Dr. Jeffrey Michael, the executive director of the University of the Pacific's Center for Business and Policy Research, has been named the director of McGeorge's Public Policy programs.

Dr. Michael has taught in the law school's Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Public Policy (MPP) programs since their inception in 2016. He takes the reins from Dr. John Kirlin, who steps down as director but will continue to teach.

"We feel extremely fortunate to have Jeff Michael taking over the leadership of our MPA and MPP programs," Dean Michael Hunter Schwartz said. "Jeff has made name for himself as an economic forecaster and policy analyst. John Kirlin will continue to teach, now full time, a role that he values and at which he excels."

Dr. Michael came to Pacific in 2008 and quickly developed a reputation as an expert economic forecaster regarding Northern California issues. Under his stewardship, the Center for Business and Policy Research grew in reach and impact, successfully securing numerous grants to study the economic impact of of land use regulations and employment growth. He became a favorite of local media for his expertise and has been cited numerous times in the national press, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle. Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, NPR and PBS. 

In 2018, Dr. Michael received the Bard Environmental Education Award from the Bay Institute for his work on complex economic issues surrounding California water use, the agricultural economy, and environmental laws.

McGeorge is one of only two law schools in the country to house MPA and MPP degree programs, and the McGeorge faculty has appreciated the synergies between these degree programs and the law school’s nationally-ranked Capital Lawyering program, allowing the law school’s JD students to take MPA and MPP courses and to benefit from the insights of their MPA and MPP peers in their JD courses.

"I've enjoyed teaching in the program from the get-go," Michael said. "When the University first explored bringing more programs to its Sacramento campus, then-Associate Dean Clark Kelso and I did a feasibility study. The administration gave its enthusiastic approval, and John Kirlin brought needed credibility to our launch with his three decades of experience at the USC Price School of Public Policy."

The MPA/MPP program runs year-round. Students are able to participate at their own pace and earn a degree in as few as 18 months or as long as three years. The MPA is a part-time degree that can be completed in two years. The MPP degree program is a full-time program that requires more units. In addition to many elective courses, students can intern with public agencies and management consulting firms.