The Levin College of Public Affairs and Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elaine Yi Lu as the Director of the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs beginning January 2026. Dr. Lu, a distinguished scholar and leader in public management and policy, brings more than 20 years of experience to the role, including a track record of academic leadership and success in shaping highly regarded public administration programs. 

Currently a professor and a former director in the Department of Public Management at the City University of New York-John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Dr. Lu has overseen one of the largest NASPAA-accredited MPA programs. Under her leadership, the program rose to the top ranking for public university MPA programs in New York City, as recognized by U.S. News & World Report. With the excellent support of faculty and staff, she also led efforts to secure NASPAA re-accreditation without monitoring, ensuring the program maintained the highest standards of excellence.  Their collective efforts were instrumental in advancing strategic planning, aligning the program with the evolving needs of both students and the public sector. 

Dr. Lu has made significant contributions to the fields of public budgeting, fiscal policy, and performance management through her research and publications. Her book “Public Performance Budgeting: Principles and Practice” was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Best Book Award by the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management. Her engagement with the field has earned her national and international recognition, including the Julia J. Henderson International Award in 2019. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Public Administration and the incoming chair of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management. Her leadership will help guide the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs as it continues to be a top program in urban affairs education. 

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Lu to the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs,” said Jill Gordon, Dean of the Levin College of Public Affairs and Education. “As the Levin College is ranked the fourth-best urban policy program in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Dr. Lu’s expertise and forward-thinking approach will be instrumental in advancing our long-standing commitment to excellence in urban affairs education and in preparing our students to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.” 

“I am honored to join the Levin College community,” said Dr. Lu. “I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, and students to continue the Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs’ tradition of excellence and to preparing students to address the critical challenges facing cities and urban communities.”