Who we are
The Division of Governmental Studies and Services (DGSS) is a university outreach unit jointly supported by the College of Liberal Arts and WSU Extension. It serves the applied social science research needs of governmental agencies in Washington and the Pacific Northwest region. DGSS also provides support for basic research and grant-related work for faculty and graduate students of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice program.
History
DGSS was created in 1964 to serve as a subunit of the Political Science Department devoted to the provision of applied research services to federal, state, and local government agencies active in Washington State.
In 2001 the College of Liberal Arts and WSU Extension reached an agreement that combined two separate entities into a jointly-sponsored university outreach unit. Under this agreement DGSS and the Program for Local Government Education (a program funded by the W.K. Kellog Foundation and housed in WSU Extension) were merged and retained the title Division of Governmental Studies and Services. This enhancement of support and expansion of the mission of the unit has resulted in a broadened scope of activities and substantial growth in staff and applied social science research assets.
Since 1975 DGSS has produced over 150 research reports, has supported over a dozen Ph.D. dissertations, has been associated with the publication of hundreds of journal articles, and has been the recipient of over $15,000,000 in research funding.