I am the director of the PhD in Urban Affairs at the University of Memphis. Prior to taking this position, I was the MPA Program Coordinator for the NASPAA accredited Masters of Public Administration program at Grand Valley State University in the School of Public, Nonprofit and Health Administration where I was promoted to Associate Professor of Public Administration in 2017. At GVSU, I taught undergraduate and graduate courses in local politics, public policy and public administration, as well as a course in international and comparative administration for the university's general education Globalization theme cognate.
My research looks at the impacts of natural and man-made disasters on economic development in cities and states. I also research tax increment financing and its impact on economic development, the interplay of party capability theory in judicial systems cross-nationally, and explore the interrelationships between nonprofit organizations and local governments as they navigate long-term collaborative partnerships.
Education
Ph.D in Political Science from Michigan State University (2011)
Masters of Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University (2005)
BA in Music Performance with a concentration in Human Services from Albion College (1999)
Masters of Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University (2005)
BA in Music Performance with a concentration in Human Services from Albion College (1999)
| Downey CV |
Experience and Skills
STATA (proficient)
SPSS (proficient)
Google Suite (proficient)
Microsoft Office (proficient)
R (intermediate)
Qualtrics (novice)
ArcGIS (novice)
SPSS (proficient)
Google Suite (proficient)
Microsoft Office (proficient)
R (intermediate)
Qualtrics (novice)
ArcGIS (novice)
Professional, Community and University Service |
Associate Editor, Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs
Former Chair- City of East Lansing Housing Commission
Board Member - Voters Not Politicians
Member- Urban Affairs Association
Member- American Political Science Association
Member- American Society for Public Administration
Member- Southern Political Science Association
Member-International City/County Managers Association
Reviewer- Urban Affairs Review, American Public Administration Review, Choice Reviews, Cities, Journal of Public Policy, and Journal of Urban Affairs
Former Chair- City of East Lansing Housing Commission
Board Member - Voters Not Politicians
Member- Urban Affairs Association
Member- American Political Science Association
Member- American Society for Public Administration
Member- Southern Political Science Association
Member-International City/County Managers Association
Reviewer- Urban Affairs Review, American Public Administration Review, Choice Reviews, Cities, Journal of Public Policy, and Journal of Urban Affairs