Institute for Innovative Governance

Institute for Innovative Governance

Mission Statement:

The Institute for Innovative Governance @ SDSU (IIG@SDSU), housed in the School of Public Affairs, is dedicated to shaping the future of public service by fostering creativity, ethical conduct, and social equity in governance. 

IIG's Core Guiding Values

Rachel Downing of the San Diego River Park Foundation speaks to Dr Welsh Carroll’s service learning class (CJ 543: Community Resources in Criminal Justice) to learn about the roles that environmental justice organizations play in homelessness services, and how organizations develop their values and ethics around this work.

Ethics

Upholding the highest ethical standards in all our activities, promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in government.
SDSU Environmental Engineering graduate student Amira Andrews sets up engagement supplies (meals, water, hygiene products) to speak with unhoused Los Angelenos about their water, sanitation, and hygiene needs at the Skid Row Community Refresh Spot, a program of Homeless Health Care Los Angeles.

Social Equity

Ensuring that all voices are heard and that public policies and programs are designed to serve the needs of all citizens fairly and equitably.
San Diego residents participate in a San Diego City Council meeting where funding for homelessness services is discussed.

Democratic Participation

Empowering citizens to participate actively in the governance process and fostering a sense of shared responsibility for the public good.
Adriana Rios, MA (SDSU Alum ‘22, ‘24), lead mapper for the Project for Sanitation Justice, trains SDSU students to geolocate and audit restrooms for basic features, including accessibility, safety, and menstrual hygiene products.

Innovation

Continuously seeking new and creative approaches to address complex government challenges.
Merlynn Watanabe and Megan Welsh Carroll speak about their collaboration through the Project for Sanitation Justice at the 2024 National Alliance to End Homelessness annual conference.

Collaboration

Working effectively with faculty, students, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to achieve shared goals.

IIG’s Programmatic Pillars & Long Term Vision

Research and Innovation

Research and Innovation

  • Support, amplify, and conduct research on real-world challenges
  • Partner with government agencies, community organizations, and other entities to co-create and pilot innovative solutions to pressing problems
  • Disseminate findings and best practices in formats accessible to policy makers & community change agents

Education and Training

Education and Training

  • Develop and deliver educational programs to prepare new generations of public servants with the skills, knowledge, and ethics to govern effectively in the 21st century
  • Offer training programs for government employees
  • Highlight public service values in all we do

Outreach and Engagement

Outreach and Engagement

  • Foster dialogue and collaboration between and across sectors
  • Bring people together to discuss innovative solutions and learn about best practices
  • Co-sponsor efforts to promote civic engagement and empower citizens to participate in the democratic process

Join us! Check back here in September 2024 for information on the application process for joining our IIG network.

Starting in Fall 2024, we aim to achieve our mission by:

1. Engaging SDSU faculty, students, community organizations, and government agencies in collaborative research on real-world challenges and disseminating findings and best practices; 2. Educating new generations of public servants about the importance of democratic participation, ethical conduct and social equity; and 3. Fostering a culture of continuous improvement within government by promoting innovative thinking, informed decision-making, and ethical leadership.

For more information, please contact:

Student union building at sunset

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