Hometown: Stevens Point, Wis.
Degrees earned: Ph.D. in public administration, Maxwell School, Syracuse University; Master’s in Public Policy Administration, University of Wisconsin-Madison; B.A. in Political Science/Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Arrived at NIU: 2006
Classes taught: Public budgeting, intergovernmental relations, comparative public administration and the field seminar for doctoral students in public administration
What’s your mission in academia?
I’m a professional student, so I study important issues in the management of government, try to figure out how things work (or why they don’t) and then share what I learn with students in the classroom and with other scholars and practitioners in professional and academic journals and books.
How did you become interested in your subject area?
My family has a rich history of public service, and I have been involved in governance issues since junior high school.
What do students learn from you?
Most important is how to think about problems in ways that lead to discovering solutions. The first step is learning how to read critically and then how to write effectively. Both skills are first steps in learning how to think analytically.
What makes your class exciting?
Nobody can slack in my class; the reading list is demanding and the discussion is sharp and fast-paced. And I like to have fun while teaching.
What’s the best question you’ve ever been asked? What was your answer?
Why? It depends.
What kinds of things do your graduates do?
Many of my former students are now city managers, assistant city managers, finance directors for local governments, budget analysts in state budget offices and department heads and program directors for state agencies. My international students are often working in national government agencies or for nonprofits that work on local public policy issues.
What is your favorite aspect of your subject? Why?
There is a long list of issues and problems to study, so I have no prospect of being bored with my job.
What’s your current research?
I’m trying to understand how local governments cooperate to solve problems that span jurisdictions. I’m trying to develop a model for pricing eGovernment transactions for state and local government agencies. And I’m trying to understand how budget analysts in local budget offices make recommendations to city managers and city councils.
What’s a good book you recently read?
“ Gilead,” by Marilynne Robinson
Where do you go in DeKalb for a good meal?
Tommy O’s on Lincoln Way downtown has pretty good breakfast and lunch food. I don’t often eat dinner out, but the Taxco in Sycamore has great Mexican food.
What most pleases you about society today?
Young people are once again deciding to take responsibility for the world, and they are volunteering, getting involved in public policy problems and working to make the world better.
Why did you choose your first university?
I wanted a place where I could have lots of opportunities to explore courses and also get first-class professors.
Who was your favorite professor? Why?
Dr. Richard Roll: freshman year, VERY demanding. He set my standard for being a professor. There was no slacking in his class, and I came out knowing that I had grown tremendously as a person.
Why should students come to NIU?
First-class professors are easily accessible by students, and there is a smorgasbord of courses so you can explore your passion, find out how you will live your life and help change the world for the better.
What’s your best advice to students who want to succeed?
Try harder, and don’t forget to have fun.
If you weren’t teaching, what would you be doing?
I’d be a student.
What would your tombstone read?
Life was never boring.
Photos by Scott Walstrom, NIU Media Services