The Institute for Public Policy and Administration was created to provide an organizational base for better utilizing the resources of Governors State University in working with citizens and their elected or appointed officials for the improvement of public policy and administration in our region. Its purpose was to offer research, service, and training in cooperation with those who serve the public.
The Institute was funded by grants, contracts, and contributions. While federal and state agencies have provided for the early development, most applied research, service, and training were offered on a contractual basis or were supported by project grants. The Institute also received significant individual and corporate financial support from contributions through the GSU Foundation.

The Institute was established in 1978 and approved by the Board of Governors of State Colleges and Universities in 1979. It was developed by Peter Colby who was appointed Director of the Institute and was also Chairman of the Division of Public Administration in the College at that time.
Some initial activities included research papers on housing, transportation, and economic development, a housing audit analysis of selected South Suburban communities, establishment of a survey research unit, and the development of five high-quality internships in various offices of government serving South Cook County.
The activities of The Institute have served to build a strong network of area government practitioners, faculty and students who work cooperatively to further their joint concern for strengthening local policy-making and implementation.