Dr. Harvey White, who leads the University of South Alabama's Center for Healthy Communities, has been elected vice-president of the American Society for Public Administration. After completing this yearlong term, White will move on to serve as president-elect of the group next year and as its president in 2007.

"I'm elated and gratified with the opportunity to serve the profession in this capacity," White said. "It is a vote of confidence. I look forward to serving and view this as a special honor and a privilege."

Founded in 1939, the American Society for Public Administration serves as an advocate for great effectiveness in government and new ideas that can improve the quality of life for people worldwide.

In addition to his position as director of the USA Center for Healthy Communities, White serves as an adjunct professor of public health and preventative medicine at USA's College of Medicine. He also acts as special assistant to USA's President Gordon Moulton and to Vice President for Medical Affairs Robert Kreisberg. Since joining USA in 2002, White has continued his role as associate professor of public and international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.

White has been a member of the American Society for Public Administration for more than 20 years. He served as program co-chair for the group's conference in Portland, Ore., in 1994, and he has worked on its endowment board for several years. He was elected as a fellow to the National Academy of Public Administration in 2000.

White received his bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from North Carolina Central University in 1972. He went on to earn a master's degree in administrative services from East Carolina University in 1978 before receiving his Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill in 1985.