Kipp Asst Professor of the Practice

Kipp Asst Professor of the Practice
School of Public Affairs & Admin

Position Overview
The mission of the University of Kansas School of Public Affairs & Administration (SPAA) is to educate
exceptional public service professionals and generate thought leadership that provides solutions to the
most pressing global and community challenges by advancing the public good, democratic values, and
ethical public management practices. SPAA offers academic programs at the undergraduate, masters
and doctoral levels in the areas of public administration, urban planning, and law & society. SPAA is
recognized as a top School for graduate public service and the MPA program is ranked #1 in local
government management by US News and World Report. SPAA faculty are recognized for their
excellence in teaching and research. SPAA is also home to the Public Management Center, a unit
providing professional education and consulting services to public sector organizations across the
Heartland.

The aim of the Robert A. Kipp Assistant Professor of Practice is to affirm KU SPAA’s commitment to
advancing local government management through direct contributions to the MPA program, City/County
Management Fellows, and the translational application of emergent theory and practice related to 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 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 75 years.

The Robert A. Kipp Assistant 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.

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.

Job Description
Advancing Local Government Practice (20%)
 Serves as a thought leader by contributing to the generation and dissemination of practitioner-
oriented applied research to inform local government practice
 Provides expertise and guidance to shape SPAA curriculum, research and community
engagement strategy in order to reflect and benefit the local government landscape

 Serves as the SPAA liaison with local government associations such as the International
City/County Management Association (ICMA), 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 implementation of the annual Kansas City/County Management Conference
and other relevant SPAA conferences that advance the profession of local government
management

MPA Student and Alumni Advancement (20%)
 Cultivates partnership with local governments to support MPA internship placements and
mentors students through the internship experience
 Coordinates professional development and career guidance activities for MPA and graduate
students interested in local government and coordinates MPA Fellows Practitioner in Residence
cohorts
 Assists with local, regional & national SPAA student recruitment strategies to public service
degree programs.
 Serves as a liaison with the MPA Alumni (KUCIMAT) Board to support the professional
community of MPA students and alumni through networking opportunities
 Serves as a member of the MPA Program Committee, which includes admission decisions,
recognition of student achievement, and curriculum development
Teaching (60%)
 Commits to teaching excellence, bridging theory and practice that elevates local government
management through instruction in the MPA, MPA City/County Management Fellows, and
related 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 related topics.

Required Qualifications
 Masters of public administration, public policy, urban planning or related field
 Professional experience in local government management

Preferred Qualifications
 PhD in public administration, public policy, urban planning or related field.
 Experience teaching graduate courses or applying adult learning principles
Contact Information to Applicants

Diana Moore dianak@ku.edu
Additional Candidate Instruction
Please go to the KU Jobs portal and submit an application with the following materials to be considered
for this position:
 A cover letter addressing how you meet the required & preferred qualifications
 Your resume/cv
 Contact information for 3 professional references (references will not be contacted until after
candidates are notified)

Application review will begin January 10, 2025 and will remain open until the position is filled.
Application Review Begins: 01/10/2025
Anticipated Start Date: 08/18/2025
Primary Campus: University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
FTE: 1.0
Reg/Temp: Regular
Salary: $100,000
Employee Class: Faculty

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex,
national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental
status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and
activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated
to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and
KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX,
civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue,
Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.

Submit application & supporting materials through the KU Jobs website:
https://employment.ku.edu/jobs/faculty/kipp-asst-professor-of-the-practice/29336br