MPA student Riley Crain has been named to the American Society for Public Administration’s
(ASPA) 2026 Class of Founders’ Fellows, the organization’s premier program recognizing
outstanding emerging leaders in public service. 
Selected through a competitive national review process, Fellows present their scholarship at the ASPA Annual Conference, receive professional development and networking opportunities, and are paired with a distinguished scholar or practitioner who serves as a mentor during the Fellowship year.
This year’s 35-member cohort is the most diverse in the program’s history. Riley is the only CSU representative selected for the 2026 class.