. I have always been taught that public service is a virtue — and during these difficult times, I’d argue it is more important than ever,” says Jakubowski. “I look forward to working with fellows across the country as we collectively work to promote service in the public and nonprofit sectors.”

Hatmaker and Jakubowski join several other UConn School of Public Policy scholars and alumni who are NAPA fellows, including Eikenberry; Mohamad Alkadry, professor of public policy; Amy Donahue, professor emerita of public policy; and Matt Hart ’97 JD, ’98 MPA, adjunct instructor of public policy.