I am currently 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)
M.P.A. from Eastern Michigan University (2005)
B.A. in Music Performance with a concentration in Human Services from Albion College (1999)
M.P.A. from Eastern Michigan University (2005)
B.A. in Music Performance with a concentration in Human Services from Albion College (1999)
Experience and Skills
STATA (proficient)
SPSS (proficient)
Atlas.ti (proficient)
NVivo (intermediate)
Google Suite (proficient)
Microsoft Office (proficient)
R (intermediate)
Qualtrics (intermediate)
ArcGIS (novice)
SPSS (proficient)
Atlas.ti (proficient)
NVivo (intermediate)
Google Suite (proficient)
Microsoft Office (proficient)
R (intermediate)
Qualtrics (intermediate)
ArcGIS (novice)
Professional, Community and University Service |
Secretary/Treasurer, Urban and Local Section, American Political Science Association
Scholar Development Editor, Journal of Urban Affairs
Associate Editor, Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs
Former Chair- City of East Lansing Housing Commission
Former 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, Publius, Journal of Race, Ethnicity and the City, Choice, State and Local Government Review, Cities, Journal of Public Policy, and Journal of Urban Affairs, and American Political Science Review.
Scholar Development Editor, Journal of Urban Affairs
Associate Editor, Journal of Public and Nonprofit Affairs
Former Chair- City of East Lansing Housing Commission
Former 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, Publius, Journal of Race, Ethnicity and the City, Choice, State and Local Government Review, Cities, Journal of Public Policy, and Journal of Urban Affairs, and American Political Science Review.