ULV Student Named ASPA Founders’ Fellow

ULV Student Named ASPA Founders' Fellow

ASPA Founders' Fellow, Alyssa Taylor Lavalle, visits Bonelli Park in San Dimas, where she first discovered her passion for public service and now devotes her research to help develop the next generation of public sector leaders. (ULV Photo/Claudia Gonzalez)

College of Law and Public Service student recognized for leadership and mentorship research

Alyssa Taylor Lavalle, a second-year student in the University of La Verne's Doctor of Public Administration program has been selected as a 2026 Founders' Fellow by the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). The honor recognizes the next generation of public servants for exceptional academic and professional accomplishments.

"I feel very, very blessed," Lavalle, who's also a management fellow with the County of Los Angeles. "It's a huge recognition, affirming and acknowledging all the work and support I've had."

Lavalle began her career in Parks and Recreation, working with children and local community programs. "I really found a passion for public service. I got to be part of the impact first hand," Lavalle said. Her experience inspired her doctoral research on mentorship as a tool to develop the next generation of public sector leaders and safeguard institutional knowledge that has been passed down from her mentors.

She credits ULV faculty, including Soomi Lee, professor of public administration and her mentors across government for supporting her journey. Lavalle will present her research and participate in a panel presentation alongside Lee and her other master's students during the ASPA Annual Conference on March 21 and March 22 in Hollywood.