David H. Rosenbloom is Distinguished Professor of Public Administration Emeritus at American University in Washington, DC. He is best known for research on public administration and law and framing public administration as interaction among managerial, political and policy, and legal perspectives. Rosenbloom has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Budget on his historical research on Congress. Rosenbloom's professional profile is at: www.american.edu/spa/faculty/rbloom.cfm
Who or what inspired you to enter into public service?
My public service has been largely limited to teaching Master of Public Administration and PhD courses at public and private universities in the US and abroad. I spent a year at the US Civil Service Commission as an American Society for Public Administration Fellow and, as noted in my bio, served on the 1992 Clinton-Gore presidential transition team for the Office of Personal Management. I also worked with the New York State Commission on Government Integrity. My initial career inspiration came from faculty in my undergraduate education at Marietta College.
What is your favorite class you have ever taught or taken, and why?
My favorite class to teach was Intellectual History of US Public Administration because it provided doctoral students a lasting and strong foundation in the development of the academic field of public administration and contributed substantially to the successful careers of many. Though the course title sounds dry, it was also a lot of fun.
What advice would you give to those interested in pursuing public policy or public administration as a career?
For those intending to work in the US, gain deep personal knowledge of the constitutional, administrative, and general law relevant to your policy and administrative areas of activity and expertise. Consult but don't leave law entirely to lawyers!
What area of public policy interests you the most and why?
Initially I was most interested in public personnel administration/human resources management because it is infused with constitutional law. Eventually, this interest broadened to focus on the legal dimensions of public administration.
What is your favorite cuisine?
Hong Kong shellfish and Cantonese generally.
What is your favorite hobby or activity that you enjoy doing in your free time?
Working out, motorcycling, bike riding, fixing things around our house.
Who in your life has been an influential mentor or inspiration for you?
Professor Theodore Lowi, whose guidance during a chance meeting jumpstarted my career by leading to the publication of my dissertation, Federal Service and the Constitution (Cornell University Press, 1971). Lowi was a mentor and role model for me. Professor Zhang Chengfu was instrumental to my appointments and work in China. Without those two, my career, if any, would have been quite different.
What was your dream job as a child?
Playing professional basketball.
