Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the award-winning Docking Institute of Public Affairs, a dynamic public policy research institute located at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas.

Our mission is to facilitate effective decision-making among governmental and non-profit leaders. The Institute's six primary programs are: 1) Survey research, program evaluation research, public policy research, and community and economic development research; 2) Strategic planning and consulting; 3) Grants facilitation; 4) Economic and community development consulting; 5) Public administration training programs; and 6) Public affairs programming through conferences, speakers, forums, television and radio programming, newspaper columns and scholarly publications.

The staff and fellows bring specialized knowledge and experience in the areas of program evaluation, research, grants facilitation, economic development, government, natural resource issues, healthcare, business, telecommunications and education. Each person involved in the success of the Docking Institute is highly qualified to achieve excellence in the field of policy research. The Institute's long-standing commitment to western Kansas uniquely positions us to work with issues affecting rural areas, and we regularly provide our services to organizations and communities of all sizes throughout the region.

Since its founding in 1980, the Docking Institute has worked with hundreds of local, state and regional organizations, agencies and communities to assist them in charting their future success. We encourage you to explore our site to learn more about our programs and services and review our reports. Please do not hesitate to contact us to find out how we can best serve your needs.