After decades of shaping public administration and policy education, Dr. Phillip Cooper, the Douglas & Candace Morgan Professor of Local Government at Portland State University, is transitioning into retirement—but not retreat. In a wide-ranging interview, Dr. Cooper offered thoughtful reflections on his career, the Hatfield School of Government, and the enduring values that define impactful public service.
Choosing Portland State: A Strategic and Values-Based Decision
Dr. Cooper’s decision to settle at Portland State often puzzled observers. After holding prestigious positions and an endowed chair at other universities, why choose a public institution in the Pacific Northwest? His answer is rooted in respect for Portland State’s national stature and its unique role in local government innovation. "People look to the Hatfield School to play a leading role in public administration," he explained. Long before moving to Oregon, Dr. Cooper and Professor Claudia Vargas frequently traveled to the region for research and consultation, drawn by the creativity and forward-thinking of local government leaders.
His mission was clear: to help build a robust local government program, one that would prepare students for impactful careers and support practitioners in the field. With limited regional focus on local government education at the time, Portland State presented an opportunity not just to teach but to fill a void.
Building a Community of Practice
As the first Douglas & Candace Morgan Professor of Local Government, Dr. Cooper helped institutionalize a specialization that transcended academics. The Hatfield School's program is now recognized as a national leader, thanks in large part to its deep connections with organizations like the Oregon City/County Management Association (OCCMA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
“We’ve built a fully engaged program where students are involved from the beginning in professional development,” he said. He proudly noted that Oregon has produced three recent presidents of ICMA, reflecting the region’s exceptional contributions to public service leadership.
Scholarship That Crosses Boundaries
Dr. Cooper’s scholarship defies conventional academic silos. With writings spanning administrative law, sustainable development, local governance, and public policy tools, his work emphasizes the “theory-to-practice” connection. He intentionally rotates among fields to stay current and connect with diverse practitioner communities.
He recalled advice from his mentor, Dwight Waldo, who encouraged him to study corporate law despite his public sector focus, an experience that profoundly shaped his interdisciplinary perspective. “Boundary-spanning work is not just important, it’s necessary,” Dr. Cooper emphasized. “Today’s problems don’t respect academic divisions.”
One of Dr. Cooper’s proudest contributions is his extensive public website, a curated archive of foundational policy documents and research tools. Built with accessibility in mind, the site avoids flashy visuals in favor of easy navigation, ensuring usability for people with limited broadband or disabilities. “I wanted it to be a source of original information, not opinion,” he said. The site continues to serve students, scholars, practitioners, and the general public across the globe.
Teaching with Passion and Purpose
When asked what students have taught him, Dr. Cooper was quick to answer: "Pretending to be profound doesn’t help anyone learn.” He believes in teaching with authenticity—allowing space for humor, humility, and humanity while maintaining high standards.
His classes are known for rigor, but also for vitality. "Policy tools are like the anatomy and physiology of public policy,” he explained, turning abstract content into something living and relatable. “If those tools don’t work together, the system doesn’t survive.”
For Dr. Cooper, what truly sets the Hatfield School apart isn’t just its programs or faculty, it’s the values it instills. “Any university can teach techniques. Not all institutions cultivate values rooted in service and leadership,” he reflected. Inspired by Senator Mark Hatfield’s legacy, Dr. Cooper emphasized the importance of producing public servants who are not just competent, but compassionate and principled.
He urges future scholars to stay open to ideas, disciplines, and unexpected paths. At Portland State, students are encouraged to design their own scholarly journeys, supported by diverse, interdisciplinary dissertation committees and a faculty that values intellectual freedom.
Looking Ahead
Despite retiring, Dr. Cooper has no plans of slowing down. He remains a Senior Fellow with the National Academy of Public Administration, serves on standing panels, and continues contributing to national and local organizations. He also recently worked on a team studying the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs.
"There’s still too much to do," he said with a smile. Echoing the words of conductor Arthur Fiedler, he quipped, “He who rests, rots.”
What drives Dr. Cooper isn’t recognition, it’s impact. “The important thing isn’t whether they remember your name,” he said. “It’s whether the ideas live on.” And for many students, like the interviewer Webby Irfan, they do. Through textbooks that become lifelong companions, through mentorship that echoes into careers, and through a website that offers free access to critical knowledge, Dr. Cooper’s legacy is woven into the fabric of public service education.
As Portland State and the Hatfield School move forward, they carry with them not only the programs Dr. Cooper helped shape, but the values, curiosity, and commitment he embodied throughout his remarkable career.