Susannah Bruns Ali

Susannah Bruns Ali is an Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Florida International University's Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs. She holds a Ph.D. and M.P.P. from American University and a B.A. in Art History & Archaeology from the University of Maryland. Her research examines how political environments influence public sector employees' career choices, with a focus on federal workforce turnover and retirement planning. Dr. Ali has held roles at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and a human services nonprofit, bringing practical policy experience to her academic work.

Her awards include the Presidential Management Fellowship, Presidential Letter of Commendation, and the DHHS Secretary’s Award for Distinguished Service. She has authored over 10 peer-reviewed articles in journals like Public Administration Review and Public Personnel Management, exploring topics such as gender differences in public procurement turnover and tactics for effective public deliberations.

• Educations:
  • Ph.D. in Public Administration & Policy, American University (2014)
  • M.P.P. in Public Policy, American University (1999)
  • B.A. in Art History & Archaeology, University of Maryland (1996)
• Research Grants:
  • NIGP Institute for Public Procurement grants ($20,000 total) on public procurement officer salaries and turnover factors
  • Strategic Planning for Surfside, FL ($5,000)
• Service:
  • Chair of multiple dissertation committees
  • Member of FIU’s Rhodes/Marshall and Truman Scholarship committees
  • Reviewer for major journals like Public Administration Review and Public Management Review

Dr. Ali’s work bridges academia and practice, with ongoing projects on STEM retention in federal agencies and voter turnout through election facilitators. She teaches courses on public sector human resources, organizational development, and policy implementation.