I'm honored to serve as interim dean of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Public and International Affairs. SPIA is one of the oldest schools of its kind in the country, and I've come to know it as a place where serious scholarship meets a real drive to make a difference in the world.
I come to this role as an economist whose research sits at the intersection of international and development economics, with earlier service as an economist in government. The questions SPIA takes on every day are what drew me to it: how institutions shape people's lives, how policy can close the gaps between them, and how good ideas turn into real outcomes for communities here and abroad.
Those questions are in good hands here. Our faculty are accomplished scholars and trusted public voices, sought out by policymakers and the press on issues from international security and energy policy to gender equality and local governance. Much of their work runs through our centers and institutes, from international and human security to governance, social innovation, and responsible leadership.
That momentum shows in our standing. SPIA now ranks No. 31 among the nation's public affairs schools in U.S. News & World Report, and our program in international global policy and administration ranks ninth in the country and first among public institutions for the third year in a row. Behind those rankings are people: students who come to work on hard problems and go on to lead in government, nonprofits, and the private sector, and staff whose care for our community makes SPIA the place it is.
Whether you're a prospective student, a colleague, an alum reconnecting, or a partner looking to collaborate, I'd like to get to know you. Pitt is among the country's top public research universities, and Pittsburgh a remarkable place to learn and build a career. I hope you'll reach out.
Best wishes,
Marla Ripoll
Interim Dean, School of Public and International Affairs
Meet Dr. Ripoll
Dr. Ripoll was named interim dean of the School of Public and International Affairs in 2026. An economist by training, her research lies at the intersection of international and development economics. She is a Professor of Economics and also serves as core faculty in both Pitt's Center for Latin American Studies and Global Studies Program. She earned her PhD from the University of Rochester and her BA, summa cum laude, from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Before entering academic life, she worked as a research economist at the Central Bank of Colombia and the country's National Planning Department.
Email Dr. Ripoll at ripoll@pitt.edu.