The Dr. Mary E. Guy Distinguished Lecture series presented by the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs brings world-renowned speakers to Denver annually to participate in a forum dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the most important governance issues of the day. The series presents opportunities to connect our community to distinguished scholars and thought leaders.
The Dr. Mary E. Guy Distinguished Lecture Series is made possible through the generous support of the Dr. Mary E. Guy Endowed Lectureship Fund.
2026 Distinguished Lecture
"Politicization and State Capacity Under Trump: The Case of Direct File"
Presented by Dr. Donald Moynihan
J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy
University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy
Thursday, September 10, 2026
Networking Reception: 4:00 p.m.
Distinguished Lecture Program: 5:15-6:30 p.m.
Location
Terrace Room, 2nd floor
Lawrence Street Center
University of Colorado Denver
Dr. Donald Moynihan is one of the nation's leading scholars of public management, government performance, and administrative governance. His research examines how public institutions build capacity, respond to political pressures, and deliver effective public services. During this year's lecture, Dr. Moynihan will explore the relationship between politicization and state capacity through the case of the IRS Direct File program, offering timely insights into contemporary public administration and governance.
We hope you will join us for this timely discussion on public administration, governance, and the capacity of public institutions to serve the public effectively. As with all School of Public Affairs events, this lecture is intended to foster learning, dialogue, and thoughtful engagement with complex issues. Speakers share their own scholarly perspectives, which do not necessarily represent the official positions of the School of Public Affairs or the University of Colorado Denver.
This event is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged.
Donald Moynihan, PhD
J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy, University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy
Donald Moynihan is the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Professor of Public Policy at the University of Michigan's Ford School of Public Policy. An internationally recognized scholar of public administration and public policy, his research focuses on improving how government serves the public, particularly by reducing the administrative burdens people face when accessing public programs. He co-directs the Better Government Lab, which develops evidence-based approaches to help governments improve access to the social safety net.
Moynihan has advised policymakers and organizations including the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the World Bank, the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the OECD. His research has influenced federal policy and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Atlantic.
A recipient of the 2026 Guggenheim Fellowship and the Frederickson Award for lifetime contributions to public management, Moynihan is a past president of both the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) and the Public Management Research Association.
Mary E. Guy, PhD
Distinguished Professor, CU Denver School of Public Affairs
Mary E. Guy teaches courses on public administration, public management, organizational behavior, and human resource management. She writes about good government and what it takes to advance democratic processes. An expert on the role of emotion in public service jobs, her research has framed the way emotionally intense work demands are understood. Her research also focuses on matters of access, quality, and outcomes in public service delivery and in policy development and implementation. She is a University of Colorado Distinguished Professor, a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, and past President of the American Society for Public Administration. Prior to joining the School of Public Affairs, she held the Jerry Collins Eminent Scholar Chair at the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy at Florida State University and before that, she served as department head at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
CU Denver Security and Safety Information
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