The evolution of a university-based public service model that integrates leadership, applied research, and regional engagement in Appalachian Ohio

Becoming the Voinovich School chronicles the evolution of Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service, a pioneering institution that blends academic rigor with hands-on public engagement. Founded on the vision of political scientist Mark Weinberg and inspired by the leadership philosophy of former US senator and Ohio governor George V. Voinovich, the school has become a national model for university-based public service.

From its modest beginnings in 1976—when Weinberg was hired to build a public administration program from scratch—the school has grown into a dynamic “do tank” serving the Appalachian Ohio region and beyond. Early initiatives like the Institute for Local Government Administration and Rural Development laid the groundwork for a new kind of academic center: one that connects faculty expertise with real-world problem-solving. Through applied research, GIS analysis, leadership training, and program evaluation, the school has become a trusted convener and catalyst for change.

The Voinovich School’s mission spans five key sectors: economic development, community development, education and child wellness, environmental restoration, and health and well-being. Its work is rooted in a commitment to empowering communities, especially those facing the economic and health challenges of postindustrial Appalachia. By pairing grant-funded projects with experiential education, the school has created opportunities for students to engage directly with pressing public issues while building leadership capacity across the region.

In 2007, the center was formally renamed the Voinovich School, reflecting its expanded scope and growing impact. Over the next decade, it launched new graduate programs, raised its national ranking, and became the educational partner for the Ohio Economic Development Institute. Today, the school continues to leverage state and federal funding, private-sector partnerships, and alumni networks to address complex challenges with innovative, community-driven solutions.

This book offers a compelling account of how one university unit transformed public service education—and how its legacy continues to shape leadership and policy in and beyond Ohio.

America’s cities are increasingly acknowledged as sites of renewal and economic opportunity—but how can city leaders facing physical and financial constraints harness this positive energy to create sustainable development? The story of Cleveland in the early 1980s provides the necessary roadmap. Mayor George V. Voinovich, by drawing on the combined strengths of the public and private sectors, took Cleveland from financial default to becoming “America’s Comeback City,” and he later used the best practices he developed there to tackle state-level challenges as governor of Ohio. The public-private partnership model that Voinovich pioneered has since become the gold standard for cities seeking to maximize resources.

Using lessons from Cleveland, Voinovich developed this handbook for governments and private entities seeking a mutually enriching partnership. It is his legacy to those who will guide America’s cities to new growth and vitality.