Research

Local Government Management

Research in local government management examines how municipalities, counties, townships, and special districts govern, organize services and respond to community needs. Faculty study institutional structure, administrative capacity, intergovernmental relations, consolidation and collaboration, state preemption, public engagement, AI and other disruptive technologies and the legal and fiscal conditions that shape local action. This research considers how local governments can perform effectively while navigating fragmented authority, shared responsibilities and constraints imposed by state and regional systems. 

Public Finance and Budgeting

Research in public finance and budgeting examines how governments raise, allocate, manage and account for public resources. Faculty investigate budget decision-making, revenue systems, taxation, capital planning, fiscal federalism, transparency, performance budgeting and citizen participation. This work connects financial management to broader questions of equity, accountability, institutional capacity, and service outcomes, with particular attention to the fiscal choices facing state and local governments.

Public and Nonprofit Management

Research in public and nonprofit management examines how organizations, leaders and employees navigate the challenges of serving the public. Faculty study organizational strategy and performance, human resource management, leadership, contracting organizational culture and identity, public participation, nonprofit governance and democratic accountability. Across these areas, our research asks how public and nonprofit organizations can build effective workplaces, collaborate across boundaries, make ethical decisions and remain responsive to the communities they serve. 

Sustainability Policy and Management

Research in sustainability policy and management examines how public institutions translate environmental goals into durable policies, investments and management practices. Faculty study local sustainability planning, land-use and environmental law, infrastructure and water governance, parks and recreation, intergovernmental collaboration and the effects of fiscal capacity and economic distress on implementation. This work identifies the legal, organizational and regional conditions that enable communities to advance resilience, equity and long-term public value.

Capstones and Applied Research

Capstone projects are a form of faculty-guided applied research conducted with municipalities, counties, townships, special districts, nonprofits, professional associations and state agencies. Student teams define a partner’s problem, gather and analyze evidence, benchmark practices, evaluate policies, programs, or processes and develop actionable recommendations. These projects produce useful deliverables for public-service organizations while allowing students to integrate research methods, management knowledge, and professional judgment in response to real organizational and community needs