About – Alabama Public Service Training Initiative

About

About APSTI

APSTI was founded in January 2025 to act as a centralized hub for public servants to receive professional development and access to research while also connecting faculty who desire to collaborate with the public and nonprofit sectors for research or consulting. This effort was made possible due to support from the Office of the Provost and the Strategic Investment Fund, whose investment allows us to serve the community in several ways.

Are you a(n)...

Individual working in the public or nonprofit sector

Check out our upcoming workshops – whether you take one or a series to earn a microcredential, these short upskilling courses can address skills gaps or position you for future career growth
Nominate a peer for recognition as we seek to uncover those who demonstrate excellence in public service.
Sign-up for our newsletter to receive additional information, such as highlights from recent public service research.

Nonprofit organization or municipal leader

Consider promoting an upcoming workshop for individuals on your staff who need applicable trainings. Or, talk to us about developing a tailored training for multiple members of your organization.
Establish an internship for undergraduate and/or Masters in Public Administration students at your organization.
Consult with APSTI on a project for your organization, whether you need strategic planning, policy development, surveys, or other resources.
Recognize an outstanding member of your staff.

High School student or School Personnel

We encourage 10th-12th graders to enroll in the Future Public Service Leaders Academy.

Our Team

APSTI’s work is led by two members of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. Dr. Jones leads the Research and Consultation efforts, while Kristin is the best point of contact for all other APSTI programs. Simply reach out here so that we can best match you with a training or service.

Kristin Boggs, MSW

Director

Kristin brings 19 years of experience engaging students in higher education in community service and service learning. She helped found The University of Alabama’s Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility before coming to UAB to help start the Global and Community Leadership Honors Program. Later, she transitioned to working with graduate and professional students, serving as Director of the UAB Heersink School of Medicine’s Office of Service Learning from 2015-2018. During this time, she also founded a chapter of the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship in Alabama, eventually growing it into an independent nonprofit, serving as its Executive Director from 2018-2024.

Kristin is a licensed social worker, holding a BSW and MSW from The University of Alabama.

Peter Jones, PhD

Research and Curriculum Director

Dr. Jones received his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky in 2014. Broadly, his research focuses on the public budgeting processes and financial management of local and state governments. He also studies K-12 public schools and considers the financial ramifications of various education policy issues. His work has appeared in Policy Studies Journal, American Review of Public Administration, International Journal of Public Administration, Public Financial Management, Urban Governance, International Journal of Public Sector Management, and the Journal of Public Affairs Education.

A recipient of the 2021 College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching, Dr. Jones primarily teaches in UAB’s Master of Public Administration program, training the region’s future public and nonprofit sector leaders. He offers classes on the public budgeting and financial management, and data management. He also teaches an undergraduate course on public service.

Dr. Jones co-leads the Alabama Chapter for Scholars Strategy Network (SSN), a national organization of university-based scholars who are committed to using research to improve policy and strengthen democracy. SSN is nonpartisan and focuses on connecting academic experts with policy makers, journalists, and civic leaders so that they have the best information to craft policy. He is also a member of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama Roundtable and served on the Alabama State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

Collaborators

APSTI benefits from having partners within and outside of UAB. Each program is designed in consultation with other faculty and public service leaders in order to leverage the latest knowledge from both research and practice.