For the second consecutive year, the Clinton School of Public Service will serve as an official host site for the 2026 NASPAA Student Simulation Competition. On Saturday, March 7, graduate students from across the world will test their leadership and crisis management skills in a high-stakes wildfire mitigation simulation.
The competition, a collaboration between the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) and Forio, connects students from member schools worldwide in a synchronized, global event.
“The NASPAA simulation is a premier example of applied public service,” said Dr. Meagan Jordan, Associate Dean of the Clinton School of Public Service. “It challenges our students to move beyond the theoretical and navigate the time-sensitive realities of interagency collaboration. By stepping into these roles, they gain a profound understanding of how resource allocation and emergency management impact community resilience during a crisis.”
This year’s computer-based simulation places students in leadership roles such as Mayor, Fire Marshal, and Community Representative. Working in teams, participants must develop a joint Community Wildfire Protection Plan, balancing the competing demands of public safety, environmental conservation, and budget constraints.
Experts at Forio developed the Wildfire Simulation using extensive real-world data to ensure the gameplay accurately reflects the multifaceted policy issues facing modern government and nonprofit leaders.
Teams will be evaluated based on their collaborative performance and the efficacy of their protection plans. Student teams are competing for global prizes of $3,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $750 for third place.
In addition to up to five Clinton School student competitors, Rachel Norris, Director of Domestic Programs, will once again serve as the on-site simulation coordinator. Dr. Robert Richards, Associate Professor at the Clinton School, will serve as one of three judges, and the remaining two judges are local and federal emergency management practitioners.
Since 2004, the Clinton School has prioritized experiential learning as a core pillar of its curriculum. Serving as a host site for the NASPAA competition underscores the school’s commitment to providing students with the practical skills necessary to lead more responsive and resilient organizations.
About NASPAA: The Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) is the global standard in public service education. It is the membership organization of graduate education programs in public policy, public affairs, public administration, and public & nonprofit management. NASPAA is the recognized global accreditor of master’s degree programs in MPA, MPP, and MPA fields.