Who or what inspired you to pursue a career in academic administration?
My mother, Imogene Goodyear, was very influential in my career choice. She was a teacher and held a strong belief in “never stopping learning.” She spent the early part of her life in the south and had strong belief that education was the key to the struggle of civil rights being successful. She inspired me to make teaching and learning my life’s mission.
What is your favorite class you have ever taught or taken and why?
Perennial Problems of Philosophy which I took as a freshman in college. The class focused on the changing conditions of humans and our ability to use knowledge to address societies problems.
What advice would you give to those interested in pursuing a career in public administration or public affairs?
I think it is critical to have a sense of your own personal mission and that mission relate to your career choice. Being a public servant is not easy but hold great rewards for those who are anchored in mission. I have also found four values (that I teach in my classes) have become my guiding principles when making decisions. They are accountability to the public, efficiency and effectiveness of government action, individual rights, and social equity. In my experience, discussion and analysis of these values provides a powerful means of building consensus with making decisions.
What area of public policy interests you the most and why?
Social equity is a strong interest of mine, particularly the actions that can be taken to address the inequities in our society. I grew up in a feminist household and I am sure that informs my interest. I am excited to be part of the NAPA Social Equity Conference in 2023 which will focus on Society Equity in Action.
If you could have dinner with 3 people, who would they be and why?
Gloria Steinem due to her leadership in the feminist movement and her skill at writing. Paul Tillich, the theologian, his writings on the nature of God have always spoken to me as being fundamental to our understanding of our interrelationships. Zora Neale Hurston would be the third because she was such an amazing writer about experience and story. I would love to hear a conversation among the three of them about how we can bring out the best in all human beings.
What is your favorite cuisine?
For me it is Italian all the way, especially eating Italian in Italy but Pasty’s Restaurant in New York City is a pretty good substitute for being in country.
What is your favorite hobby or activity that you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love to read history and also love watching golf. I have been to five of the The Open Championships in the UK. Golf combines great competition with great scenery. Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries in the world in my view.
What is the best movie you have seen?
While not the best storyline, I loved the Electric Horseman because it had two of my favorite actors (Robert Redford and Jane Fonda), my favorite musician (Willie Nelson), my favorite animal (horses), and fabulous scenery from southern Utah. What could be better than that combination?
Who in your life has been an influential mentor or inspiration for you?
My first boss as a professional librarian, Dana C. Rooks, has been my most influential mentor. She was passionate about libraries, strategic in her ideas, and persistence in her development of the library and the librarians who worked for her. She knew the right combination of letting me, as a young professional, run with my ideas while at the same time teaching me the reality of the profession.
What was your dream job as a child?
Since I was a book reader, librarianship always appealed to me, but I also loved horses and wanted to become a steeplechase rider. I ended up in librarianship and looking to public administration as a way of learning how to make libraries more effective. I have never regretted my decision even though I was never able to pursue a career with horses.
Marilu Goodyear, is the Interim Director of the School of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Kansas. Prior to her current role she has served the University of Kansas in three major administrative roles: Associate Vice Chancellor KU’s Edwards Campus in suburban Kansas City (2013-2019), Director of the School of Public Affairs and Administration (2007-2014), and as Vice Chancellor for Information Services and CIO in which she led all campus-wide information technology and library services (1999-2005). Her research areas are organizational change and cybersecurity leadership and workforce issues. She has served on four NAPA panels, mostly recently in the area of national cybersecurity workforce issues. She is an experienced organizational change consultant in higher education and health care related settings.