Kipp Asst/Assoc/Full Professor of the Practice

The mission of the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs & Administration (SPAA) is to educate exceptional public service professionals and generate research that provides solutions to the most pressing global and community challenges by advancing the public good, democratic values, and ethical public management practices. SPAA is a top 20 school of public affairs and highly ranked in local government management, urban policy, public budgeting, and public and nonprofit management by US News and World Report.

SPAA offers a constellation of academic programs that prepare individuals for public service through undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels in the areas of public administration, urban planning, and law & society. KU SPAA faculty are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence in teaching and research. SPAA is home to the Public Management Center (PMC), which offers professional development and consulting services to public sector organizations across the Heartland and the U.S.

The aim of the Robert A. Kipp Professor of Practice is to reaffirm KU SPAA's commitment to advancing local government management through direct contributions to the MPA program and City/County Management Fellows, and the translational application of emergent theory and practice to advance local governance. This position is unique in that it distinguishes KU SPAA as a formative experience for future leaders in local government and contributes to the intersection of local government scholarship and practice that has been the hallmark of KU SPAA's reputation as the premier institution for local government management in the nation for seven decades.

The Robert A. Kipp Professor of Practice is a partially endowed faculty position and reflects the values and commitments of the individual who was a long-serving City Manager for Kansas City, MO and dedicated civic leader. Robert Kipp espoused humility, integrity, active listening, and an unwavering belief in democracy. Mr. Kipp made mentoring the next generation of public service leaders a priority. KU SPAA is seeking a candidate with extensive local government experience interested in translating their expertise to advancing the practice of local government management and teaching the next generation of city and county leaders. The Professor of the Practice position is a non-tenured position appointed for a three-year term with opportunity for renewal.

KU's excellence is a result of the rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds of our faculty, staff, students, and colleagues from across our nation and the globe. At KU, we invest in continuous learning and growth by creating a climate where people engage in respectful dialogue and debate and support each other's success. We foster a culture of care where each person is seen, heard and valued. When people feel a true sense of belonging, we believe they are better able to reach their full potential and achieve remarkable things. The successful candidate must be eligible to work in the U.S. by the effective date of the appointment.

Teaching (80%)

• Commitment to teaching excellence, bridging theory and practice that elevates local government management through course instruction that contribute to the SPAA graduate and undergraduate degree programs.
• Leverages professional and academic expertise to serve as the lead instructor in courses on the practice of city/county management, local government administration, contemporary issues in public administration and urban planning and related topics.
• Supports professional development, career guidance, and mentorship activities for the MPA and graduate students interested in local government.
• Provides expertise and guidance to shape SPAA curriculum in the local government context.

Service (20%)

• Cultivates relationships with local government partners and institutions to promote student opportunities.
• Guides the Practitioners in Residence in their engagement with the MPA City/County Management Fellows.
• Generates practitioner-oriented publications and presentations to advance the practice of local government management.
• Serves as a thought leader by contributing to the dissemination of practitioner-oriented applied research to inform local government practice.
• Serves as the SPAA liaison with regional and national government associations such as the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA); Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), Kansas Association of City/County Management (KACM), and other local government consortiums to advance research-based local government practices.
• Contributes to the professional development enterprises offered through the Public Management Center, i.e. Kansas City/County Management Conference, Heartland Certified Public Manager program and other relevant SPAA initiatives and events.
• Provides expertise and guidance to shape SPAA research and community engagement in the local government context.

For Rank at Assistant Professor of the Practice:

• Professional work record that demonstrates expertise in public management. At least 5 years of related professional experience.
• A graduate degree in public administration or related field (Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Urban Planning (MUP), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science, etc.)

For Rank of Associate Professor of Practice:

• Professional work record that demonstrates expertise in public management. At least 7 years of related professional experience.
• A graduate degree in public administration or related field (Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Urban Planning (MUP), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science, etc.)

For Rank at Full Professor of the Practice:

• Professional work record that demonstrates expertise in public management. At least 10 years of related professional experience.
• A graduate degree in public administration or related field (Master of Public Administration (MPA), Master of Urban Planning (MUP), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science, etc.)

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have the foundational knowledge and skill set required to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is based on accreditation requirements, institutional standards of academic and professional excellence, alignment with peer institution benchmarks, and contributes to the credibility and effectiveness of the role within the university community.

Dr. Heather Getha-Taylor
hgtaylor@ku.edu

Commensurate with experience

Thursday December 17, 2026

Wednesday August 18, 2027