Honoring a Legacy of Excellence, Equity, and Service in Public Administration Education
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) and the International Association of Schools and Institutes of Administration (IASIA) deeply mourn the passing of Dr. Blue Wooldridge, a revered scholar, educator, and lifelong advocate of diversity, equity, and excellence in public administration.
With an academic career spanning more than five decades, Dr. Wooldridge served as Distinguished Career Professor and Professor Emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), where he shaped generations of public servants and scholars. He was also a dedicated leader within IASIA, notably as Project Director of Working Group I on Education and Training, a flagship initiative regarded as the “heart” of the Association. Through this role, he helped raise global standards for the training of public administrators and advanced the mission of building high-performing schools and institutes of public administration worldwide.
In 2019, Dr. Wooldridge concluded his sixth consecutive three-year term on the IASIA Board of Management, marking nearly two decades of dedicated leadership and service to the organization. He also served as Project Director of IASIA Working Group I and as an IASIA Board of Management member for North America region. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the organization, he received the Donald C. Stone Award in 2020.
Dr. Wooldridge also played a pivotal role in ICAPA, serving as Acting Chair of the Accreditation Committee during a critical leadership transition and as a member of the ICAPA Board of Management. His involvement with ICAPA dates back to its inception, when he participated in the IASIA/UNDESA Taskforce that established the original Standards of Excellence.
Beyond IASIA, Dr. Wooldridge’s professional affiliations included NAPA, ASPA, and NASPAA. His legacy includes over 150 scholarly works, and his passion for social equity and ethical governance was evident in every facet of his work, from research and teaching to mentoring and institutional leadership.
The IIAS and IASIA communities extend our heartfelt condolences to Dr. Wooldridge’s family, colleagues, and students. His wisdom, generosity, and unwavering commitment to fairness and excellence in public service will continue to inspire us all.
18 August 2025
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) is delighted to share an exclusive video interview with its newly elected President, Srinivas Voruganti. In this insightful conversation, President Voruganti outlines his vision, priorities, and strategic plans to guide IIAS toward becoming a future-ready, inclusive, and globally connected institution.
The EGPA 2025 Conference is just around the corner, and participants joining us in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, from 26 to 29 August 2025 can enhance their experience by downloading the official EGPA 2025 Conference App. The mobile app is designed to enrich attendees’ conference experience by providing tools to plan personalized schedules and receive live notifications throughout the event.
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS) was proud to participate as a co-host of the Lien International Conference on Good Governance 2025, held on 21–22 July 2025 in Singapore. The conference gathered over 300 participants from around the world, including scholars, practitioners, and policy leaders, fostering a global exchange on resilient, inclusive, and future-ready governance.