New Leader Named for Public Affairs Program

Dr. L. Douglas Kiel has taken over as head of the Public Affairs Program in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences, succeeding Dr. Douglas Watson, who directed the program for four years.

Kiel is a professor of public affairs and administration and has been at UT Dallas for 23 years. 

During Watson’s tenure, the Public Affairs master’s and doctoral programs saw tremendous growth. The first “Master of Public Affairs in City Hall” cohort, made up of 17 city employees from Plano, Garland, Richardson and Dallas, graduated from the program, and the Institute of Public Affairs was created to promote community outreach.

“Through Doug Watson’s leadership, our program has improved in more ways than I can express,” said Kiel.

Watson stepped down from the role to focus on teaching, research and assisting his students with their dissertations, but he confident that he is leaving the strong program in capable hands and that it will be an easy transition.

“We can be proud of where the UT Dallas Public Affairs Program stands locally, regionally and nationally,” said Watson. “Doug Kiel is an outstanding faculty member who will use his wisdom, experience and management expertise to provide the proper direction to the program.”

His numerous publications are cited in more than 100 different academic journals. Academic journals from fields as diverse as public administration, business management, geography, psychology, music and nuclear science cite Kiel’s works. Beyond his administrative and scholarly activities, he conducts management and leadership training through both the Institute of Public Affairs and the Leadership Center in the School of Management.

Kiel has twice previously served as the program’s head. It was under his leadership that both the Public Affairs master’s and doctoral programs began. “I do not expect any major changes. Our programs are in very good shape,” said Kiel.

Dr. Randy P. Battaglio will assist Kiel as assistant program head for advising and enrollment, and Dr. Jeremy Hall will serve as assistant program head for performance management.