I am currently a professor of Public Administration at the University of Memphis. From 2021-2025, I was the inaugural director of the PhD in Urban Affairs at the University of Memphis. In the Urban Affairs program, I designed and taught the following courses: Urban Policy and Theory, Epistemologies of Social Science Research, Exploration of Urban Research and Theory, Survey of Advanced Quantitative Methods, and the Collaborative Urban Research Studio for the doctoral program. As of the fall of 2026, I will be the incoming chair of the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration. In the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration, I teach courses in Public Budgeting.
Prior to moving to the University of Memphis, I was the MPA Program Coordinator for the NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration program at Grand Valley State University in the School of Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration. While there, I was promoted to Associate Professor 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 has explored the impacts of natural and man-made disasters on economic development in cities and states, as well as the interrelationships between nonprofit organizations and local governments as they navigate long-term collaborative partnerships. I have also conducted research on tax increment financing and its impact on economic development. Currently, I am researching the interplay of party capability theory in federal systems cross-nationally (Canada, Australia, and the United States).
Right now, I'm working on a book manuscript with Dr. William Myers (University of Tampa) on patterns of municipal litigation before the Supreme Court, which is under contract at Temple University Press (estimated publication in 2027). I am also working on a second book manuscript on patterns of economic and community development under black mayoral leadership in Memphis and Shelby County, TN.
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 |
Book Review Editor, Publius
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.