When it comes to strong and enduring ties to the local community, few institutions can match Suffolk University's Moakley Center for Public Management. The Moakley Center has been working with local and regional public agencies and nonprofit organizations for over 44 years, providing education, training, and research opportunities for public servants and community leaders. The Moakley Center at Suffolk University was established in 1973 when the New England Commission gave the University money to develop programs to help the public service workforce do their work more efficiently and effectively. Creating a traditional academic presence (now The Institute for Public Service), Suffolk rolled out a Master of Public Administration degree in 1975. The graduate program is nationally accredited and has over 2,200 graduates. The Moakley Center’s mission is to bridge the resources of academia with the needs of the community. Its priorities are to promote dialogue on important public policy issues, to support and advise community organizations in meeting their service missions, and to offer programs that build human capital in the public service industry.